Gymnastic Training and Dynamic Mobilization Exercises Improve Stride Quality and Increase Epaxial Muscle Size in Therapy Horses

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe objective was to evaluate the efficacy of gymnastic training (GYM) and dynamic mobilization exercises (DMEs) on stride length (SL) and epaxial muscle size in therapy horses. Nine cross-bred hippotherapy horses that performed three, 25-minute therapeutic riding sessions per week throughout the study period were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: a control group in which the horses were sedentary with no additional physical activity; a group that performed DMEs; and a group that performed both DMEs and additional GYM including pelvic tilting, backing, turning in small circles, and walking over a raised rail to strengthen the abdominal and pelvic stabilizer muscles. The exercises were performed 3 days per week for 3 months, with evaluations at the start and end of the study. Stride quality was assessed by measuring SL and tracking distance (TD). Epaxial muscle size was monitored by ultrasonographic measurement of m. longissimus dorsi (LD) thickness and m. multifidi (MM) cross-sectional area. Paired t tests were used to compare within groups across time, and between groups were detected using analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc test. When walking at 1.3 m/s, SL and TD at walk increased significantly (P < .05) in horses subjected to GYM. Thickness of LD did not change in any group, but cross-sectional area of MM increased significantly by 3.55 cm 2 (DME) and 3.78 cm 2 (GYM). It was concluded that GYM training improved stride quality and DMEstimulated MM hypertrophy which has been shown to improve intervertebral joint stability in other species.

Core Training and Rehabilitation in Horses

“…Evidence-based studies have shown that DMEs (baited stretches) increase the CSA of m multifidi. [20][21][22] The term dynamic indicates that the horse's musculature is actively moving the body, and mobilization implies that the joints are being moved through their full range of motion. However, the main benefit of these exercises lies in their ability to activate and strengthen the muscles that stabilize the spine rather than for enhancing flexibility.…”

“…In the second study, 20 9 therapeutic riding horses were assigned to one of 3 groups, all of which continued their normal exercise regime throughout the study. This regime consisted of giving lessons of 25-minute duration 3 times per week on alternate days.…”

“…It should be noted that the gymnastic exercises were performed at walk because this is the working gait of the therapy horses; inclusion of trot or canter may have been more effective because activation of m longissimus is greater at trot than at walk. 12,37 Horses that performed the gymnastic exercises showed significant increases in stride length and tracking length when walking at the same speed before and after the exercise program, 20 which was regarded as a specific beneficial effect for therapy horses.…”

“…[17][18][19] Because of the huge economic impact of low back pain in the human population, there has been considerable research into the function and dysfunction of the epaxial muscles; based on current evidence, horses seem to follow the same pattern of neuromotor dysfunction 15 and response to therapy. [20][21][22] Although there are many inciting causes of back pain, they tend to follow a common pathway involving changes in neuromotor control and rapid (within days) neurogenic atrophy of m multifidi at the affected spinal level on the ipsilateral side. 23 Atrophy is selective for m multifidi and does not involve other epaxial muscles.…”

“…Therefore, physiotherapeutic exercises that target m multifidi may be needed to reactivate and strengthen these muscles in horses that have had back pain, especially if the CSA of m multifidi is asymmetrical on the left and right sides. Evidence-based research has shown that dynamic mobilization exercises (DMEs) are effective for this purpose, [20][21][22] and there are anecdotal reports that other core strengthening exercises may also be useful.…”