11/10/2026
SPINAL FLOW — a key player in harmonious movement ✨
A healthy spine = one that can fluidly & easily transition between different types of movement, without restriction, bracing and compensation.
This is a concept I focus heavily on within The Functional Engagement and Release Approach, referred to as Spinal Flow. It’s the principle that the spinal column should be able to mobilise longitudinally, laterally and rotationally with each region contributing to movement in their own unique way.
🐴 Cervical Spine | Freedom and positioning
The neck offers considerable mobility, allowing the horse to flex, extend, bend laterally and rotate to varying degrees. Its positioning also influences balance and how the horse organises the rest of its body.
🐴 Thoracic Spine | Stability and connection
The thoracic region is closely associated with the ribcage and provides an important foundation for trunk stability, load transfer and movement between the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Its movement is more constrained, but the subtle contributions of flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation are still important.
🐴 Lumbar Spine | Force transmission & control
The lumbar region provides relative stability while allowing controlled movement, particularly in flexion and extension. It plays an important role in transmitting forces between the hindquarters and the trunk.
🐴 Lumbosacral Junction | Engagement and power
This region is particularly important for flexion and extension associated with pelvic positioning and hindlimb mechanics, contributing to the horse’s ability to organise its body during transitions and more demanding movements.
Spinal Flow follows the clear biomechanical principles that movement doesn’t happen in isolation. Even a simple change from a circle to a straight line requires reorganisation of posture… the co-ordination of movement between spinal regions.
Within The FER Approach, we walk the horse through common struggles such as: moving from longitudinal stretch into lateral bending and rotation, co-ordination of lateral bend with engagement and stability… whilst fully assessing at which point dysfunction occurs.
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