Musculoskeletal System

What are the functions of mucles?

Movement, protection, posture/stability

A muscle fiber

Myofiber

What is inside a myofiber?

Myofibril

What are the segments of myofibril called?

Sarcomere

What are the two proteins in sarcomeres?

Myosin and Actin

Specialized, three dimensional system of connective tissue (collagen, elastin, and ground substance)

Fascia

It surrounds and supports muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and organs

Fascia

Function: structural integrity, reduces friction between muscles, and aids in force transmission

Fascia

Connects bone to bone

Ligament

Connects muscle to bone

Tendons

Decrease the angle between segments

Flexor

Increase the angle between segments

Extensor

> 180 degrees or straight line

Hyperextension

Toward the median plane

Adductor

Away from the median plane

Abductor

Around its own axis

Rotation

All movement combined (except rotation)

Circumduction

Used for propulsion (jumping and speed)

Hindquarters

Run along the spine, enabling the horse to lift its back, extend the neck, and provide stability

Back

What is the purpose of back muscles

Extension

What is the purpose of thoracic muscles?

Support and absorption

Suspend the chest between the front legs, crucial for shock absorption and carrying weight

Thoracic

What is the purpose of neck muscles?

Balance

Manage head position, balance, and directional changes

Neck

What is the purpose of leg muscles?

Flexion and extension

Operates long tendons to move the lower legs

Legs

Contains no muscles below this point on the leg

Carpus and Tarsus

What can influence the crest muscling?

Breed and sex

What does correct neck muscling indicate?

Engagement

What does an overdeveloped neck show?

Resistance

What does the cresty neck scoring system measure?

Adiposity (fat)

What can a excessively cresty neck indicate?

Metabolic issue

Reflects strength, athletic ability, and suitability

Shoulder and forearms

Promotes stride reach

Shoulder

Supports propulsion, power, endurance

Forearm

Largely affected by training and diet

Back and topline

Reflects strength, balance, and correct conditioning

Back and topline

Indicates a lack of fitness, improper training

Flat and uneven back

Indicates pain

Sway back

Can influence muscling on the back

Saddle fit

What does topline score measure?

Back muscle

Power source of the horse

Hindquarters

What does gluteal strength create?

Impulsion

Asymmetry of the hindquarters are an indication of what?

Lameness or underlying injury

Wasting of the hindquarter might indicate what?

Nerve damage

Masking the pain (prey animals)

Stoic behavior

Overdeveloped muscles are a result of what?

Incorrect work

Underdeveloped muscle are a result of what?

Lack of work

Topline and hindquarters development for the impulsion and correct movements

Dressage

Shoulders and hindquarters to ensure a smooth departure and landing

Jumpers

Leaner overall muscle profile with focus on strong shoulders and hindquarters

Racers

Heavy forehand/shoulder muscling as low profile of movement puts a heavier load on the forehand and strong hindquarters (impulsion)

Western

Essential for muscle growth and development

Protein