Muscle loss on hindquarters - Anyone know what causes it??

[silverstar]

Anyone know what causes muscle loss on hindquarters? My horse has lost muscle on both his hindquarters. Is it simply a lack of exercise. He isnt doing much at the moment maybe 1 hack a week of an hour duration.

He is slightly overweight should be 585kg and is 595kg altho looks overweight and has bags of fat starting by his withers.

 

[GoJo]

lack of excercise ? my horses work 5/6 days a week and hacks at the weekend are 3-4 hours long and they are still lacking in serious muscle.

 

[BethH]

Can be caused by Cushings but don't want to be an alarmist????

 

[hellybelly6]

Could be neurological, could be a problem with the pelvis esp if horse has been galloping around the field and fallen.

I would suggest having your vet take a look and take things from there.

 

[AandK]

agree with hb6.. esp as you say the horse is overweight, it is unusual for them to have marked muscle wastage on their hindquarters as this would usually be covered by a layer of fat..
i would get vet and physio to look at him, could be back/pelvis/sacroilliac related amongst other things.

 

[cob1]

My TB has sacrioliac problems due to a fall when racing - although his is a subluxation so has more muscle on one side than the other as his pelvis is out.

 

[cellie]

Mine had loss of muscle on one side with his spavin.A friends horse had the same both sides as he had spavin in both legs.