Each equine sport affects the equine athlete in a different way. For the Working Cow horse and Western Working Horse some of those elements include hyperextension of the distal limbs, quick turns, sharp pivots on the hind end, speed, increased joint flexion, standing in the stirrups, rotation of the thoracolumbar joint and impulsion. Each of these elements affects the muscles and joints in a different way than other sports. A Professional Body worker will be able to target these muscle groups and help to provide soft tissue relief to your horse.
Muscle groups that are important to address in the Working Cow Horse and Western Working Horses include:
Gluteal muscles, Quadriceps and Hamstrings
Shoulder flexors
Leg flexors
Psoas group of muscles
Loin muscles
Wither muscles
Paraspinal muscles
Pectoral sling
Extrinsic neck muscles
Shoulder sling including serrated ventral neck and trunk muscles
Latissimus dorsi