Pectoral Muscle and Girthyness

yaffsimone1

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Please forgive me if i am referring this this part of my mares anatomy incorrectly....

I haven't had my TB mare long and we currently are ironing out all the little niggles.

Attached are three photos of the right elbow, left elbow and belly.


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http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20137&d=1378055436

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http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20138&d=1378055450

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Just behind the right elbow, the pectoral muscle (this is the triangular muscle directly behind the elbow right??) looks relatively smooth, with the exception of the small pea sized lump which doesn't appear to cause her any bother.

The photo of the muscle behind the left elbow if different and to me appears to be showing a tight and knotted muscle, what do you think??

When girthing up from this side (and from the right but that side isn't so bad) she is very grumpy and biting.

Is this a knotted / tight muscle that needs a bit of massaging and stretching? she doesn't always walk out very well and if her muscles are tight i'm wondering if this is the cause.

I may be completely wrong but there definately something up with her left side and your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Im not sure it needs a vet at this stage, if it is something i can put right with a bit of manipulation

Also attached is a third photo of her belly....any ideas of what the bald patch could be down to?
 
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I would ask your vet if they can recommend a physio that can come out and treat her, if she is otherwise sound and well that should be a good starting point, the physio will then send a report to your vet on what work was done, so if later you do have any further concerns the vet knows what was treated and how the horse responded to that treatment.
It probably is due to tightness but worth getting a professional involved now rather than assuming the girthyness is just her being grumpy when it may be easily resolved with one or two physio sessions, if the physio has any concerns they will then refer you to the vet.
 
I do have the number of a physio who i will call, she is sound in every way just very sensitive in this area. She isn't sensitive anywhere else in her back or withers, she happily lets me tighten the girth when i'm in the saddle. I also stretch her front legs out after girthing up. I also girth up one hole at a time due to her sensitivity
 
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