Introductory MATs

Pepper

a busy mind storing tension in fascia folds in the body - dispersing impact of physical and emotional tension in harder to access with generalized movement areas like nerves and overlapping connective tissues (complex interactions between muscles, fascia, and nerves can limit movement and/or healing). CSF movement is partly driven by the pulsatile flow generated by the heart and the respiratory system. As the heart beats, it generates pressure waves that influence the flow of CSF through the brain and spinal cord. Likewise, breathing (especially deep breathing) creates pressure changes in the thoracic cavity that affect the CSF flow. Changes in posture, body position, or physical exertion can also affect CSF movement. Flexion or extension of the spine alters the pressure within the subarachnoid space, encouraging CSF to circulate differently. In situations where there is significant muscle tightness, such as during emotional stress or physical injury or chronic tension patterns the movement of CSF may become restricted, leading to potential issues with spinal cord and nerve function, manifesting either as pain or neurological dysfunction, or both :)

max

assessment raises pro-prioception nerve related concerns.

The CSF aids in clearing various neurotoxins, waste products of oxidative stress, and free radicals produced during normal metabolic processes or following injury and inflammation. If these waste products accumulate, they can damage the blood-brain barrier or the blood-CSF barrier, leading to a cascade of cellular dysfunction and inflammation that can contribute to chronic pain or nerve dysfunction. In horses, the proprioception system—which is essential for the body’s awareness of its own position in space—relies heavily on sensory input from various structures, including the musculoskeletal system and nervous system. The cranial nerves, specifically the trigeminal nerve (CN V), and other sensory components play a critical role in proprioception by transmitting information about the position of the limbs, head, and body to the brain- enabling coordinated movement and posture. Any dysfunction in this system, including disruptions to cranial nerve function, can impair the horse’s ability to perceive and control limb positioning, leading to altered movement patterns and potentially disruptive habits.

When proprioception is impaired, horses may rely more on visual cues or compensatory body movements, leading to overcompensated movement patterns. These could include habits like uneven weight-bearing, or overreaching with certain limbs, dragging limbs, or misaligned head postures which can result in long-term musculoskeletal stress and joint dysfunction.