Equine Bodywork for Beginners Module 1: The Neck from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Perform gentle but effective myofascial release techniques to relieve tension from your horse’s neck
Learn to identify 4 important muscles in the neck that every trainer should know about.
Learn about the function of different muscles in your horse’s neck
Assess the neck for healthy function or dysfunction and signs of tension

Bond with your horse through touch.
Gain insight into potential causes of dysfunction or tension within each of the muscles covered.
Read your horse’s body language so that you can work with and not against your horse!

Perform gentle but effective myofascial release techniques to relieve tension from your horse’s neck
Learn to identify 4 important muscles in the neck that every trainer should know about.
Learn about the function of different muscles in your horse’s neck
Assess the neck for healthy function or dysfunction and signs of tension
Bond with your horse through touch.
Gain insight into potential causes of dysfunction or tension within each of the muscles covered.
Read your horse’s body language so that you can work with and not against your horse!

Syllabus

Assessing the neck

Some of examples of neck assessments.

This video is about the story of this method, why this course exists, and who it is for!

Please try this technique, along with the information provided above, to gauge whether your horse is a candidate for DIY bodywork.

The rhomboid glide is a gentle form of effleurage. Effleurage is the technique that bodyworkers use to help warm up the tissue before other moves, and show the horse that they can trust your hands. It's a good way to test your horse's reactions to massage which is why I recommend giving this a go before you take a deeper dive into the course.

If your horse has a strong negative response to this gentle massage technique, I strongly recommend getting in touch with a professional to explore possible reasons for this. Often gut or hormonal imbalances can contribute to a negative response to massage, but it may also be that your horse is holding a lot of tension in their body.

If your horse has a strong negative reaction to this extremely gentle massage technique, it would likely be safer for all involved to consult an expert.

A visual guide to where this muscle is located.

Function of this muscle, a quick look at dysfunction, and some common causes of dysfunction.

Using a soft, slow stroking motion to bring awareness to the area and invite some circulation.

During the glide, you can pause anywhere that your horse appears to be holding tension, and rest your hand gently for a few seconds. Your horse can signal tension in an area by something a simple as blinking as your hand reaches a certain spot, or by getting a little more fidgety, turning to look at you, or lifting their head and slightly tensing up.

Cup your hand over the top of the neck, and slide your hand down from the ears towards the withers, pausing every ten cm to gently hold the top of the neck for a few seconds. You can build on this by adding a soft squeeze to this touch if your horse seems to enjoy it!

This touch is similar to the glide, but using the side edge of your hand to go slightly deeper. It works best if you move very slowly, and some horses may lean into this touch a little and invite you to go deeper. Start soft and build up pressure if your horse seems to enjoy it! This one may be more challenging for your horse, so please use your discretion, especially while starting out. Not all horses are comfortable with this deeper touch, so go ahead and leave it out if your horse reacts negatively to it.

Get an idea of where this muscle is located.

Gently rest your hand or both hands in one spot on the trapezius for 10-20 seconds, then move to a new part of the trapezius and repeat until you have covered the entire area.

Gently sink the tips of your fingers a few mm into the skin, and very slowly draw your fingertips across the cervical trapezius area towards the scapula. Start at the top of the trapezius near the mane, and work your way down towards the bottom of the muscle near the middle of the scapula (shoulder bone).

Get an idea for where the splenius is located and which part you can palpate directly.

Softly glide your hands over the splenius area, moving slowly. You can cover the area which is shown in the picture as not being covered by other muscles, because that is where you have direct access to the splenius. However, if you feel like repeating the movement over parts of the splenius which are partly covered by other muscles, such as the trapezius, then that's fine too. You will just not be in direct contact with the splenius muscle.

Gently rest your hand for a few seconds in one spot, then slide along a few cm, and repeat.

With your fingertips, sink in a few mm, and draw your fingers downwards, repeating over the entire area. Then do the same in an upwards direction. Moderate your pressure according to your horse's response, or leave this deeper touch out entirely if your horse is not ready for it.

Using the side edge of your hand, work through the tissue, moving in the direction of the withers.

Gently stroke your hand over the entire area, following the direction of the hair and moving slowly.

Cover the brachiocephalic with your whole hand starting behind the halter, slide down towards the shoulder, pausing every 5 to 10 cm to gently push the skin forwards in the direction of the beginning of the muscle.

Softly sink your fingertips in and draw them along the length of the muscle from behind the halter towards the point of shoulder.

Use the edge of your hand to go slightly deeper, gently working through the tissue by sinking in softly and sliding the edge of your hand down the length of the muscle from behind the halter to the point of shoulder.

Some additional techniques to release any leftover tension from your horse’s topline. A super way to close off a session!

Career center

Learners who complete Equine Bodywork for Beginners Module 1: The Neck will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Horse Trainer

A Horse Trainer works directly with horses, guiding their physical development, behavioral responses, and overall performance. This course provides a significant advantage by detailing the function of the neck in locomotion and teaching how to identify four important muscles. Understanding how to assess for tension and apply gentle, non-invasive techniques to reduce it can enhance training outcomes and prevent discomfort-related issues. Learning to read a horse's body language, a key component, enables a trainer to work with the horse's nervous system, creating lasting positive changes and deepening the bond, which is crucial for successful training. This particular module helps build a foundation in recognizing and alleviating specific neck issues that often impact performance and behavior.

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Equine Groom

An Equine Groom is responsible for the daily care, feeding, and conditioning of horses, often working closely with trainers and veterinarians. This course provides practical skills that are highly relevant for an Equine Groom, focusing on the horse's neck. Learning to identify important neck muscles, assess for tension, and apply gentle bodywork techniques directly contributes to a horse's comfort and physical well-being. The emphasis on reading a horse's body language ensures the groom can work effectively and safely with the animal, deepening their bond through touch. This specific module helps in recognizing and addressing common areas of tension that might impact a horse's overall health and performance.

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Equine Rehabilitation Assistant

An Equine Rehabilitation Assistant works under the direction of veterinary professionals or certified therapists to support horses recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions. This course is highly relevant, providing practical skills in identifying tension in specific neck muscles and applying gentle, non-invasive release techniques. Learning to assess neck function and read a horse’s body language is critical for safely and effectively assisting in therapeutic exercises and ensuring the horse’s comfort during rehabilitation. This module helps build a strong foundation in understanding physical discomfort and how gentle touch can aid recovery, directly contributing to positive outcomes. An advanced degree is often required for higher-level rehabilitation roles, but this course can be a beneficial foundation for an assistant.

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Horse Behaviorist

A Horse Behaviorist specializes in understanding, assessing, and modifying equine behavior, often addressing problematic or undesirable traits. This course provides crucial insights for a Horse Behaviorist by highlighting the link between physical discomfort and behavioral manifestations. Learning to identify tension in specific neck muscles and accurately read a horse's subtle body language signals allows the behaviorist to consider potential physical roots for behavioral issues. Understanding how gentle bodywork can relieve tension and foster a deeper bond supports a holistic approach to behavior modification, emphasizing working with the horse's nervous system. A master's degree or PhD in animal behavior or a related field is typically required for this profession.

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Animal Welfare Advocate Equine

An Animal Welfare Advocate Equine champions the ethical treatment, care, and well-being of horses through education, policy, and direct intervention. This course is highly relevant, providing concrete knowledge about equine neck anatomy, muscle function, and the impact of tension on a horse’s quality of life. The ability to perform basic visual assessments and understand horse body language empowers an advocate to identify potential welfare concerns related to physical discomfort. This practical understanding helps in articulating horse needs more effectively and advocating for humane practices that prioritize the animal's physical and emotional comfort.

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Veterinary Assistant Equine

A Veterinary Assistant Equine supports veterinarians in examining, treating, and caring for horses. This course may be useful by providing a fundamental understanding of equine neck anatomy, including the four specific muscles covered, and their function. The ability to perform a basic visual assessment for tension and recognize a horse's body language signals during handling can significantly aid in preparing horses for veterinary procedures, assisting with examinations, and observing post-treatment comfort levels. This knowledge fosters a deeper connection with the horses, improving communication and cooperation within a clinical setting, without undertaking professional bodywork.

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Barn Manager

A Barn Manager oversees the daily care, welfare, and operations of an equestrian facility. This course may be useful for a Barn Manager by providing foundational knowledge in equine neck anatomy, including the identification of four key muscles and their function in locomotion. The ability to perform a basic visual assessment for tension and understand potential causes of dysfunction allows a manager to proactively monitor horse health and comfort. Applying gentle, non-invasive techniques to relieve tension, as taught, can contribute to the overall well-being of the horses under their care and help in recognizing when professional intervention by a veterinarian or certified bodyworker is necessary.

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Riding Instructor

A Riding Instructor teaches students how to ride and interact with horses, emphasizing horsemanship and proper riding techniques. This course may be useful for a Riding Instructor by enhancing their understanding of equine biomechanics, specifically the neck's role in locomotion. Learning to identify tension in key neck muscles and read a horse's body language allows instructors to better explain how physical discomfort can influence a horse's movement and behavior during lessons. Understanding simple, gentle techniques to relieve tension can inform advice given to students for their own horses, promoting a more harmonious and effective partnership.

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Equine Volunteer Coordinator

An Equine Volunteer Coordinator manages and trains volunteers at equine rescue, therapy, or educational centers, often involving direct horse handling. This course may be useful for an Equine Volunteer Coordinator by providing fundamental knowledge about horse welfare, particularly concerning neck health. Learning to identify muscle tension, understand its causes, and read horse body language effectively helps in training volunteers on safe and empathetic handling practices. The ability to apply gentle relaxation techniques, as taught, can enhance the horses' comfort during interactions, fostering a positive environment for both animals and volunteers, contributing to a deeper bond.

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Horse Breeding Manager

A Horse Breeding Manager oversees the health, welfare, and reproductive success of breeding horses. This course may be useful for a Horse Breeding Manager by providing insights into equine neck anatomy and the importance of muscle health for overall well-being. Understanding how to identify tension in key neck muscles, assess their function, and read a horse's body language can help in recognizing subtle signs of discomfort or potential issues in mares, stallions, and youngstock. Applying gentle, non-invasive techniques to relieve tension may contribute to the comfort of the animals, particularly during critical periods, thus supporting their general health and reproductive readiness.

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Equine Study Research Assistant

An Equine Study Research Assistant supports scientific investigations related to horse health, behavior, or performance. This course may be useful for an Equine Study Research Assistant by providing a practical foundation in assessing equine neck function and identifying specific muscles. The ability to observe and interpret horse body language during data collection, particularly concerning comfort levels or responses to stimuli, can be invaluable for accurate research. While this course is foundational and does not lead to a degree, higher-level research roles typically require a bachelor's degree at minimum, with a master's degree or PhD often required for leading studies. This course can enhance practical observation skills for an assistant role.

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Equine Facility Manager

An Equine Facility Manager oversees the comprehensive operations of an equestrian center, ranging from property maintenance to horse care and client relations. This course may be useful for an Equine Facility Manager by enhancing their ability to observe and assess the horses residing at the facility. Understanding the function of the neck in locomotion, identifying key muscles, and recognizing signs of tension allows for proactive monitoring of horse welfare. This knowledge informs decisions on horse turnout, exercise, and when to recommend professional bodywork or veterinary care, ensuring a high standard of animal well-being and management within the facility.

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Equine Journalist

An Equine Journalist researches, writes, and reports on topics related to the equestrian world, including horse health, training, and welfare. This course may be useful for an Equine Journalist by deepening their understanding of equine anatomy and body mechanics, specifically focusing on the neck. Knowledge of identifying key neck muscles, their function, and common causes of tension, along with techniques to alleviate it, enables the journalist to produce more informed, authoritative, and engaging content. The emphasis on reading horse body language also provides valuable insights for articles discussing horse behavior and communication, adding a layer of authenticity and detail to their reporting.

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Equine Product Sales Representative

An Equine Product Sales Representative sells a variety of goods, such as feeds, supplements, tack, and rehabilitation equipment, to horse owners and professionals. This course may be useful for an Equine Product Sales Representative by providing a foundational understanding of equine neck anatomy and the implications of muscle tension. Knowledge of how to perform basic assessments and identify specific muscles allows the representative to better understand customer needs related to horse comfort and performance. This understanding enhances credibility when discussing products designed to support a horse's physical well-being, enabling more informed recommendations and better client relationships.

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Equine Photographer

An Equine Photographer specializes in capturing expressive and dynamic images of horses, often focusing on their conformation, movement, and interaction with humans. This course may be useful for an Equine Photographer by providing a nuanced understanding of equine anatomy, particularly the neck, and how tension can affect posture and expression. Knowledge of the function of specific muscles and the ability to detect subtle signs of discomfort or relaxation in body language allows the photographer to identify optimal moments and angles for capturing the horse's natural beauty and well-being, leading to more authentic and compelling photographs.

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