Vital Motion

Vital Motion Vital Motion provides customized performance, recovery, and maintenance care. Each session is customized — no templates and no one-size-fits-all plans.

Tools and techniques are selected based on the individual, their workload, history, and goals.

The first rib is one of the most overlooked restrictions in horses.The first rib connects the neck to the shoulder and t...
03/23/2026

The first rib is one of the most overlooked restrictions in horses.

The first rib connects the neck to the shoulder and thorax.

When restricted it can affect:

• shoulder movement
• thoracic sling function
• nerve pathways leaving the neck

03/16/2026

Follow along for the full case study series

Why does the neck matter when the problem is in the hind leg?This horse showed strong responses at:• C5• C6• C7• First r...
03/14/2026

Why does the neck matter when the problem is in the hind leg?

This horse showed strong responses at:

• C5
• C6
• C7
• First rib

These areas influence:

• nerve communication
• shoulder movement
• weight distribution

If these areas lose mobility, horses may shift how they load the rest of their body.

Sometimes the place that finally shows symptoms is far away from the restriction.

03/13/2026

Yawning isn’t just “cute.” It’s a release.

When the nervous system shifts out of stress mode, horses will often yawn, lick, chew, or drop their head.

It’s a sign the body is letting go of restriction and tension.

Sometimes the biggest changes happen in the quiet moments. 🐎✨

The body rarely compensates in a straight line.When something hurts, horses change how they move.That change creates a c...
03/12/2026

The body rarely compensates in a straight line.

When something hurts, horses change how they move.

That change creates a chain reaction through the body.

For example:

Left hind discomfort
↓
Pelvic compensation
↓
Back tension
↓
Shoulder loading changes
↓
Neck restriction

The body tries to protect itself.

But eventually something else becomes overloaded.

I had a pretty good assistant today.Whenever a horse stays with us more chances than not it will get pampered!
03/11/2026

I had a pretty good assistant today.

Whenever a horse stays with us more chances than not it will get pampered!

03/11/2026

This horse came in for a swollen pastern… but the strongest responses showed up in the neck.

03/10/2026

This horse came in for swelling in the left hind pastern.

But the body told a completely different story.

Recurring swelling in the left hind pastern that causes lameness after exercise.

A tight muscle chain through that leg.

But when scanning the body, the strongest responses showed up somewhere unexpected.

• C5
• C6
• C7
• First rib (left side)

Over the next few posts I'm going to walk through how the body compensates and why the problem you see isn’t always where the problem started.

Stay tuned.

A horse with no hind end” isn’t always a training issue.Sometimes it’s kidney involvement.The kidneys play a major role ...
03/09/2026

A horse with no hind end” isn’t always a training issue.

Sometimes it’s kidney involvement.

The kidneys play a major role in vascularization and fluid regulation.
They have fascial and neurologic relationships with the diaphragm and direct mechanical influence into the pelvic region.

When there is restriction around the kidney region:

• It can increase tension through the psoas
• The psoas becomes reactive
• The hip becomes fixed
• The ilium rotates ventrally
• Push from behind diminishes

Now you see:
▫️ Poor topline
▫️ Lack of engagement
▫️ One hip that won’t free up
▫️ Chronic one-sided resistance

What looks like weakness may actually be compensation.

Movement tells the story — if you know how to read it.

— Vital Motion
Supporting soundness, comfort & performance

03/09/2026

Why do horses yawn after bodywork?

Yawning is often a sign of nervous system release.

As tension decreases and the body shifts out of a protective state, horses may:
• yawn
• lick and chew
• blink softly
• lower their head
• take deeper breaths

These responses suggest the body is transitioning toward relaxation and regulation.

It’s not training.
It’s not behavior correction.
It’s the nervous system resetting.

When the body feels safe, movement improves naturally.

Vital Motion
Where motion supports comfort & performance.

03/05/2026

Things horse owners often miss 👇

Discomfort doesn’t always look like lameness.

More often, it looks like:
• frequent yawning or tension holding
• difficulty standing square
• shortened stride before obvious issues
• resistance in transitions
• behavior changes labeled as “attitude”

Horses compensate incredibly well.

By the time pain is obvious, the body has usually been adapting for a while.

Movement changes whisper before they shout.

— Vital Motion

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406 James Garcia Lane
Gonzales, TX
78629

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