The heart and lungs of ponies can be considered the engine on the field?

The cardiovascular and respiratory systems work closely together to circulate nutrients and blood flow throughout the body. Without them, there would be no life, no game. Just as without an engine, a car would not run. So do these form the engine on the pitch and determine performance in a game?

The heart is vital for the circulation of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and for transporting waste products and deoxygenated blood from the tissues. The lungs are vital for gas exchange, providing the O2 that the arterial system must transport and removing the CO2 that the venous system returns and removes.

The diaphragm also plays a vital role in lung and heart function, and therefore in gas exchange, which in turn influences cellular metabolism. The function of the ribs as a musculoskeletal structure and its joint mobility with the dorsal spine, is also influenced by the diaphragm, and if the function of the ribs is compromised due to musculoskeletal problems, it can affect the animal's respiratory and cardiac systems. Any compromise of these elements will affect vitality and performance on the court. Therefore, it is important to understand that it is not only the musculoskeletal system that is important, but all the systems of an animal's body - cardiac, respiratory, lymphatic, nervous - including environmental, psychological and behavioural components.

As osteopaths, to ensure the wellbeing of the animals and players we treat, we take into account all internal components, the structure, but also the physiological and psychological, along with the influencing external factors. We aim to alleviate and resolve any restrictions that may be hindering blood flow or cellular repair or improve lung and rib function to enhance gas exchange and support cellular metabolism. Working using the somatic system and influencing the structures, is a skill that allows osteopaths to target underlying structures such as the heart and lungs and positively support vitality and performance in the game.