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MUSCLE/LIGAMENT,
ORIGIN AND INSERTION |
ACTION |
|
1.
Rectus Capitus Lateralis, starts at spinous
process of Axis and inserts at Nuchal Crest. |
Allows the head
to flex and incline side to side. |
|
2.
Splenius, behind the poll, beginning of
the Trapezius. |
Turns and extends
the neck. |
|
3.
Multifidus Cervicus (deep) |
Allows the neck
to flex and the head to rotate to the opposite side. |
|
4.
Brachiocephalicus, base of the skull
behind the jaw |
Moves the head
from side to side, pulls the scapula (shoulder blades) forward, raises it in
collection, swings the foreleg forward. |
|
5.
Trapezius/Rhomboids (deep), Trapezius
starts at Occipital bone, spines of the 7th cervical and all the Thoracic
vertebrae. Rhomboids starts at Nuchal ligament and inserts into the Scapula.
The Nuchal ligament starts at poll and ends in the withers. |
Lifts shoulder
and forehand. Pulls the scapula forward (Rhomboideus). Permits the scapula
to draw upward, forward and backward. |
|
6. Supraspinatus, starts below Trapezius
and inserts at point of shoulder. Supraspinatus LIGAMENT starts at poll and
ends at the sacrum. |
Permits the
shoulder joint to extend. |
|
7.
Infraspinatus (deep), origin of scapula
(deep) |
Allows the
foreleg to rotate outward. |
|
8.
Deltoid, starts at scapula and inserts
at the humerus |
Permits the
shoulder joint to extend. |
|
9.
Tricep |
Permits the
shoulder joint to flex. |
|
10.
Bicep & Anterior Pectoral |
Permits the
foreleg to extend. |
|
11.
Serratus Thoracis, starts at ribs and
inserts at Scapula forelimbs |
Allows the trunk
to be at the proper level when legs are planted. |
|
12.
Posterior Pectoral, starts at sternum and
ends at Major and Minor Humeral tubercls. |
Allows the
foreleg to draw backward. |
|
13.
Extensor Carpi Radialis, a group of muscles
that form upper part of foreleg |
Permits the
foreleg to bend flex. |
|
14.
Latissimus Dorsi, starts at lower
Thoracic vertebrae and ends at back of the humerus |
Flexes the
shoulder and pulls the foreleg back. Permits lateral bending. |
|
15.
Longissimus Dorsi, starts at Illium and
inserts the vertebrae along the spine and the last 4 cervical vertebra. The
longest and strongest muscle. The rider sits on them. This is why back
problems in horses is so prevalent. |
Allows the back
to extend and permits lateral bending. Raises and supports the head, neck.
Main muscle used in rearing, kicking, jumping and aids turning. |
|
16.
Intercostal muscles, spaces between
ribs. |
Supports the rib
cage and aids in respiration. |
|
17.
Obliques (external and internal), attach
to ribs and pelvic bones |
Allows the hind
leg to draw under and supports the back and internal organs. |
|
18.
Rectus Abdominus, abdominals |
Supports the
back. |
|
19.
Gluteus, (superficial), starts at croup
and ends at bottom of the hip attached to the sacrum (pelvic bone) |
Allows forward
movement and hind end action. Developed area in a Dressage horse. |
|
20.
Semimembranosus, part of hamstring
group. |
Permits the hock
to extend. |
|
21.
Semitendinosus, starts behind biceps and
ends at back of the hindquarters. Part of the hamstring group. |
Permits the hip
and the hock to extend. |
|
22.
Bicep Femoris, starts behind gluteals
and ends at hindquarters attached to the patella and tibia. Main muscles
over the hindquarters, part of the hamstring group. |
Allows for
extension of the hind leg, hip and hock, and bends the stifle |
|
23.
Tensor Fascia Latae and....see below |
Allows the stifle
to extend...see below |
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24.
Fascia Latae, muscles of the equine
pelvic limb |
and the hip to
flex. |
|
25.
Long Digital Extensor, inserts at femur |
Permits the hind
leg to flex. |
