MUSCULAR SYSTEM

Muscles are made up of thousands of fibres which flex and extend to provide movement. The major Superficial muscles are shown in the diagram above and are provided as a reference. Each muscle originates from a stable part of the skeleton to which it is attached. ( see skeletal link above) Most muscles work in pairs or groups . To enable the horse to move, one muscle must shorten (contract) while its opposing muscles lengthens (relaxes). When muscles work in this way they are known as 'antagonistic pairs'

1 - Trapezius	2 - Splenius	3 - Rhomboideus	4 - Brachiocephalic
5 - Masseter Muscle	6 - Supraspinatus	7 - Infraspinatus	8 - Deltoid
9 - Triceps	10 - Latissimus dorsi	11 - Pectoral	12 - Serratus magnus
13 - Intercostal Muscles	14 - Gluteal muscles	15 - Tensor vaginae femoris	16 - Biceps femoris
17 - Semi fendinosus	18 - Extensor metacarpi magnus	19 - Extensor pedis	20 - Flexor metacarpi
21 - Flexor metatarsi	22 - Extensor pedis	23 - Flexor pedis	24 - Gastrocnemius
25 - Peroneus	<