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We retrain your horse’s body to perform at its best.

That is the purpose of Muscle Reconstruction Therapy – retraining muscles back to their most effective way of working. The process requires a highly skilled practitioner with a thorough knowledge of conformation, breed and riding disciplines - someone who can accurately assess a horse’s movement issues, and then work with the animal to re-create correct muscle memory.

In working with the horse’s musculature, the goal of the treatment is to reconstruct the halves and

seven regions of the horse’s body as closely as possible to its natural state of balance. As a result, the underlying, less obvious muscle “structures” such as the spring-like and accordion-like structures in the horse’s body can do their jobs better. When they do, the horse moves easily and effortlessly.

The first step: Cindy looks for overly developed muscles, incorrect hair flow, left/right symmetry and how well the underside integrates with the top line. Other key indicators: whether the hind end and front end are working together to lift upwards and forward, and how the horse moves the seven regions of its body independently. At the same time, Cindy carefully reviews all information from the veterinarian, farrier, owner and trainer.

The second step: Cindy works with the animal’s muscles within the seven regions to increase range of motion, loosen tightness, and reestablish communication between the muscles so that they may better respond and fire. She continues by working between the seven regions, and the left and right halves of the body, reestablishing effective muscular communication, a more natural balance and improved movement. After reeducating the muscles, Cindy then helps the horse to memorize the new patterns for using its muscles.

Once muscle reconstruction therapy makes it possible for the horse to move correctly, movement therapy is usually needed to strengthen weak muscles and reinforce the now correct way of moving until it becomes habitual. Cindy will suggest a program of movement therapy appropriate for the horse, and take on this training for you.

Muscle reconstruction therapy is ideal for conditions such as intermittent lameness that aren’t responding properly to the usual treatments, or problems that persist even with the best care and shoeing. The duration of each horse’s treatment varies, depending on the kind and severity of an injury, the length of time since the original injury occurred, and other factors like age, work schedule, level of fitness and conformation.

Please understand that Cindy’s first concern is for your horse and what will be most beneficial to its long term health and well-being.

Accordion and springs relaxed and active.

Accordion and springs relaxed

Front and back halves.

Seven Regions.

Head, neck, shoulder, back, loin, croup, and tail.

Left and right halves.

Top and bottom halves.

Here is what happens. Even a small injury in one area of your horse's body triggers a muscular domino effect. Another group of muscles attempts to compensate and rebalance the way your horse moves.

When those muscles become overused, they may lock up or stiffen. This leads to further problems in a second location as your horse again attempts to rebalance its movement patterns. This affects other regions, where new issues crop up, apparently unrelated to the original injury. Diagnosis and treatment become difficult. Meanwhile your horse has adapted painfully to an entirely new, far less desirable pattern of movement that gets locked in muscle memory.

Returning your horse to its original, optimal balance takes a special kind of treatment.

WHAT IS MUSCLE RECONSTRUCTION THERAPY (MRT)?