Horse Muscle Structure
Horse muscle structure is complex and essential for the horse's movement and agility. Horses' legs are incredibly strong due to their unique anatomy and musculature, which is specialized for carrying and propelling their large bodies at high speeds.
While horses have strong legs, they can also be prone to injuries and fragility due to their unique anatomy and physiology. Here is an overview of horse muscle structure, tendons, and ligaments:
Muscles
Horses have over 700 muscles in their bodies, which are divided into three main types: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. Skeletal muscles attach to bones and are responsible for voluntary movements, such as running or jumping. These are the muscles that you’ll find in your horse’s legs, whereas smooth muscles control involuntary movement (like the digestive system), and cardiac muscles form the heart and pump blood throughout the body.
Tendons
Tendons are tough, fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. They are responsible for transmitting the force generated by the muscles to the bones, enabling movement. In horses, the tendons in the legs are particularly important, as they support the weight of the horse and absorb the shock of movement. However, tendons can be vulnerable to injury and can take a long time to heal.
Ligaments
Ligaments are strong, flexible bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones, providing stability to joints. In horses, ligaments are vital in the legs, where they help to support the weight of the horse and absorb the shock of movement. However, like tendons, ligaments can be vulnerable to injury, and damage to ligaments can be slow to heal.
Muscular Issues in Horses
Muscular issues in horses can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, poor nutrition, or disease. Here are some common muscular issues in horses:
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of muscles that can cause pain and discomfort for horses. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or poor nutrition. Treatment options for muscle spasms include rest, hydration, massage, and stretching.
Nutritional Deficiency
Horses require a balanced diet to maintain healthy muscles, and deficiencies in certain nutrients can lead to muscular issues. For example, a deficiency in vitamin E or selenium can lead to muscle weakness and even disease, such as Equine Motor Neuron Disease. Ensuring that horses have access to a well-balanced diet, including appropriate supplements, can help prevent nutritional deficiencies. If your horse is pasture-fed (even partially), consider researching and asking your vet how your regional soil profile may lead to vitamin and mineral imbalances in your horse’s diet.
Muscle Atrophy
Muscle atrophy is the loss of muscle mass and strength, and it can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as disuse, injury, or nerve damage. Horses that are on stall rest for extended periods, or those with neurological conditions, are particularly at risk for muscle atrophy. Treatment options for muscle atrophy include exercise, massage, and physical therapy.
How to Maintain Your Horse’s Muscular Health
Maintaining your horse's muscular health is essential for its overall well-being, soundness, and performance. Here are some ways to help keep your horse's muscles healthy:
Diet & Supplements
Providing your horse with a well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining healthy muscles. Horses require a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, particularly those that support muscle health, such as vitamin E, selenium, and amino acids. Feeding your horse high-quality forage and a balanced commercial feed can help ensure they receive the nutrients they need. Supplements can be used to help support muscle function and reduce the risk of muscular issues. Additionally, amino acid supplements can be used to support muscle growth and repair.
Massage & Stretching
Regular massage and stretching can help promote muscle relaxation, increase flexibility, and reduce the risk of muscle spasms. This can be particularly beneficial for horses that are in strenuous training or those that have a history of muscular issues.
Benefab Equine Leg Products
Overall, maintaining your horse's muscular health requires a holistic approach that includes providing a well-balanced diet, supplementing as necessary, regular exercise, and promoting relaxation and circulation. The following Benefab equine leg products can be used to increase circulation and reduce inflammation in your day-to-day routine and even help stimulate recovery when your horse’s leg muscles have been injured.
Smart QuickWraps — These wraps have the dual power of far-infrared therapy and medical-grade magnets positioned over predetermined acupuncture points. Put them on for 30 minutes before and/or after a workout to increase circulation and support your horse’s lower legs.
Antimicrobial Therapeutic VersiWraps — These VersiWraps are just that: versatile! Wrap them under a polo at rest or over a bandage when your horse is recovering from injury to help reduce inflammation.
Therapeutic Polo Wraps — Polo wraps are reimagined with the Benefab Therapeutic Polo Wraps. Gain the benefits of far-infrared therapy while training or riding your horse to keep muscles supple and relaxed and help prevent injury in the lower leg.
FAQs:
Why do horses have no muscles in their lower legs?
Unlike the upper leg, horses do not have muscles past the knees and hocks. Strong tendons and ligaments help coordinate the movements of the lower leg, and contribute alongside the leg muscles to the many apparatuses of the horse's legs that allow for vital life functions, such as sleep, stabilization while standing, shock absorption during movement, and more (source).
How are horses' legs so strong?
Horses have large, powerful muscles in their hindquarters and upper body that generate the force necessary to move their bodies forward. These muscles are also designed for endurance, allowing horses to maintain high speeds over long distances. The long tendons in horses' legs, such as the digital flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament, are incredibly strong and are responsible for transmitting the force generated by the powerful muscles to the bones of the legs and hooves. This enables horses to move with incredible speed and agility.
Why are horse legs so fragile?
Horses have relatively thin skin on their legs, which makes them more susceptible to cuts, bruises, and other injuries. The lower legs are made up of tendons and ligaments that are vulnerable to strain and injury, particularly during high-impact activities such as jumping and racing. While horses have large and strong bones in their legs, particular areas, such as the cannon bone and the fetlock joint, can be fractured by sudden trauma or repetitive stress.
