Tight in shoulders/withers

[FelixPatches]

I'm looking for some advice. My rising 7 year old 15.1hh Welsh/TB hasn't been ridden much since Christmas, especially over the last month due to the weather/recent family bereavement. He has been lunged perhaps once or twice a week and ridden on average a further 3 times (but not at all the last week). He goes out in the field every day. I noticed about 4 weeks ago on a hack (when he hadn't dropped as much fitness as now) that he seemed a bit down/sluggish and when we had a little trot he seemed tight in front/choppy strides but not lame (so far as I could tell). Any time I have ridden since that is how he has seemed, certainly at first. I have just focused on stretching in walk and trot, short sessions, and he loosens off but I haven't wanted to do much. My trainer has lunged him just in a headcollar to encourage him to stretch and again she says after initially seeming tight he loosens off and works nicely. She thinks it is coming from his shoulders/withers. He does have a history of tightness there (plus he doesn't like stretching). My physio is coming to see him at the weekend but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on what it could be/anything else I can do to help? I've changed his rug a few weeks ago as he twitched when I touched his withers and I wondered if his rug was pressing down on his withers, he's now in a high wither rug as opposed to one with a full beck cover. I've been using an equilibrium massage mitt which normally he enjoys but he seems agitated just now when I use it especially on his right side. He is also not standing square, preferring to put his right hind forward. I am worried that it is not stemming from his neck/shoulders but back end (he is muscularly weaker behind on his right side). His field is muddy at the gate and I did wonder if he might have tweaked something haring up and slamming the anchors on, but I would have thought it should have resolved by now. His saddle fits fine. Any thoughts much appreciated, I am awfully worried.

 

[catkin]

Right hind issues can indicate gut troubles - have you noticed a change in his stance (hind legs under, bum high, withers sort of crunched up low)? Even if the 'hurt' is at the back it can show as tightness in shoulders and withers.

Discuss all his symptoms with your vet - they may give a clue if it is guts, and whether it's fore or hind gut.

You don't mention his diet - you may need to review it. If you want to find out more then search on here for Hind Gut Acidosis and ulcers and also on phoenixhorse forum if you are a member - there's quite a lot of horses about with these problems.

The ground has been awful for them this winter and many have slips and strains etc, so it still may be that.
Best person to advise will be your vet.

 

[shergar]

Have a look at this video on youtube ULCER DIAGNOSIS BY MARK DEPAOLO Ulcer symptoms right hind limb lameness sore behind the saddle and were the withers join the back ,soreness on the horses right side as that is the side the colon is on . Hope this helps .

 

[FelixPatches]

Thank you for your comments. I am pretty sure it's not ulcers; he isn't standing in the way you describe, and he looks well and loves his food and is a cheeky, confident sort of chap. I agree it could be front feet issues though. In the 2 years I have owned him he has from time to time slightly tripped (really just a stumble) on his left fore, though I did think that had improved recently and had been putting it down to lack of balance due to his age, but of course it could be the first signs of something more sinister. I will see what my physio says and if no obvious muscular cause will get the vet out to investigate further.