Understanding Cervical Anatomy: A Perfect Lead-Up to Our Mini Massage Advent.
As we count down to the start of the Wolds Equine Mini Massage Advent, it feels like the perfect time to introduce one of the themes we’ll be exploring in Day One’s Advent Vlog on 1st December: Cervical Effleurage and Soft Tissue Warm-Up.
Before we even place our hands on a horse’s neck, it’s really important that we understand the anatomy of the cervical region, not just in a general sense, but in a way that informs safe, effective, and purposeful massage techniques.
As we count down to the start of the Wolds Equine Mini Massage Advent, it feels like the perfect time to introduce one of the themes we’ll be exploring in Day One’s Advent Vlog on 1st December: Cervical Effleurage and Soft Tissue Warm-Up.
Before we even place our hands on a horse’s neck, it’s really important that we understand the anatomy of the cervical region, not just in a general sense, but in a way that informs safe, effective, and purposeful massage techniques.
The cervical region is not simply “the neck”. It is a complex structure of vertebrae, ligaments, musculature and neural pathways, many of which are far more vulnerable than they appear beneath the mane.
In particular, the poll region (the area just behind the ears) contains a number of highly sensitive structures with relatively little soft tissue protection. It is here that we find:
The atlanto-occipital joint, allowing movement between the head and neck
Important nerves and blood vessels
Multiple areas where the horse may already carry tension or sensitivity
A lack of substantial muscle padding to shield delicate structures
Because of this, it’s an area where we must be choosy with our strokes and deliberate in our techniques. A heavy hand or poorly directed pressure can cause discomfort, resistance, or even exacerbate existing issues.
5 Need-to-Know Facts About the Equine Cervical Region
5 Need-to-Know Facts About the Equine Cervical Region
1. The Horse Has Seven Cervical Vertebrae – Just Like Us
Despite having a much longer neck, horses have the same number of cervical vertebrae as humans: seven. These vertebrae run from the poll all the way to the base of the neck, creating a beautifully flexible yet finely balanced structure. Their length and shape, however, are uniquely adapted for grazing, balance, and communication.
2. The Poll Is a Sensitive, High-Risk Area
Just behind the ears lies the atlanto-occipital joint, along with major nerves, blood vessels, and delicate connective tissues. There’s very little soft tissue protection here, which is why the poll can be a source of tension and reactivity. This is also why massage techniques in this area must be light, informed, and carefully directed.
3. The Neck Houses Both Postural and Movement Muscles
The cervical region isn’t just for bending and flexing, it’s home to a mixture of deep stabilising muscles and larger movement muscles. Understanding the difference helps you choose strokes that respect the deeper structures while warming and mobilising the superficial tissues safely.
4. Tension in the Neck Affects the Whole Body
Because the cervical region plays a huge role in balance, proprioception, and spinal alignment, tightness or discomfort here can influence the back, shoulders, and even the horse’s way of going. A well-executed warm-up and gentle effleurage here can have benefits far beyond the neck itself.
5. Not All Parts of the Neck Are Equal in Terms of Pressure
From the heavily muscled mid-cervical region to the lightly protected poll and the narrow area around C3–C4, the neck has zones that respond differently to touch. This is why a knowledgeable therapist uses varying pressure, stroke choice, and angle of approach, ensuring each part of the cervical region receives what is appropriate, not what is uniform.
The Art of Choosing the Right Stroke
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