Equine Equilibrium

Ageless Wisdom for the Contemporary Horse

Acupoint: (Marma point)– a bundling of nerve and vessels located near the body’s surface whereby stimulation will access the body’s internal pharmacy to produce certain inherent chemicals and/or manipulate the flow of Qi (Life Energy) that results in a harmonious relationship between body and mind, thus relieving symptoms. Marma is the name of an acupoint in the medicine concepts from India known as Ayurveda. Ayurvedic Medicine and Acupressure originated more than 4,000 years ago, and it was the basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture that followed 1,000 years later.
Acupressure: An ancient Oriental therapy that evolved from the same roots as acupuncture and shiatsu. Finger pressure is applied to stimulate acupoints. Acupressure
Acupuncture: Ancient Oriental therapy that evolved from the same roots as acupressure and shiatsu. Thin needles are inserted to stimulate acupoints
Adjunct Therapies: those that are not within conventional medicine but are recognize for their healing benefits.
Allopathic Medicine / Conventional Western Medicine: A system of medical treatment using remedies that produce effects upon the body differing from those produced by disease. In many instances symptoms and or a mechanism of disease (bacteria, virus, protozoa, fungi, foreign object, organ/system dysfunction) is identified and medicine or ingredient is given to manage that symptom or interfere with the mechanism respectively.
Biomechanics: The science dealing with the mechanics of a living organism, especially of levers and arches of the skeleton, and the forces applied to them by muscles and gravity. Biomechanics
Body Work: A contemporary term generally used to describe therapeutic modalities.
Collagenous fibers: The flexible, fibrillar, non-elastic, connective-tissue fibers which are the commonest type. They make up the main mass of such structures as fascia, tendons, ligaments, aponeuoroses, and corium, periostea and capsules of organs, and form the fibrillar component of the intercellular substance (matrix) of bones and cartilage.
Compensatory Posture: The standing posture that results from adapting the body stance. The adaptation can be due to pain, incorrect shoeing, subtle injuries to muscles, tendon, ligaments, housing conditions, blankets and improper training.
Conformation: The physical appearance and outline of a horse as dictated primarily by bone and muscle structures. Blemishes and unsoundness are included. There are two methods of evaluating conformation: subjective and objective. It is impractical to use a single standard of bodily perfection or to specifically define ideal or normal conformation because the guidelines are dependent on the classification, type, breed, and intended work use of the horse. Therefore, a conformation evaluation must relate to function.
Contraindication: A symptom, indication, or condition in which a remedy or a method of treatment is inadvisable or improper.
Disease: A word used by conventional western medicine to describe an interruption, cessation or disorder of body functions, systems or organs. A morbid entity (bacteria, virus, protozoa, and fungi) characterized by at least two of these criteria: 1) recognized etiologic agent(s), identifiable group of symptoms and signs, or 2) consistent anatomical alterations. Literally it means the opposite of ease, when something is wrong with a bodily function.
Equestrian: A term which historically has meant a person of horsemanship. The term today now relates to those persons who focus their interest in horses on the riding/driving discipline.
Equilibrium: 1) a stable situation which forces cancel, balanced 2) the equality of distribution such as counterbalance, conformation, 3) a chemical reaction and it’s reverse proceed at equal rates, 4) a sensory system located in structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head by labyrinthine senses, vestibular sense; proprioception.
Equine Science: Equine Science is the study of horse as a species. It includes anatomy, physiology, evolution, domestication, husbandry, nutrition, behavior modification, training, biomechanics, farrier science, gait analysis, dental science, equine veterinary technology, and saddle fit. These subjects combined allow us to understand the horse’s challenges living and functioning in contemporary situations.
Equinologist: A person who studies all aspects of equines: horses.
Equipometry: The objective measure of conformation of defined skeletal points. The points are used to measure bone segment lengths and the demarcation of critical angles. Segment lengths and angles predispose the range of motion, thus an underlying asymmetry or misalignments can cause uneven movement, many Osteo diseases and/or lameness.
Equipometry: A measuring technique of bone segments and joint angles used in objective conformation analysis. Biomechanics
Ergonomics: The scientific study of the body in the performance of a job and the means by which performance and/or productivity may be increased.
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis: A disease complex involving exercise induced damage to muscle fibers. Classically the disease occurs in well conditioned horses after one or two days rest on a full ration and followed by a sudden increase of exercise duration. Some predisposing factors can be electrolyte imbalances and/or a deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E. Clinical signs range from mild muscle cramping to severe pain, inability to move and even death in worst cases. Various names have been used to describe the condition: tying-up, azoturia, paralytic myoglobinuria, myositis, and Monday Morning Disease.
Fascia Tissue: A body tissue that gives forms to the entire body and is responsible of intercellular communication and cellular metabolism. Fascia & Myofascia
Fibril: A component filament of a fiber, as of a muscle or nerve. Fibrillar.
Fibrin: The fibrous insoluble protein formed by the interaction of thrombin and fibrinogen.
Functional Anatomy: The useful ability of an anatomical region to carry out appropriate tasks although structurally not intact.
Gait Abnormalities / Gait Defects: Movement abnormalities that consistently occur during regular work. Most evident is the movement of a bodily appendage that does not follow its appropriate locomotion pattern and can exist without lameness. Note: Many times a poorly fitted saddle, rider imbalance, poor shoeing or footing can be the cause of these abnormalities.
Gait Analysis: A process to evaluate the locomotion ability by studying the gait characteristics with consideration of objective & subjective conformation and rhythm, tempo and speed.
Golgi: Sensory nerve cells that when detect overload of a muscle, will stop the muscle’s activity to prevent damage to tissues. These cells can be stimulated by massage to relax or tonify a muscle. Myology
Healing Arts: Healing Arts includes all forms of healing directed at the body mind, and spirit. The body can be addressed through the body and/or the mind. Common bodily gateways are through the five senses via essential oils, flower essences, sound/vibrations, color, and touch. Medicinals via the digestive system include herbs, homeopaths, nutraceuticals, nutrition, pharmacology, and synthetic drugs. Body manipulation includes massage, various soft tissue and Bio-Energy modalities, chiropractic, and surgery. Bio-Energy can be addressed through the body’s physiology and the body’s electrical fields via acupressure, acupuncture, magnets, Reiki, Myofascial Release, Cranial Sacral, Rolfing, electrical stimulation, microcurrent, Mindbody, visualization, medicinals, psychology and emotional healing.
Herbology: The scientific study of herbs and their medicinal or pharmacological relevance.
Histologic changes: Have or pertaining to changes of minute structure of tissue(s) and/or cells
Holistic Medicine: Largely an approach to treatment, which may encompass conventional, as well as alternative modalities, and holistic practitioners may use many modalities in the treatment of your pet.Many people confuse "holistic" with "homeopathic;" however, homeopathy is a specific modality and a very specific mode of treatment. While many holistic practitioners may utilize homeopathy as one of several modalities, many homeopaths will not use any treatment but homeopathy. This is also true of many other alternative methods of treatment. Many practitioners who use acupuncture do not really consider themselves to be holistic practitioners, because acupuncture is the only alternative modality they use.
Homeopathy: A system, or method, of medical treatment. The most basic principle of homeopathy is "Let like cure like". What this means is that you use a substance which, in a non-affected individual, has the potential to cause the same symptom(s) one is trying to treat. The homeopathic remedy does not, by itself effect a change in the symptoms like traditional western medicine (sometimes called allopathic medicine), but rather, it works with and stimulates the bodies own defenses, or immune system, to resolve or cure the problem. The patient is assessed for the cause of the current symptom, as well as any other pertinent factors relating to the condition. In this way you are not only looking for a foreign morbid entity, but are distinguishing between simple, isolated conditions and recurrent or chronic conditions. Thus the patient’s "constitution" is considered and addressed. Using the information, a remedy is chosen which will stimulate the body to regain equilibrium.
Homeostasis: Metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes. The maintenance of steady states in the organism by coordinated physiologic processes. Thus all organ systems are integrated by autonomic adjustments to keep within narrow limits of disturbances (disease).
Kinesiology: The science of the anatomy, physiology and mechanics of purposeful muscle movement. Myology
Lameness: An indication of a structural or functional disorder in one or more limbs, neck or back that is evident in movement or in a standing position. Lameness can be cause by trauma, congenital or acquired anomalies, infection, metabolic disturbances, circulatory and nervous disorders, or any combination of these. It is important to differentiate between lameness resulting from pain and non-painful alterations in gait, often referred to as “mechanical lameness” and lameness resulting from neurologic dysfunction. It is important to note that the origin of a gait abnormality can be a lameness, but there are other origins of gait abnormalities. NOTE: Soundness does not solely refer to lameness
Locomotion: Involves the coordinated action of antagonistic muscle groups to move the limb segment and stabilized the joints against the effects of gravity and inertia. Biomechanics
Massage: The act of rubbing, kneading, or stroking superficial parts of the body with the hand or with an instrument, for therapeutic purposes such as restoring power of movement, breaking up adhesions, improving circulation or modifying nutrition. Massage
Modalities (Therapeutic): Therapeutic treatments that use touch, pressure, visual, and auditory sensations to stimulate or support the bodies healing process.
Muscle Atrophy: The wasting away of muscle tissue. This can be caused by excess pressure on to the muscles, which impedes circulation. This lack of circulation deprives the tissue of the required oxygen, nutrients and waste removal for living. The tissue dies. In many instances, health tissue is not regenerated and scar tissue remains.
Muscle Strain: A common injury that occurs when muscle fibers are over stretched or torn (strained). The injury ranges from mild to severe depending upon the number of fibers involved. Clinical signs include heat from increased circulation, swelling from fluid accumulation and pain on palpation or during movement.
Myofascia Release: A therapeutic hands-on modality developed by John Barnes which focus is on opening the adhesions that tighten the myofascia tissue. Fascia & Myofascia
Myology: The science of the nature, structure, functions and diseases of muscles. Myology
Myotherapy: A healing modality that seeks to restore health and enhance athletics and performance ability. This is achieved through various types of massage and stretching. There are different forms of massage of which I most commonly utilize both the Swedish and Sport Massage.
Objective Conformation: Evaluates the body by the actual measuring of he conformation, using defined skeletal palpation points. Biomechanics
Osteo disease: Diseases of the bones and joints.
Painful Obstructive Syndrome (POS): A Tradition Chinese Medicine term and sometimes is named Bi-Syndrome. It is due to the obstruction of Qi and Xu along the Acupoint Channels than circulate between the skin and muscles. The obstruction causes pain, soreness and sometimes numbness. Acupressure
Physical Therapy: The treatment of disease and injury by physical means, such as heat, cold, water, massage, exercise, light and electricity. In Ayurveda, Prana is word for Qi.
Posture: The position that the body holds itself. Posture is determined by the body’s response to the forces of gravity whether stationary or in motion. Good posture is defined as the body’s effortlessly holding itself erect. To do so, the body is holding itself in balance with gravity and not working against the forces of gravity. For more information visit the Rolfing Guild and read on Structural Integration. See the LINKS page Educational Institutes and Modalities Information, Rolfing.
Proprioceptive: Refers to the proprioception, which refers to the appreciation of position, balance and changes in equilibrium on the part of the muscular system, especially during movement. All muscles, tendons, and joints have receptor nerves whose function is locomotion and postural.
Qi: Pronounced ‘chee’ is a oriental term used to describe the ‘Life Energy’ of any living organism. In Ayurveda, Prana is word for Qi.
Range of Motion: A measure of the movement at a joint and/or the measure culmination of movement through more than one joint.
Repetitive Motion Injuries: Injury to a joint, tendon, ligament, muscle or other tissue caused by a repeatable locomotion or action. Typically with time off and use of pain relief medications the problem temporarily subsides and after return to normal work the problem reappears.
ROM: Range of motion. Biomechanics
Saddle Bars: A portion of the saddle tree that lies parallel to the midline, and, with the saddle positioned atop the horse lies parallel to the vertebral column. The saddle panels typically attach to the saddle bars and are responsible for the distribution of the weight of both saddle, rider and equipment atop the horses back. In traditional saddle designs the forward section of the bars typically interferes with shoulder motion and applies excessive pressure to the withers and muscle atrophy. Saddle Fit
Saddle Fit Ergonomics: The application of scientific information in a way for considering design options to ensure that the horse’s and people’s capabilities and limitations are taken into account. It integrates elements from various subjects including anatomy, physiology, psychology, riding disciplines and design. This helps to ensure that the product is ‘Fit’ for use by the target user. Saddle Fit
Saddle Tree: The rigid structure that gives the shape and size of the saddle typically not visible from the exterior.
Saddle Twist: A segment of the saddle tree that when narrow is thought to provide greater rider contact with the horse. The narrow twist is responsible for many horses hallowing the back due to the concentrated pressure in the middle of the back’s muscles. Saddle Fit
Sports Massage: Developed by Jack Meager (Masseur for the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team). It combines techniques of Swedish massage with Stress point intervention. Stress points are a result of micro-tearing of fibers and form a ‘knot’ that hold a muscle or portion thereof in spasm. This style of massage helps release stress points and facilitate peak muscles action while lowering the risk of injury.
Stirrup Bars: A connector that the stirrup leathers hang from and typically creates a narrowing of the saddles underside causing pressure on the withers and interference with shoulder motion. Saddle Fit
Subjective Conformation: Evaluates the body with visual observation. It does not include the actual measurement of the body structures.
Swedish (Traditional) Massage: Developed by combining Oriental, Middle Eastern and European folk massage. Long strokes, kneading and friction are used on the superficial layers of muscle tissue to help lengthen muscles and keep the soft tissues supple. A secondary benefit is the flushing of metabolic wastes

Equine Equilibrium · contact Van Harding · 424-228-5126 · Serving the Western States