Fascia, the body’s network of fibrous connective tissue, reaches everywhere in the body. It includes fascial sheets (like plantar fascia), tendons, ligaments, bursae, fascia in and around muscles, membranes around the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Until about 20 years ago, fascia was overlooked, literally cut away in dissections in order to see the ‘important things’ like organs, bone, arteries. It is now understood to be the ‘important stuff’ because of its role in guarding injured tissue, helping body parts and muscles glide over each other, maintaining equilibrium, proprioception, and as one of the largest sensory organs in the body. We see fascia when we peel skin from a chicken breast. In between the skin and the meat is a filmy white sheet. That’s fascia.
Research shows 4 things contribute to healthy fascia for you and your horse:
Hydrate – drinking or access to plenty of pure water;
Regular, varied movement – non-stressful movement such as walking, or being turned out on pasture, helps all mammals cycle energy, toxins, and waste products through their body systems;
Get regular bodywork – get support to keep everything moving, like car maintenance;
Stay flexible – physically as well as mentally, since attitudes play a big role in health; do stretches on your horse and with your horse.
Caring for your fascia and your horse’s fascia will help you both to stay sound and extend your time together doing what you love.
photo from the Inter Webs with no photographer named
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