Recurring Muscle Strain: Sore Sides

[Bugly]

A few months ago I had issues with my mare rearing: thanks to advice from HHO and a chiro we discovered that poor old Hooch had really sore shoulder muscles that were giving her hell when she had to walk down a steep hill (hence why she was rearing at the top!).

Cut a long story short with lots of massage etc we have got over that problem and she's back to being a happy mare. Hunting or fast work in heavy ground causes the pain to come back however so we have been taking it easy this winter.

Last weekend I thoroughly checked her over after our hack on wet ground (thanks to melting snow) and rather than her shoulder being sore she couldn't bear me touching her sides; behind the girth going to her stifle.

I just cannot understand why this area would get so sore; there is nothing touching it. I have been rubbing arnica and witch hazel on every night and two small lumps have now come up behind the girth.

Does anyone have any experience of recurring muscle strain and what do to? I just don't seem able to conquer this problem with her and hate seeing her in so much pain.

 

[Birker2020]

I think she could have a cracked rib. My friends gelding had one either side of his body and the vet told her it was because a horse (my gelding was blamed as being a rig - it was dissproved eventually) had tried to mount him and squeezed his ribs with its front legs. The chiro was amazed about the vets conclusion as horses have not got muscle/bone structure to be able to cross their legs in such a way so they can grab hold. However, it did turn out my friends horse had fractured ribs so something had gone on.

 

[Bugly]

hmmmm interesting: think i'd better get the vet out!

 

[cob1]

This was the first symptom of my TBs Kissing Spine - the vet thought he had been kicked in the ribs but it didnt get better. Before it was diagnosed, if you put your leg on when riding he would just have a mega fit.

Hopefully not this, but just letting you know.