The Quadriceps and other leg muscles





			Written by Sue Morris

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	"The good rider must be able to lay claim to an education. Then he also feels the need to analyse his actions. He will try to deduce them from nature by scientific means, and form a system that can serve as a foundation for all his individual actions."

Louis Seeger (1844)

If you’ve come this far, you are obviously a keen student! But I put this quote here because there are those riders / teachers who think that learning about anatomy is too much unnecessary information. Everything in classical riding is based in the biomechanics and psychology of the horse and rider which gives it a logical cause and effect. Those who can’t be bothered to learn about his aspect of their riding a missing out on a huge chunk of knowledge and could be putting far too much effort into their riding and getting very little result from their horse.


	Some people love to know all the parts involved in moving the body; some like to be aware of where it is they are experiencing a "feeling"; others just ride without ever needing (or wanting) to know.


	Muscles of the Thigh - Quadriceps Group


	(other names: Quads / Heads)

(1) Rectus Femoris - extends the leg, flexes the thigh

(2) Vastus Lateralis (Externus) - extends leg

(4)Vastus Medialis (Internus) - extends leg

(a) Tensor Fascia Latae - flexes, abducts, and medially rotates the thigh

(f) Iliopsoas - flexes the thigh; flexes and laterally bends the lumbar vertebral column

(g) Pectineus - adducts, flexes, and medially rotates the thigh

(h) Adductor Longus - adducts, flexes, and medially rotates the femur

(i) Gracilis - adducts the thigh, flexes and medially rotates the thigh, flexes the leg.


	Glossary of Terms


	Abduct - draw away from the mid-line of the body


	Adduct - draw towards the mid-line of the body


	Flex - bend

	Extend - straighten


	Medially rotate - turn towards the middle


	Muscle Use In Riding


	Muscle Diagrams


	Pelvis Diagrams


	Abdominals