Re: Lameness(long)

[JPascu@aol.com]

Hello Cindy;

I believe the muscle you are describing is the BrachioCephalicus, Brachio=
upper arm, Cephalicus= head. It runs from the upper arm to the head and moves
the arm when the head is fixed or sidebends the head/neck to the same side,
rotates head to the opposite side. This muscle in the human is called
SternoCleidoMastoid, Streno is the sternum, Cleido=clavicle or collarbone,
Mastoid process= is the big bump on the back lateral edge of the head. 
A horse that is a puller will develop a strain in this muscle. Eventually if
the pulling isn't resolved the neck will start to ewe under the strain. (I see
the same patterns with people, head forward posture, whithers developing, we
call it "Dowagers Hump" but it's actually the healthy body process in response
to the head being "out there". That's right whithers are there to hold the
head not a saddle!).
When I massage this I use a LIGHT stripping motion and kneading. Go in very
lightly and slowly, feel the tissue, if you feel something going THUMP THUMP
THUMP back off of it. There's an old Rolfing saying, "don't Rolf Thumpers". 
I would massage for 5 minutes each side. Raise the front leg toward the head
and old for 1.5 -2 minutes, this will shorten the muscle and relax the muscle
spindles, and SLOWLY return the leg to the ground. Massage 5 more min. then
passively stretch the front leg to the rear. By passively I mean take the leg
back to the first barrier and wait for the horse to release the barrier before
going further, then take up the slack to the next barrier.
The idea is to work to the horse's time to go slow and only take what is
offered.
If this doesn't resolve in a few days I would call my DVM to rule out
something more sinister.

Good Luck

jim pascucci
Advanced Certified Rolfer
www.equisearch.com/ibt