Recurrent front leg issue (seems to be shoulder) - any ideas what it might be? Calling vet tomorrow obviously, just wondering…!

[maya2008]

So… a couple of years ago, the Shetland stopped wanting to jump. She’s getting on in years and we thought, fair enough to be honest. Sound and happy in all other ways. Then last summer she hurt herself - limping on a front leg. No heat or swelling, eating fine so we left her to move v slowly round her field and it healed up after a few weeks. Back to normal thereafter, hacking miles, cantering lots and having a good time. Gradually over the winter she began to be a little slower in canter, but again - she’s not young and so she now enjoys a quieter life. Feb this year she re-did the shoulder issue chasing one of the babies around. Field rest didn’t do much as she wouldn’t stand still enough, so box rested for a week or two and she came out stiff but otherwise sound. A week later was 100% fine.

Annnnd now she’s done it again.

So - any ideas what it could be? I am calling the vet tomorrow but am wondering now (out of curiosity) what it could be? Same shoulder every time, no correlation to work (current workload was tiny tots hacks in walk and gentle trot).

 

[Leandy]

How do you know it is the shoulder? The old saying goes that 90% of lameness is in the foot and that is where vets always start. I would be looking more closely at the foot.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Agree with above shoulder injuries are really not that common I would get the vet and do a lameness work up.

 

[Sossigpoker]

There would need to be a significant injury to the shoulder for if to cause lameness and you would know about it - like being hit by a car or similar.
It is very unlikely to be originating from the shoulder like others have said.
A lameness which improves with rest but reoccurs once exercise is started again tends to be tendon or ligament related.

 

[AmyMay]

What did the vet diagnose initially?

 

[horsecrazyblonde]

Would also be interested to know what vets initial diagnosis was?