final digital interior - Flipbook - Page 74
Understanding these distinctions allows me to deliver tailored treatments that address pain,
tension, hydration, and freedom of movement in horses at all performance levels.
Thomas Myers' work on myofascial kinetic lines, especially through his Anatomy Trains concept,
has revolutionized how we understand the body's interconnectedness. His dissections revealed that
fascia isn't just a passive wrapping-it's a dynamic, communicative tissue that links muscles,
bones, and organs into functional chains.
In humans, Thomas Myers book "Anatomy Trains" describes 10 kinetic lines in human cadavers,
while equines have 11 identi昀椀ed lines dissected, isolated and described 昀爀om the Veterinary
Anatomical Institute, University of Copenhagen, with canines having 9. Each adapted to their
unique locomotor demands. These lines transmit force, maintain posture, and coordinate
movement across the entire body. As for fascia itself, it's composed of collagen 昀椀bers for tensile
strength, elastin fibers for flexibility, ground substance (including proteoglycans and glycoproteins)
that allows for hydration and nutrient exchange, and 昀椀broblasts and myo昀椀broblasts, which help
maintain and remodel the tissue. These components form a continuous web-a three-dimensional
matrix that surrounds and penetrates muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. The concept of
"slings" refers to fascial pockets that support and coordinate muscle groups, allowing for efficient
movement and load distribution. Myers' dissections have shown these slings to be anatomically
real and 昀甀nctionally significant.
A compression of the
Thoracic Ventral Serratus
Muscle (which connects the
forelimb to the body) in
Harliga爀渀assus.
Harliga爀渀assus performing
a forelimb stretch.
