How to Use Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Practice | The Equine Superficial Dorsal Line
- Ceola Reece
- Mar 16
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 9
This blog post explores how equine musculoskeletal practitioners can integrate myofascial lines into their therapy practice. Specifically, we’ll take a close look at the superficial dorsal line, examining its anatomy and identifying key clinical signs of dysfunction. Finally, we’ll discuss various manual therapy techniques that can help restore function and improve movement.
Fascia, the connective tissue web that links all structures throughout the body, might appear disorganised and random, but it is far from that! Researchers have demonstrated that it follows clear patterns, forming myofascial lines that connect anatomical structures both physically and functionally (Elbrønd and Schultz, 2021, 2015; Schultz et al., 2021).
For equine musculoskeletal therapists, understanding the anatomy of these myofascial lines is a powerful tool, one which I use in every equine physiotherapy session!
This knowledge can enhance our ability to identify and predict compensatory dysfunction, helping us develop more effective manual treatment plans. Dysfunction in one structure within a myofascial kinetic line impacts the entire line, meaning that by addressing different parts of the line—even those distant from the primary issue—we can reduce fascial tension, improve tissue glide, and promote overall fascial health and therefore movement.
How can knowledge of the myofascial kinetic lines help equine musculoskeletal therapists?
Understanding these connections allows us to:
Identify potential compensatory issues associated with a primary pathology
Trace compensatory issues back to the primary dysfunction
Enhance our understand of posture and movement
Inform targeted massage, myofascial release and stretching techniques
Guide our exercise prescription and advice
Promote prehabilitation, preventative care and performance optimisation
Reference Sources
Much of my foundational knowledge about the fascial lines I learned from the pioneering researchers, practitioners and authors Rikke Schultz, Tove Due and Vibeke Elbrond. Please find a link to their fantastic book at the end of this post, along with a reference list including their seminal research papers.
Functional Anatomy of the Superficial Dorsal Myofascial Kinetic Line
So, let’s take a look at one of the myofascial lines - the superficial dorsal line. This myofascial line connects the hind hoof to the head and jaw. It plays a key role in extending the horses vertebral column and hip, retracting the hindlimb, and in unilateral contraction, laterally flexing the vertebral column.
It works antagonistically with the superficial ventral line. When both these lines are in a health state, both flexible and supportive, this enables the horse to move between spinal flexion and extension - producing the power required for quality movement and propulsion.
Form and function are deeply intertwined, and as therapists, our primary focus is addressing dysfunction. However, to truly understand dysfunction, we must first understand function—and to understand function, we must understand form. That’s why we’re going to start by examining the anatomy of this myofascial line!
The superficial dorsal line begins all the way down in the hind hoof, at the distal phalanx, digital fascia, and plantar fascia. From there, it runs up the plantar aspect of the hindlimb, connecting structures such as the proximal annular ligament, superficial digital flexor muscle and tendon, suspensory ligament, and flexor retinaculum of the tarsus, thereby incorporating the hock joint.
Continuing upward, it integrates into the common calcaneal tendon, which is composed of the tendons of the superficial digital flexor, gastrocnemius, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles. At this point, it has deep connections with the hamstrings, specifically the semitendinosus and biceps femoris. Since these muscles wrap medially and laterally around the stifle, this line also influences the stifle joint.
The line then travels under the middle gluteal muscle (not through it), connecting to the sacrotuberous ligament, which is intimately associated with the sacroiliac region and therefore links this line to the sacroiliac joint.
From here, it extends into the epaxial musculature, specifically the longissimus dorsi, iliocostalis, semispinalis, and spinalis muscles. As the iliocostalis muscles connect onto the angles of the ribs, this line therefore also has an impact on the function of the rib movement at the costovertebral and costotransverse joints, where the ribs articulate with the thoracic vertebrae.
As these epaxial muscles continue to connect to the cervical vertebrae, this line also plays a role in neck function, contributing to extension and lateral flexion of this region. Several of these muscles extend further to the poll region, attaching to the occipital bone, nuchal crest, and mastoid process, thereby affecting both the atlanto-axial and atlanto-occipital joints.
Finally, this line links to the temporalis muscle and temporal fascia, wrapping around the temporomandibular joint and connecting with the fascia of the masseter muscle, where it meets its antagonistic myofascial line – the superficial ventral line.
If you want a digital guide to the anatomy of all the myofascial lines, feel free to check out my digital learning resource on the topic (more info and discount opportunity at the end of the blog post!)
How can I tell if the superficial dorsal line is dysfunctional and requires treatment?
Dysfunction can occur when there is a static contraction in the fascia of a myofascial line, either in a shortened or lengthened state. This results in reduced extensibility and glide of the structures, causing them to shorten. As a result, discomfort and hypertonicity may arise, and muscles may not function effectively, as they are unable to contract and lengthen to their full capacity. If this has been a chronic issue, it can lead to muscle atrophy, along with further muscular discomfort and hypertonicity.
So, how might this dysfunction present in a horse?
You may notice the horse standing with an extended spinal posture, often "camped out," especially with their hindlimbs, showing extension in the sacroiliac joint region. Depending on the chronicity of the contraction, there may also be visible atrophy of the thoracolumbar epaxials and hamstrings.
On palpation, you may find muscle hypertonicity and discomfort in the epaxial muscles, potentially accompanied by the already mentioned atrophy. This combination of an extended spinal posture along with muscle hypertonicity and discomfort will limit spinal ventral and lateral flexion, and rotation capacity.
There may also be discomfort upon squeezing of the tuber sacrale protuberances when testing the sacroiliac joint.
Movement wise, there may be reduced hindlimb protraction and propulsion. The fascial tension in the hamstrings and epaxial musculature may be physically reducing protraction capacity. Additionally, if this issue has been chronic, atrophy may be present in the hamstring musculature, resulting in less propulsive power.
Furthermore, around 30% of muscle force is transmitted to other muscles via fascial connections, so contraction and adhesions along the superficial dorsal line will reduce this force transmission and therefore limit strength.
You may also notice a higher head carriage, with an extended neck posture and “inverted” neck musculature, reflecting poor dorso-ventral muscle balance. Due to the higher head carriage, the horse might have reduced forelimb protraction because of other fascial and biomechanical connections.
When testing spinal range of motion, you might find limited ventral thoracolumbar flexion ability due to fascial restrictions and hypertonicity around the vertebral column, particularly at the facet joints. I like to test this using dynamic mobilisations such as ‘belly lifts’ and ‘pelvic tucks’.
Lateral bending through the thoracic and cervical regions may be restricted as well, seen when asking the horse to walk on a tight circle, or using dynamic mobilisation techniques such as baited neck exercises. It's important to note that one side of the line could be in more static contraction than the other, as there is a left and right line. In such cases, the horse will show greater restriction on one side.
It’s also worth noting that this line is sometimes referred to as an “emotional line.” Excessive sympathetic nervous system activation, such as from fear or stress, can cause tension in this line and the postures described above. Chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system and resultant postures may lead to fascial restriction in the line due to these emotional responses.
Why could dysfunction of the superficial dorsal line be detrimental to the horse?
Fascial contraction can reduce movement function and lead to muscle discomfort, as discussed earlier. This discomfort can further reduce movement capacity, leading to even more hypertonicity and pain, resulting in performance and behavioural concerns. Fundamentally, contracted, tight fascial lines have the potential to negatively impact the horses welfare.
Additionally, if the horse continues to move and stand this way chronically, muscle atrophy can occur. This may reduce their ability to stabilise joints and potentially lead to joint issues. Atrophy of the hindlimb musculature may also shift more load to the forelimbs during movement, increasing concussion on the forelimb structures and potentially causing detrimental effects.
Furthermore, contracted fascia has reduced shock absorption capacity. As a result, joints such as the hocks and sacroiliac joints could be negatively affected if there is long-term contraction in the superficial dorsal line, potentially resulting in degenerative changes to tissues.
What manual bodywork techniques can reduce static contraction of the superficial dorsal myofascial line?
There are a plethora of manual therapy techniques that can help reduce restriction and restore tissue gliding and function in the superficial dorsal line. I like to use a combination of direct manual work, such as massage and myofascial release, along with passive and active joint mobilisations and stretches, along with an individually tailored home exercise plan for the owner. I often intersperse passive and active mobilisations throughout my soft tissue work, finishing off with some passive stretches.
Below, I've listed some of the areas I target and techniques I use on horses to treat the superficial dorsal line.
If you’d like to learn more about these techniques, join my mailing list to be the first to know when I start releasing educational video resources—plus gain access to exclusive discounts and bonus materials! https://www.crvetphysio.com/contact-mailling-list
Some of the techniques I use:
Hind distal limb - Treatment of adhesions of superficial digital flexor tendon and suspensory ligament, joint mobilisations
Hamstrings – myofascial release, massage
Hindlimb protraction with mobilisations and stretches
Combining stretches with dynamic mobilisation exercises
Thoracic and lumbosacral mobilisations
Iliocostalis and costovertebral/costotransverse joints – massage, mobilisations
Cervical region – massage, myofascial release, targeted passive mobilisations, active dynamic mobilisations
Poll – myofascial release, mobilisations, stretches
Temporalis and masseter muscles – myofascial release
Temporomandibular joint – myofascial release, mobilisations
Conclusion
A solid understanding of the functional anatomy of the equine myofascial kinetic lines can greatly enhance equine physiotherapy and bodywork. Certain postures, movement patterns, and palpatory findings may indicate dysfunction in the superficial dorsal line, signaling the need for targeted treatment. Addressing these areas effectively can restore fascial tissue glide and function, leading to more comfortable, supple movement and ultimately improving both welfare and performance.
If you're interested in myofascial lines in horses, I've created a digital resource to help therapists understand and use the anatomy of these lines in clinical practice.
Just so you know - I’m offering a 15% discount and a free sample of this digital resource to those on my mailing list, so feel free to sign up here and you’ll receive the discount code in an email: https://www.crvetphysio.com/contact-mailling-list
You can find the product in my shop here:
If you want to explore the myofascial lines in even more detail, I recommend getting the book ‘Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines – for professionals’ by the pioneering researchers, practitioners and authors Schultz, Due and Elbrond which can be found on their website ‘fascialines’ (https://fascialines.com/boeger/equine-myofascial-kinetic-lines-for-professionals/?lang=en)
What resources did I use when learning about this topic?
Budras, K.-D., Sack, W.O., Rock, S., 2003. Anatomy of the Horse: An Illustrated Text. Schlütersche.
Elbrønd, V.S., Schultz, R.M., 2021. Deep Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Horses, Comparative Dissection Studies Derived from Humans. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine 11, 14.
Elbrønd, V.S., Schultz, R.M., 2015. Myofascia - the unexplored tissue: Myofascial kinetic lines in horses, a model for describing locomotion using comparative dissection studies derived from human lines. Medical Research Archives.
Schultz, D.R.M., Due, D.T., Elbrønd, D. and P.V.S., 2021. Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines. Leanders Grafiska AB Kalma, Kalmar.
Thank for reading! Any questions at all, please feel free to reach out
Best wishes,
Ceola
So helpful & informative!