Why Use Equine Craniosacral?
Cranial Compression
Domesticated horses are subject to many pressures on their cranial bones due to bits, nosebands, tie-downs, draw-reins, halters, dentistry, pull-backs, accidents, injuries, and surgery. Trauma and/or repeated stresses on cranial bones cause compression at otherwise flexible sutures, the places where cranial bones meet. When suture fluidity is compromised, pressures increase within the cranium and can lead to performance and behavioral issues. Behaviors such as headshaking, teeth grinding, holding the tongue between the teeth or outside of the mouth, head or ear shyness, spookiness, and temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder are all associated with cranial compression. Imbalances in cranial bones can also affect movement patterns, affecting the fluidity and symmetrical movement of the large joints of the hindquarters (hips, stifles, and hocks).
Equine craniosacral work can help restore cranial bone movement with effects that translate throughout the body.
Domesticated horses are subject to many pressures on their cranial bones due to bits, nosebands, tie-downs, draw-reins, halters, dentistry, pull-backs, accidents, injuries, and surgery. Trauma and/or repeated stresses on cranial bones cause compression at otherwise flexible sutures, the places where cranial bones meet. When suture fluidity is compromised, pressures increase within the cranium and can lead to performance and behavioral issues. Behaviors such as headshaking, teeth grinding, holding the tongue between the teeth or outside of the mouth, head or ear shyness, spookiness, and temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder are all associated with cranial compression. Imbalances in cranial bones can also affect movement patterns, affecting the fluidity and symmetrical movement of the large joints of the hindquarters (hips, stifles, and hocks).
Equine craniosacral work can help restore cranial bone movement with effects that translate throughout the body.
Equine cranial sutures
This photo of an equine cranium shows the sutures (indicated by red arrows), which are the locations where different cranial bones meet. In a live animal, the sutures are living, flexible points of movement between bones that allow for elasticity, fluid flows, and protection from impact. Cranial compression results when these sutures are jammed together, inhibiting their movement and resulting in compression of the nerves, tissues, and fluid flows.
Craniosacral work helps release cranial compression and restore fluid movement between cranial bones, thereby relieving pain and restoring normal function.
Craniosacral work helps release cranial compression and restore fluid movement between cranial bones, thereby relieving pain and restoring normal function.
Cetacean cranial sutures
Because of its large size, this whale cranium clearly illustrates the interdigitation of cranial sutures (indicated by red arrows). In a live animal, these interdigitations are alive and plastic, allowing for slight movements of the cranial bones in response to fluctuations in cerebrospinal fluid and cranial pressures.
Equine atlanto-axial joint
This photo shows the atlanto-axial joint (C1-C2) of the horse. This is the joint closest to what we call the poll. Difficulty flexing at the poll often indicates tightness in the jaw and in the temporal-mandibular joint. These problems can be caused by or exacerbated by bit pressure, noseband pressure, pull-backs, traumas, or dentistry. Studies of bit pressure estimate that each rein can generate 132 pounds of force on each side of the horse's jaw, more if the horse resists the rein pressure (Gerd Heuschmann Tug of War). This force translates into strain on the temporal-mandibular joint and the atlanto-axial joint, as well as in the bones, muscles, and connective tissues of the head, neck, and back.
Equine craniosacral work helps release tension in the jaw and poll area, allowing greater freedom of movement and easing areas of chronic pain.
Uneven Weight Distribution
Another common concern for both pleasure and performance horses is overloading on the forehand. Horses carrying the majority of their weight on the forehand will stress tendons, ligaments, and the laminar structure of the hooves. This forward shift in balance also rotates the shoulders, straightening the shoulder angle and inhibiting free movement of the forelegs while straining the lower back and pelvis. Horses compensate for this overloading by standing with their forelegs behind the shoulder, projecting the head and neck forward and away from the body in order to maintain balance. Overuse of the forehand results in underuse of the hindquarters, compromising propulsive and stabilizing power. The imbalance between front and hind ends can be seen in horses with weak toplines, high and steeply angled croups, sickle hocks, locked stifles, or severe pastern angles.
Equine craniosacral can help by encouraging postural alignment, thus permitting redistribution of weight between fore- and hindquarters, freeing areas of tension and compression and improving posture and quality of movement.
Another common concern for both pleasure and performance horses is overloading on the forehand. Horses carrying the majority of their weight on the forehand will stress tendons, ligaments, and the laminar structure of the hooves. This forward shift in balance also rotates the shoulders, straightening the shoulder angle and inhibiting free movement of the forelegs while straining the lower back and pelvis. Horses compensate for this overloading by standing with their forelegs behind the shoulder, projecting the head and neck forward and away from the body in order to maintain balance. Overuse of the forehand results in underuse of the hindquarters, compromising propulsive and stabilizing power. The imbalance between front and hind ends can be seen in horses with weak toplines, high and steeply angled croups, sickle hocks, locked stifles, or severe pastern angles.
Equine craniosacral can help by encouraging postural alignment, thus permitting redistribution of weight between fore- and hindquarters, freeing areas of tension and compression and improving posture and quality of movement.
Notice how the top of the hindquarters is higher than the point of the withers.
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After craniosacral sessions, notice how the level of the hindquarters has dropped and how the horse is beginning to reorganize the front end.
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Notice in this photo how the horse is standing over his front legs, indicating weakness in the hindend.
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After craniosacral sessions, the horse stands more freely in the front, with the hind quarters showing more fullness and connection.
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Notice the tension in this horse's stifle, which is associated with her high croup angle.
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After craniosacral sessions, the stifle has unlocked and the croup angle has opened. Also notice how glossy her coat became and how her body reorganization has filled out her ribcage (photos taken on the same day).
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Concerns equine craniosacral work may help address:
· stiffness at the poll
· difficulty bending through the ribcage and/or completing lateral work
· difficulty balancing during transitions or trouble holding leads
· overloading the forehand and failure to engage the hindquarters
· excessive fatigue or "shutting down" during work
· recovery from surgery, injury, trauma, or dentistry
· head shaking, head tossing, nose rubbing, headshyness
· stomach ulcers and stress
· anorexia, depression, anxiety
· saddle soreness and girthiness
· bucking and excessive spookiness
· teeth grinding and tongue prolapse
· cribbing and mouthiness
· temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
· kissing spine syndrome and hunter’s or jumper’s bump
· difficulty bending through the ribcage and/or completing lateral work
· difficulty balancing during transitions or trouble holding leads
· overloading the forehand and failure to engage the hindquarters
· excessive fatigue or "shutting down" during work
· recovery from surgery, injury, trauma, or dentistry
· head shaking, head tossing, nose rubbing, headshyness
· stomach ulcers and stress
· anorexia, depression, anxiety
· saddle soreness and girthiness
· bucking and excessive spookiness
· teeth grinding and tongue prolapse
· cribbing and mouthiness
· temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
· kissing spine syndrome and hunter’s or jumper’s bump
