Shoulder lameness?

[Oaksflight]

Horse seems to be having difficulty stretching out in trot and becomes lame when asked to. I think he's pulled something in his shoulder in the field (any other ideas?). He's not too bad so not getting the vet out for now, just lunging every day, cold hosing twice a day, and carrot stretches twice a day. Anything else I can do that will help speed up the recovery?

Cheers

 

[Tierra]

If you suspect its in the shoulder, Id be inclined to not lunge tbh. Lunging is pretty strenuous work at the best of times and won't help speed up anything such as a pulled muscle.

Mine tweaked a muscle about a 6 weeks ago after doing bambi legs in the field. We ended up giving him close to 2 weeks off. He was trotted up every day to keep an eye on his soundness (although he never dropped lame as such), had the equissage hand held unit on the shoulder in question, massages and magnetic wraps on over night. Although we dont cold hose sore muscles at all.

That being said we were 110% sure that it was in his shoulder and nothing else.

If you're sure its a muscle, then think about how you'd be with a pulled muscle. The best thing is rest and gentle exercise (controlled turnout if possible, walking in hand).

 

[Oaksflight]

Yeah, he's not lame when trotted up either, or lunged, just when ridden it seems. Ok, will hold off the lunging and just walk in hand. Don't think I can get any controlled turn out unfortunately.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

have you had saddle checked? the saddle could be affecting the shoulder movement.

Mine was checked when i bought him and saddler said it was fine, was still not sure and got another saddler to check and it did not fit him at all, is really obvious now, made such a differece. He would not stretch out in front but does now

 

[Oaksflight]

Yeah, had it checked about 4 months ago by saddler and by physio and she said it was perfect fit, and have a friend in training who's said its fine. Theres heat in his left shoulder though hence thinking he's pulled something.

 

[AmyMay]

If you really think your horse has damaged itself and is showing any signs of lameness - rest it. Why would you lunge a horse that you consider is having problems with it's shoulder????

I am at a loss for words.

 

[hollyzippo]

Ditto AmyMay- rest/controlled turnout/ in hand grazing (if gallops around!).

You need to be 100% sure its in the shoulder tho- I go to many clients who have decided it is- in about 75% of cases I end up sending them to the vet as its a lower leg problem and the shoulder is tight only through referral pain.

Best to double check if I was you- most shoulder problems are as a result of a bad fall (eg, racing) or something like doing the splits as someone said above.

Either way I wouldnt lunge it- if it really is shoulder, being on a tight circle will make it worse.

 

[spaniel]

If she is unable to stretch out in front it could be a problem almost anywhere along the back. I would rest her and get you rvet to recommend a very good, qualified physiotherapist.

 

[Alibear]

There's the old addage that if you think it's in the shoulder it's actually in the foot.

Personally if it's been a while and no improvement I'd be ringing the vet.

 

[Oaksflight]

Yeah, I've heard that saying before. It hasn't been long now, if theres no improvement by the weekend I'll get the vet out. Physio is due to see him again soon for a general check over anyway. Have realised lunging was a blonde idea, he's being walked out in hand twice a day and hasn't been lunged.

 

[Petrie]

I thought my horse had shoulder lameness but it was actually his suspensory ligament.

There was no heat or pain to speak of, and hacking or light schooling was absolutely fine, but when I pushed him for a bit more in trot, he would go very slightly unlevel.

as others have said above, it may well be lower down the leg, and your feeling that it could be shoulder might be him compensating. I also thought mine had something wrong with his back, but that was also him compensating.

I've had other similar experiences too, and they've all ended up being problems lower down!

If it were me, I'd give it two weeks off, then try riding it again, see what happens. If the same thing happens again, I'd get the vet.

 

[Walder]

My advise would be to get some bowen treatment done from an experienced person - you will be very surprised by the results - mine had had a frozen shoulder for years before i got her in july last year - the difference after treatment is amazing