Acuscope by Ashley

06/12/2026

I’m going to do another 4-part series starting by discussing the anatomy and function of the hyoid apparatus!!

Aka one of my all-time FAVORITE anatomical topics to nerd out about🤭

The hyoid apparatus looks a lot like a swing from a playground located in between the two mandibles. Attaching up to the skull underneath the temporal bone (underneath the ear) at the temperohyoid joint.

Dysfunction of the hyoid can present as a slew of different symptoms such as behavior issues, mysterious lameness, and/or neurologic changes, etc. I’ve seen it first hand with Booty… leading me to where I am today, so impressed by anatomical connections from head to tail…literally! HOW COOL is the body?!

The hyoid apparatus is a team of several bones that work together to assist the body in many functions.

Some of the key functions -
𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
The hyoid apparatus provides the primary skeletal framework supporting the tongue.
Without it, coordinated tongue movement would not be possible.

𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠
During swallowing, the hyoid apparatus elevates and moves caudally, coordinating movement of the tongue, pharynx, and larynx.
Super important in protecting the airway and moving feed towards the esophagus!!

𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 / 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
**We’re going to dive more into this later… Follow along in this series 😉**
Helps stabilize the larynx

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥 + 𝐒𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬
Because the stylohyoid bones connect to the temporal bones, movement of the tongue and larynx can influence forces transmitted to the skull.
Likewise, restrictions at the poll or temporohyoid region may affect hyoid function.

𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬
This is where things get SO cool.

The hyoid apparatus functions as a biomechanical bridge between from the head, ultimately throughout the entire body through muscular and fascial connections.

Several major muscles attach directly to the hyoid apparatus establishing direct connections between the head, sternum, shoulder, throughout the trunk, all the way back to the hind end. There’s a lot to this that I will talk about more specifically in later posts.

𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒚!
Starting with the bony structures -

𝐓𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 (2 total, paired)
Small cartilage connecting the stylohyoid to the temporal bone

𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 (2 total, paired)
The longest pair, articulating to the temporal bone
Extend dorsally (up… think dorsal… dolfin fin) toward the skull
Most susceptible to temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO)

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 (2 total, paired)
Located between the stylohyoid and ceratohyoid

𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 (2 total, paired)
Connects the epihyoid to the basihyoid
Extend from the basihyoid toward the skull
Transmit forces between the tongue, pharynx, and upper hyoid structures

𝐓𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝
Attaches to the thyroid cartilage of the larynx
“Thyro”hyoid…Attaches to “thyro”id cartilage😉

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝
Supports the lingual process of the tongue
Located beneath the tongue… The “base”
Primary attachment point for numerous muscles assisting in tongue movement, swallowing and laryngeal position

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬
Projecting rostrally (towards the front) from the basihyoid
Extends into the base of the tongue

𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒔!!

Tongue Muscles
• Genioglossus
• Hyoglossus
• Styloglossus

Suprahyoid Muscles
• Mylohyoideus
• Geniohyoideus
• Digastricus

Infrahyoid Muscles
• Sternohyoideus
• Sternothyroideus
• Omohyoideus

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬
Connects the hyoid to the sternum, continuing into the pectorals, abdominals, all the way to the pelvis through fascia

𝐎𝐦𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝
Connects the hyoid to fascia around the shoulder joint medially (towards the midline)
From the shoulder, the ventral fascia line continues through the body running back the hind limb

𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞
Connects the hyoid to the poll, linking through the dorsal line (nuchal ligament and dorsal fascia) back to the hind end

Next, we’ll dive deeper making connections between the larynx and pharynx with the hyoid!!

#𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨

06/10/2026

This pod cast with Dr Tanner is so so good. He speaks a lot of truth. The details matter 💯

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dl1sd9ZOwbbgGWFmOJiWg?si=GyLlfNwzSUiT_88M1wJF_A

Let's Freakin' Rodeo · Episode

05/26/2026

🐴 The 5 Diaphragms of Equine Osteopathy

The word diaphragm does not simply mean “breathing muscle.”

The term originates from the Greek meaning:
“to divide” or “partition.”

Osteopathically, diaphragms can be thought of as key transitional zones or “compartments” within the body…

…areas where pressure, tension, movement, circulation, nerve function and fascial continuity all interact.

And when one loses adaptability, the effects rarely stay local.

One restriction can begin influencing:

- movement
- breathing
- thoracic sling function
- pelvic mechanics
- lumbar stability
- circulation
- nervous system tone
- and compensation patterns throughout the horse.

One of the biggest shifts in osteopathic thinking is moving away from seeing the horse as isolated body parts…

…and instead understanding the horse as a connected system of pressure regulation, load transfer, fascia, neurology and compensation.

This is where the concept of the 5 diaphragms becomes so important.

Not simply “breathing diaphragms”…

…but integrated regions that influence:

- movement
- circulation
- pressure regulation
- load transfer
- proprioception
- compensation patterns
- and even the horse’s ability to relax and organise movement efficiently.

When one area loses adaptability, the body rarely compensates locally.

A restriction through one diaphragm may begin influencing:

- rib mobility
- forelimb loading
- hindlimb engagement
- pelvic organisation
- breathing mechanics
- spinal tension
- autonomic nervous system tone
- and overall movement quality.

This is one of the reasons some horses:

- never seem to “hold” treatment
- continue compensating despite strengthening work
- become chronically tight
- struggle with transitions or canter
- brace through the thorax or pelvis
- appear reactive, tense or unable to soften properly
- or keep developing recurring patterns elsewhere in the body.

Because the body is constantly redistributing pressure, force and tension through the entire system.

The 5 diaphragms are often described osteopathically as including areas such as:

- the pelvic diaphragm
- the respiratory diaphragm
- the thoracic inlet
- the tongue/hyoid complex
- and the cranial/tentorial region

but the important thing is not memorising names.

The important thing is understanding that the horse functions as one integrated system.

Not separate compartments.

This way of thinking completely changes how you begin interpreting:

- movement
- posture
- breathing
- asymmetry
- compensation
- “behaviour”
- recurring rehab failure
- and chronic performance issues.

This is a huge area within osteopathic thinking and something I’ll be expanding on much more in future posts, webinars and courses.

If you’d like me to do separate posts explaining each of the 5 diaphragms individually and how they relate to movement, compensation and the nervous system >

Please comment

👇 5 diaphragms

05/26/2026

♥️

05/23/2026

🎉🎉💥🦄

05/23/2026

Congratulations to all involved! It’s so fun to be behind the scenes and experience all emotions 🦄🎉 it was a good week at the royal crown 👑

05/19/2026

Worth every penny! 🫁

🔬 𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 🦠

Not all respiratory issues in horses are easy to pin down. Sometimes it’s subtle signs like reduced stamina, a mild cough, or just not performing like they used to. That’s where the BAL comes in.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐀𝐋?
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) is the gold standard test that lets us sample cells from the deepest parts of the lungs. By placing a small tube through the nasal passage and into the lower airways, we push fluid and then collect it back to analyze exactly what’s happening at a microscopic level.

👀𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
When we evaluate a BAL sample, we’re looking closely at the types and proportions of cells present in the lower airways. In a healthy horse, lung fluid is populated by macrophages and lymphocytes.

Shifts in these populations tell us a lot. An increase in neutrophils can indicate inflammation such as equine asthma, while the presence of red blood cells or blood-laden macrophages can point toward exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Changes in these cell populations give us critical clues about airway inflammation, bleeding, or disease progression.

Bronchoalveolar lavage gives us a clearer, more precise understanding of what’s happening deep within your horse’s lungs. Allowing for an accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment, and better long-term respiratory health for your horse! When it comes to performance and comfort, having the right answers makes all the difference!

www.sehtx.com | 📱254-968-7898

05/17/2026

I’m always an advocate when it comes to learning. Even if they run a similar or completely different modality, the equipment is only 10% of that technician. It’s the experience you learn from, and you can learn from everyone! Especially when they come with the knowledge that Carrie has with Healthy Equine Therapy 👏🏼. She and I see each other often on the road. I’m so thankful she made a pitstop and let me pick her brain. These horses deserve nothing but the best! Team work makes the dream work ⚡️💥