Clicky horse?

Pigeon

Pigeon

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Arggh, Pip has a clicky shoulder. Only noticed it in the last few weeks and been trying to ignore it/pretend it's his shoes etc, but it's definitely his shoulder or leg, or possibly the base of his neck.

He's a 10 year old ex racer. Is this something I should worry about? He's on a glucosamine/msm supplement, he can be a little stiff through his back for a few minutes if he's been stabled overnight, but he is definitely sound.

The horse I had before him was pts at 7, for a severe spinal problem, the one before that was retired for most of his life because of spavins in his hocks, and my mum's pony turned out to have navicular, so I am totally paranoid about any bony change type issues. :frown3:

My knees click when I walk, and they don't bother me, but I do have arthritis! So not really that reassuring. Apart from the supplement and careful work (he only has to do dressage and hacking, he's not going to be hammered into the ground) are there any preventative measures I can take to slow the progress if he does have arthritis?
 
I'd get your physio to look at him! my boy had a click higher up in his neck, you could hear it when he moved his head, turns out he was sore in the poll and a bit of work on that area seems to have stopped the clicking

sure its nothing to worry about though
 
Thankyou!!

Had the physio a couple of months ago (he tripped out on a hack and hurt his bottom) and she gave him the all clear, but I think I might ask her to come out again and have a look, as the clicking is definitely a recent development.
 
Get your physio to check him over - may be something's just a bit 'tight' somewhere. However, in reality I wouldn't worry too much if he's moving normally and doesn't seem to have any issues. My horses has had 'clicky' stifles (or something somewhere 'back there') for as long as I can remember. He's never had any issues - yes maybe he's a bit stiffer these days but he's 22 now and has spent his life, from the age of 4, competing at showjumping, xc, eventing and regular hacking. We still compete to a lesser degree now and he's still clicky! :)
 
my mare has a clicky shoulder, she is 28 now though! she's always been fine, never lame and doesn't have arthritis or anything! but i'd get yours looked at as he is still only young!
 
Thanks guys, reassuring!! :D I didn't even think it could be a soft tissue issue, just assumed it was bone and got the fear!
 
I was always under the impression that a clicking was normally air/gas moving within a joint so could be due to tension somewhere if just suddenly started but, like some people who have clicky fingers, wrists etc, it could also just be one of those things!
 
Mine has a clicky fetlock (to the point where I can locate black pony in the dark by listening for the click, I feel like a bat!) Both vet and physio have said nothing to worry about especially as he is sound. It pops like a gunshot if he's been stood in for a while, really disturbing, but as I said, the experts weren't even slightly bothered by it.
 
I wouldn't worry too much - my 7 year old has clicked in the rear region since he was much younger. Comes up a bit stiff sometimes too, especially when it's cold. Had vet out for flexion tests etc, all clear. Physio/chiro both clear too. He works well so don't worry about it so much anymore. You will get used to the noise!! :P
 
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