Shoulder Stiffness

[zobags]

Hi

I lunged my 2 two year old filly today and noticed that she seems to be stiff in the right shoulder, and more so on the right rein especially when trotting. the ground in the lunge pen is soft and she was going round in 20m circles.

I was just looking for some advice before I go calling the vet out.

 

[glenruby]

V unlikely to be shoulder. Most likely lower limb. Give her a week of box/ barn rest and bute then call vet if no better.

 

[GoodyGoody]

Not sure why glenruby thinks it is unlikely to be the shoulder. If you lunge the horse in tight circles on hard ground you can see by subtle differences in the horse's movement where the pain originates. My guess would be in the pectorals. Pectoralis transversus is particularly prone to damage lying as it does across the direction of movement. Find a good, reliable practitioner locally who can diagnose soft tissue damage. Did the problem occur overnight or did it arise gradually?

 

[CBFan]

I agree with both of the above!!

I have had a horse appear lame from the shoulder due to bruised soles - so quite a dull pain rather than a screaming 'ouch' pain.

My current boy is currently showing stiffness in the shoulder and I think it is originating from here as feet are fine and nothing else to see. I'm going to get an equissage on him while I wait for my Chiro to come out to him. In the mean time. No work and as much time in the stable as poss (which isn't hard at the mo as he can't be out on the grass for more than 4 hours)

Advice. As above. restrict exercise for two weeks (small paddock not much bigger than stable at very least) and ideally bute for a week of that then see what happens. Good luck!