Crescent Moon Equine Bodywork

Too much turn out or not enough?

One thing I think can be damaging is calling something "too much" when most horses are already experiencing a scarcity of it. This creates a false narrative, especially when it is framed as a welfare concern.

Normally, I am not one to voice my opinions on Facebook. I either lack the confidence to put my thoughts out there, or I read a post and have a million thoughts running through my head but cannot find the words. Then I impulsively write something I regret.

There is a particular discussion making its way around the internet claiming that too much turnout is causing horses to become exhausted and therefore unable to perform to our standards during training. It has been called a “silent epidemic.” Impressive words for an argument that currently lacks supporting facts and evidence.

Let’s walk through the evolution and domestication of the horse.

Horses were domesticated approximately 5,000 years ago. In evolutionary terms, that is a very small amount of time. While domestication has influenced certain traits in horses, their fundamental biology and physiological needs remain largely the same. They digest food the same way, they have the same hooves, they have the same movement requirements, and they have the same instincts.

So what does this mean for horses today, especially those living in captivity?

They still require their biological needs to be met.

One of the biggest challenges in meeting those needs is providing enough voluntary movement. This is the biggest singular difference between wild horses and many domestic horses. Wild horses move because they choose to: to find food, water, shelter, and maintain social relationships.

This is why turnout should be a priority when considering horse management and welfare. Turnout provides horses with the opportunity to fulfill a basic biological need: movement.

I understand that many boarding and rental facilities have limitations. There are situations where stall time is necessary and management decisions must be made based on the individual horse and the facility. But we should be careful not to sacrifice a horse’s biological need simply to make training more convenient or productive in our minds.

If your horse is exhausted from turnout, that is not normal.

If your horse is consistently sore from turnout, that is not normal.

If your horse does not want to move forward in training, that is not normal.

If your horse is receiving a balanced, nutritious diet but lacks energy, that is not normal.

All of these situations deserve to be investigated individually. The answer is not automatically reducing turnout. The answer is looking at the whole picture: health, nutrition, hoof care, environment, social factors, and whether the horse feels safe and comfortable in their space.

Turnout does not cause a horse to be exhausted.

If a horse struggles with turnout, it is worth asking: what about this environment is causing stress, discomfort, or excessive physical demand? What can we change to help this horse thrive?

The solution should be improving the environment, not removing access to a behavior that horses are biologically designed to perform.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚒𝚌 𝚂𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚞𝚋𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚞𝚜 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚌𝚕𝚎

The small muscle with a big job.

This muscle is small but mighty. Often overlooked, the subclavius plays an important role in supporting the horse's front end. Ironically, it's named after the clavicle, the bone horses don't have.

Although it's often grouped with the pectoral muscles, the subclavius deserves its own spotlight.

The subclavius is a deep muscle that originates from the manubrium (the front of the sternum) and the first four costal cartilages (the cartilage where the first four ribs connect to the sternum). It extends upward to attach to the cranial aspect of the scapula by blending with the fascia covering the supraspinatus muscle.

☾ ᗯᕼᗩT ᗪOES IT ᗪO? ☾

The subclavius has several important jobs:

✦ Supports the thoracic sling.
✦ Stabilizes the shoulder and the base of the neck.
✦ It's a key postural muscle connecting the forelimb to the trunk.
✦ Retracts the forelimb when it is off the ground.
✦ Helps move the body forward over a weight-bearing limb.
✦ Assists the serratus ventralis in supporting the trunk during weight-bearing.

☾ ᗯᕼᗩT ᑕᗩᑎ ᗪYSᖴᑌᑎᑕTIOᑎ ᒪOOK ᒪIKE? ☾

When the subclavius becomes tight or isn't functions quite right, you may notice:

✦ Sensitivity where the lower neck ties into the chest.
✦ A shortened stride or reluctance to reach forward with the forelimb.
✦ Compensatory tension in the pectoral muscles or the brachiocephalicus (neck muscle).
✦ Difficulty with collection or engaging the forehand comfortably.
✦ Reduced stability through the shoulder during movement.

☾ ᗪIᗪ YOᑌ KᑎOᗯ? ☾

The subclavius is considered a remnant of the muscle that attached to the clavicle in other mammals. In horses, it has evolved into an important part of the thoracic sling, helping support the body's weight and efficiently transfer forces during movement.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚒𝚌 𝚂𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚜 𝚅𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚜

Looks like wings, sounds like magic, works like suspension.

The serratus ventralis is arguably one of the most important muscles of the thoracic sling. It serves as the horse's primary suspension system, supporting the trunk between the front limbs.

It's one of my favorite muscles in the body, not only because of its incredible function, but also because it's surprisingly easy to identify in dissections. Its distinctive serrated attachments along the ribs and cervical vertebrae give the muscle its name. While most of the muscle lies beneath the scapula and other large muscles, those characteristic serrated edges peek out from underneath, making them much easier to appreciate.

The serratus ventralis has two parts:

✦ 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 - attaches along the neck.
✦ 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙘 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 - attaches along the ribcage.

Although they have slightly different roles, they work together to suspend the trunk, stabilize the shoulder, and contribute to efficient movement.

☾ᗯᕼᗩT ᗪOES IT ᗪO?☾

𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:

✦ Positions and stabilizes the scapula.
✦ Helps elevate the base of the neck and contributes to lifting through the withers during movement.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙘 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:

✦ Suspends the trunk between the forelimbs.
✦ Assists with shock absorption in movement.
✦ Contributes to lift through the withers during movement.

𝙏𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥:

✦ Support the thoracic sling.
✦ Stabilize the shoulder.
✦ Absorb concussion from the ground.
✦ Transfer forces efficiently through the body.
✦ Promote balance and self-carriage.

☾ᗯᕼEᑎ IT'S ᑎOT ᖴᑌᑎᑕTIOᑎIᑎG ᗯEᒪᒪ☾

𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:

✦ Tension presents at the base of the neck.
✦ Reduced freedom of scapular movement.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙘 𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:

✦ Dropped appearance through the withers.
✦ Reduced lift through the forehand.

☾ᗯᕼᗩT ᗰIGᕼT YOᑌ ᑎOTIᑕE?☾

You may notice:

✦ Compensatory tension through the pectorals, shoulder, and/or neck.
✦ Shortened stride in the front limbs.
✦ Heavy movement on the forehand.
✦ Resistance during transitions, particularly downward transitions.
✦ A jarring or less fluid trot due to decreased shock absorption.
✦ Stumbling or tripping.
✦ Difficulty maintaining balance or self-carriage.

☾TᕼIᑎGS TO KEEᑭ Iᑎ ᗰIᑎᗪ ᗯᕼEᑎ ᗩSSESSIᑎG☾

𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙩

When was your horse's saddle last evaluated?

A saddle should fit both rider AND horse. One that restricts shoulder movement can compress the serratus ventralis, limiting the scapula's ability to move freely. Over time, this may shorten the stride, create localized tension, and contribute to compensatory patterns throughout the shoulder and neck.

𝙃𝙤𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚

If you're noticing a recurring theme, there's a reason.

The feet influence everything above them. Poor hoof balance or discomfort can alter how a horse loads each limb, changing how the thoracic sling functions. Comfortable feet support comfortable movement.

𝙇𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨

Lameness affects far more than the injured limb.

When a horse unloads one leg, the opposite limb and its supporting muscles, including the serratus ventralis, often work harder to compensate. Addressing lameness promptly can help reduce unnecessary strain elsewhere in the body and may prevent additional compensatory issues from developing.

☾ᕼOᗯ ᑕᗩᑎ YOᑌ ᕼEᒪᑭ?☾

Exercises that encourage proper thoracic sling engagement include:

✦ Pole work
✦ Raised poles
✦ Slow, controlled hill work.
✦ Backing with a neutral or slightly lowered head and neck
✦ Lateral exercises such as leg yields and shoulder-in

These exercises help strengthen not only the serratus ventralis, but the entire thoracic sling. A stronger thoracic sling improves postural support, enhanced shock absorption, and allows the horse to move with greater efficiency and balance.

☾ᗪIᗪ YOᑌ KᑎOᗯ?☾

The reason horses don't have a clavicle (collarbone) is an evolutionary advantage. By not having the front limbs rigidly connected to the body by bone, horses gain much greater flexibility and range of motion through the shoulder.

This design allows for a longer, more efficient stride, better shock absorption, and the ability to generate incredible speed and power. It also helps horses navigate uneven terrain and make athletic movements, like jumping, more fluid and efficient.

It's one of the many reasons horses are such remarkable athletes.

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀

The pectoral muscles sit between your horse's front legs and across the chest. While they're often thought of as "chest muscles," they play a much bigger role than that.

☾ ᗯᕼᗩT ᗪO TᕼEY ᗪO? ☾

✦ They adduct the limb, meaning they pull the leg back towards the body.

✦ They help in supporting the horses's trunk between their two legs.

✦They help in stabilizing the shoulder and controlling limb movement.

✦ They are a key support muscle group for straightness and balance.

✦ They assist in balance during movement.

☾ ᕼOᗯ ᗪO TᕼEY ᑕOᑎTᖇIᗷᑌTE TO TᕼE TᕼOᖇᗩᑕIᑕ SᒪIᑎG? ☾

The pectorals aren't responsible for suspending the horse all on their own. Instead, they work in close coordination to muscles like the serratus ventralis, brachiochephalicus, and subclavius to create a strong, stable support system.

Think of the thoracic sling like a team. Every muscle has a job, and the pectorals help provide stability and control while the rest of the team helps suspend and move the front end efficiently.

☾ᗯᕼᗩT ᑕᗩᑎ ᗪYSᖴᑌᑎᑕTIOᑎ ᒪOOK ᒪIKE? ☾

When the pectoral muscles become tight, weak, or overworked, you may notice:

✦ Reduced freedom through the shoulder resulting in shortened steps

✦ Forelimbs may appear to drift or toe in/out

✦ Difficulty maintaining straightness

✦ Base narrow stance in front

✦ Uneven loading through the front limbs or constant shifting when standing.

Remember, these signs don't automatically mean the pectorals are the problem. Horses compensate incredibly well, and dysfunction is usually the result of multiple structures working together.

☾ ᕼOᗯ ᑕᗩᑎ YOᑌ ᕼEᒪᑭ? ☾

✦ Pole work at a walk to encourage coordination and lifting through the withers.

✦ Hill work at a walk. (slow and steady wins the race)

✦ Slow and controlled backing.

✦ Ensuring proper saddle fit.

✦ Address hoof balance. Uncomfortable feet = uncomfortable pectorals.

☾ ᗪIᗪ YOᑌ KᑎOᗯ? ☾

A horse with sore or uncomfortable front feet may develop tension in the pectoral muscles.

When the front feet are uncomfortable, horses will often shift how they load their limbs to avoid discomfort. Over time, those compensations can place additional demand on the pectoral muscles as they work to help support and stabilize the front end.

This is one reason some horses that are "girthy" may also have tight pectoral muscles. While the pectorals aren't always the source of the problem, they may be responding to what's happening lower down.

Sometimes, looking at the feet can tell you just as much as looking at the muscles.

What even is the thoracic sling??

For professionals, it's very easy for us to use the phrase thoracic sling. It's quick, it sounds nice, and we all know what we mean. But for owners, it can be one of those terms that gets thrown around so often that it starts to lose its meaning.

So, what actually is it?

The thoracic sling is a group of muscles and connective tissue that keeps your horse's front end suspended between the front legs.

Unlike us, horses don't have a collarbone (clavicle). Our arms are attached to our skeleton by bone. Horses are different. Their front legs are attached to the rest of their body entirely by muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue. This muscular support system is what we call the thoracic sling.

Some of the main muscles involved include:

☾Pectorals (descending, transverse, and ascending)
☾ Serratus ventralis
☾ Subclavius
☾ Rhomboideus
☾ Cervical trapezius
☾ Thoracic trapezius
☾ Latissimus dorsi
☾ Brachiocephalicus
☾ Omotransversarius
☾ Sternocephalicus

When these muscles are working together well, they help your horse lift through the withers, become lighter in the front end, and carry themselves more efficiently. This reduces concussion through the front limbs while improving balance, coordination, stability, and overall movement.

When the thoracic sling isn't working as well as it should, you might notice your horse:

☾feeling heavy on the forehand
☾struggling to lift through the withers
☾tripping more often
☾taking shorter steps in front
☾having a harder time engaging the hind end.

This is one of the reasons bodywork and targeted strengthening exercises can make such a difference. A healthy thoracic sling isn't just about pretty movement. It's about helping your horse move more comfortably, more efficiently, and with less strain on the rest of the body.

Over the next few posts, I'll be breaking down each of these muscles, what they do, and how dysfunction in each one can show up in your horse.

This weekend marks the completion of my second round of case studies for my Masterson Method certification, and I am feeling incredibly grateful.

I had an amazing coaching session with my mentor, Stephanie Goddard, and her 3 year old c**t, LT. He had never experienced a full bodywork session before, so it was definitely a challenge. Not only was I working with a young horse and his baby brain, but also a horse who had never been asked these kinds of questions before. There were moments where he was confused, moments where he was curious, and plenty of moments where he had something to teach me.

One of the things I love most about this work is that every horse is a teacher. Even in a single session, LT taught me a lot, and Stephanie's guidance helped me see things from a different perspective and continue growing my skills.

Now it is on to my third and final round of case studies, and then finally the certification course itself. It is hard to believe I am this close to completing a goal I have been working toward for so long. I am excited, a little nervous, and incredibly thankful for everyone who has trusted me with their horses along the way.

Salt vs. Electrolytes

Salt is extremely important in your horse's diet, especially as the heat rolls in and they begin sweating more. It is essential for normal body function, hydration, nerve signaling, and muscle function.

Salt is made up of two minerals: sodium and chloride, both of which are electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids. In horses, the primary electrolytes are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Sodium is one of the most important electrolytes because it helps regulate hydration, blood volume, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions. Chloride works alongside sodium to maintain fluid balance and is also a key component of stomach acid, which is necessary for proper digestion.

Forage typically contains plenty of potassium and often adequate amounts of calcium and magnesium, but it is naturally very low in sodium. This is why horses should have access to salt year round, regardlesss of their workload. As horses sweat, they lose electrolytes, but sodium and chloride are lost in the greatest amounts, making salt replacement especially important during hot weather.

It's also important to remember that many horses do not consume enough salt from a salt block alone. A general guideline is that if your horse is not consuming roughly one standard salt block every 30 days, they likely are not meeting their sodium requirements. This is one reason many owners choose to provide loose salt in addition to free choice salt blocks, or even better, offer free choice loose salt.

While electrolyte supplements can be beneficial for horses that are exercising heavily, traveling, competing, or dealing with extreme heat and humidity, they don't necessarily need to be supplemented every day like salt does. Many horses can meet their needs through a balanced diet and adequate salt intake. Electrolyte supplementation becomes more valuable when losses through sweat exceed what can reasonably be replaced through normal feed and salt intake alone.

A good rule of thumb:

Salt is the foundation. Electrolytes are the additional support.

Every horse needs access to salt. Electrolyte supplements are a useful tool when work, travel, illness, or environmental conditions increase electrolyte losses beyond what salt alone can replace.

My personal recommendations:

For salt, I typically recommend plain noniodized table salt from the grocery store or Sea-90 salt, which can be found at Tractor Supply

For electrolytes, my go-to recommendation is Peak Performance Nutrients Perfect Balance Electrolytes. If you need something readily available locally, Apple Elite Electrolyte from Tractor Supply is a solid option in a pinch.