Core Strength and the Performance Horse

In recent years much research in fitness training has discovered the value of core training. The bodys core includes the four main abdominal muscles the pelvic floor muscles and the erector spinal muscles which support the spine. Collectively these muscle groups keep the back straight and strong.
The four abdominal muscles the Rectus Abdominus Transverse Abdominus and Internal and External Obliques do much more than support the back. These four muscles compress the abdomen to aid in moving the contents of the various visceral organs through the body efficiently. These activities include urination defecation birthing and constant inhalation and expiration. If the core muscles are weakened or injured possible dysfunction in the visceral organ performance could result. Additionally when these same core muscles serve in the skeletal capacity they cause the body to move forward and back up and down and bend from side to side. No other muscle group provides such a diverse group of functions.