Lauriane McCallum Integrated Equine Bodywork

Fascia: The Updated Map of the Body’s Connective Network

There is a newer, more formal classification of the fascial system that is becoming increasingly recognized in equine anatomy.

Here’s the clear summary of the most current view:

The New Classification of the Fascial System

The Fascia Research Society (FRS) and the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) have outlined a modern, unified classification that moves far beyond the older “superficial vs. deep fascia” model.

The contemporary definition sees fascia as a body-wide, three-dimensional, continuous connective-tissue network, and the system is divided into four major categories:

1. Superficial Fascia
• Located just under the skin
• Highly hydrated, rich in nerves
• Houses adipose tissue
• Major role in sensory input, thermoregulation, glide, and fluid dynamics

2. Deep/Muscular Fascia
• Dense connective tissue around muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments
• Includes epimysium, perimysium, endomysium
• Responsible for force transmission (including epimuscular force transmission)
• Major role in proprioception and muscle coordination

3. Visceral Fascia (Splanchnic Fascia)
• Connective tissue surrounding and suspending organs
• Includes mesentery, pleura, pericardium, mediastinum
• Involved in visceral mobility, stability, motility, and visceral–somatic pain patterns

4. Neural Fascia (Meningeal Fascia)
• Envelops and supports the nervous system
• Includes dura mater, epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium
• Critical for neural glide, tension regulation, and mechanosensory input

The Most Important Shift

The new classification is based on the concept of the “fascial continuum” — meaning:

Fascia is not a collection of separate sheets but a continuous organ system with regional specializations.

This reclassification also aligns with the concept of fascia as an organ of communication, integrating:
• mechanical sensing
• proprioception
• nociception
• autonomic regulation
• fluid dynamics
• force transmission
• inflammatory responses

Relevance to Equine Science, Massage & Bodywork

For horses, this classification is extremely helpful because:
• The visceral fascia explains referred pain patterns (as in ulcer-induced movement changes).
• The deep fascial system explains global force transmission and compensatory patterns.
• The neural fascia helps explain vagal tone, autonomic responses, and tension patterns.
• The superficial fascia relates heavily to sensation, bracing, coat changes, edema, and swelling.

This is why equine movement, posture, and pain can reflect problems far from the apparent site.

https://koperequine.com/the-language-of-fascia/

Hunters’ bump explained by the brilliant

With the welcomed addition of Dr Carol Shwetz DVM to this work I’ve been very quiet on the pelvic collapse front….not because there hasn’t been work happening but because joining all the dots together with the breadcrumbs horses bodies leave us has become a recognisable pattern. One that has formed quite the data set for collecting information and recognising patterns. With the formation of Etica Equine Charitable Trust to under take this mammoth task in collating the data. We are lucky to have two academics on the board of trustees to oversee this study.

Organising all the data points and understanding what might be happening at what point is a massive task! The changes we are seeing from hooves to lumbar and up the connections of soft tissues is truely quiet the chain of action and reaction. Compensation seems to play a huge role in the way the body adapts to such a mechanical failure of the skeletal system. The changes to soft tissues are notable and obvious in dissection.

I value working as part of a team so much because this work is truely overwhelming at times. If you follow me on patreon, I’ve been very honest about the toll of the work. This is going to take a community of collaboration. For more information on our pelvic study, check out the Etica website www.eticaequine.com

I have done an updated video on patreon discussing some of the new discussions happening around what the bones are recording and how dissections are leading the conversations.

https://www.patreon.com/Becks_nairn/posts/pelvic-collapse-169186730

Part 3: The Pectorals

In the previous post, we looked at some of the extrinsic muscles and how they organize the forelimb and shoulder in relation to the rest of the body.

Now let's follow one potential compensation pattern, beginning underneath the horse with the pectoral muscles.

The problem begins when muscles that should be able to contract and return to neutral start maintaining more tension than the situation requires.

Why might the pectorals become chronically tight?

There isn't one answer. Muscle tone is regulated by the nervous system and continually adapts to the demands placed on the body.

Saddle and girth fit are worth considering.

Equipment that creates discomfort or excessive pressure around the sternum, ribcage, or shoulder can contribute to guarding through the chest. An overtightened girth may add another source of compression to tissues that are already struggling to move freely.

Habitual movement on the forehand can also change the demands placed on the pectoral musculature.

When a horse consistently manages more of their weight and movement through the front end, the muscles surrounding the chest and shoulder may be asked to provide more stabilization, deceleration, and control.

Lameness, hoof pain, and hoof imbalance are another important part of the picture.

The hoof is the interface between the horse and the ground. If landing or loading a foot is uncomfortable, the horse doesn't simply stop using that hoof. They find another way to organize the limb and the rest of the body around it.

Conditions such as navicular syndrome, thrush, heel pain, or low, collapsed, or run-forward heels may alter how comfortably a horse loads the foot, how the limb moves through stance and swing, and how force travels upward through the leg.

The resulting protective strategy can extend well beyond the hoof.

A horse may shorten the stride, change the landing pattern, reduce movement through the shoulder, or increase muscular stabilization higher up the limb. The pectorals may become part of that strategy as the horse attempts to protect a painful or mechanically compromised structure below.

Breathing and Diaphragm function

If breathing mechanics become restricted, due to altered ribcage mobility, pain, stress, or another underlying issue, the horse may recruit surrounding musculature differently to help stabilize and move the thorax.

That can increase demand on muscles around the chest and shoulder, including the pectoral region.

What might chronic pectoral tension look like?

These observations aren't meant to be diagnostic, rather they're clues that may give us a reason to look more closely.

Girth sensitivity may be one clue.

A horse might become defensive as the girth is tightened. Pectoral tension is certainly not the only possible cause of girthiness, but compression of already sensitive or guarded tissues around the sternum and chest may contribute.

A shortened or restricted forelimb stride may be another.

Because the pectoral musculature contributes to positioning the limb, excessive tone can influence how freely the forelimb moves. The horse may appear short or choppy through the front end, lack an easy forward reach, or have reduced freedom moving the limb.

Camped-under forelimbs

The deep pectorals have attachments between the sternum and humerus and contribute to retraction of the forelimb. During stance, that relationship also helps move the trunk forward over the grounded limb.

When excessive resting tone changes this relationship, the humerus and forelimb may be held farther underneath the body rather than resting more vertically beneath the shoulder.

A downhill appearance

The serratus ventralis, whose job includes supporting the thorax between the scapulae and helping absorb and return forces during locomotion, may have to increase its stabilizing activity to resist that downward pull of the pectorals.

Over time, the entire system can become less adaptable: the pectorals pull from below, the muscles around the scapula increase stabilization, and the serratus has less space to dynamically support the thorax.

The ribcage may begin to sit lower between the scapulae, with less elevation through the withers.

A base-narrow stance

The transverse pectorals contribute to drawing the forelimbs toward the midline.

Excessive tone through this region may therefore be one factor in a horse who habitually stands unusually narrow through the front end.

Reduced tissue mobility around the elbow and chest may also be noticeable on palpation.

When you explore the tissues where the limb meets the ribcage, the area may feel dense and resistant rather than soft and responsive almost like the elbow is “glued” to the ribcage.

These observations simply give us information about how the horse may be organizing their body, but if the pectorals are maintaining more tension, that tension doesn't stay isolated.

So what happens above the pectorals?

That's where we'll go next.

🥳 It’s Official! 🥳

I’m absolutely delighted to say that I have officially passed my IAAT Professional Massage Practitioner Qualification — with Distinction! 👩‍🎓🐴

What started as a desire to understand horses’ bodies a little better has grown into something I’m incredibly excited to bring into my work. I can now officially integrate equine massage into my services and continue developing my practice with a much deeper understanding of the horse as a whole.

For me, massage isn’t simply about working on tight muscles. It’s about listening to the horse, understanding what their body is telling us, and creating the space for them to soften, release and reconnect with themselves. Every horse has been different, and every one has taught me something along the way.

A huge thank you to my tutor Becky at Little Green Stables for her knowledge, encouragement and support throughout the course, and to the International Association of Animal Therapists (IAAT) for such a fascinating and comprehensive qualification.

And, of course, the biggest thank you goes to all of the wonderful horses and ponies who have let me learn, practise, question, observe and grow alongside them. ❤️

I’m so excited to see where this next chapter takes me and to meet many more horses and their people along the way.

I’m now open to new clients and referrals! 🐴✨

If you’d like to find out more about equine massage or book a session in the Exeter area, please get in touch:

📱 WhatsApp: 07473 778118
📧 Email: [email protected]

Here’s to continuing to learn, listen and work with the horse. 🐴❤️

Horses are exceptionally sensitive to touch, posture, facial expressions, and the emotional quality behind our interactions.

Skilled therapeutic touch can influence not only muscles and fascia, but also the horse’s nervous system, helping create an environment where relaxation, learning, and recovery are more likely.

https://koperequine.com/connection-the-oldest-language-of-the-nervous-system/

I am delighted to announce that I have passed my Equine Massage Therapy theory exam with distinction, and I am very excited for my path ahead 🥰🐴

My intention when joining this course is to make a real difference for horses in this world, supporting them through their journey alongside us 🩵