Tricep strain, any experiences? Short in canter.

[tobiano1984]

My special dressage cob did one of his special moves in our lesson last week - he wanted to do a flying change, I didn't, ended up doing an extreme star jump. After this he wasn't lame but struggled a bit, seemed short in front in canter (usually hugely uphill and exaggerated. Fine in collected and working trot, in medium again wasn't lame but just didn't protract the left fore as much. He's usually hyper flexible so it is very noticeable if something is stiff or sore. Next day gave him a quick lunge, fine in walk, slightly lame in left fore in trot. Weekend off, turned out, lunged on Monday and not lame in trot. Walking hack yesterday, light easy school today, again sound in walk, sound in trot but not as much movement, sound in canter but just limited protraction.
Trainer thought deep pectoral strain initially, I now think tricep. I'm training as a vet physio so I kind of know what to look for but don't have the experience to diagnose and haven't seen muscle strain before.
no heat or tenderness anywhere on the leg, tricep left fore is a bit tight, but he doesn't react to being prodded so not much reaction. Slightly tighter to stretch on left side and a bit reluctant.

So - has anyone experienced similar before, or had tricep issues? Or something else with these symptoms? My plan is to massage/stretch and keep moving - turned out and maybe ride lightly without pushing him - e.g. Walk out hacks, as per a human pulled muscle. Annoying as first competition of the year (Ele dressage) was next month :-( definitely don't want to push him back into it.

 

[gunnergundog]

Problems with the triceps are more likely to show up as shortness of stride in retraction, not protraction. If you are sure the problem is in protraction then check origin of brachio if the superficial pec is not reactive.

Have you tested horse on both hard and soft surfaces, on a circle as well as the straight and also on a very tight circle and backing up? (All of the above without tack and without a jockey.)

This could be a good learning opportunity if you can get an experienced physio out and observe their work up and palpation plus follow up treatment. Alternatively, a case study for your course? Maybe video everything if you get the physio out.

Good luck!

 

[tobiano1984]

I understand the tricep retracts but was kind of working on the theory that if you pull your own tricep - yes it will be weaker to retract but also painful to lift your arms. Also his retraction ROM is fine on stretching, it is the protraction and tricep stretches on the left fore that are a tight. I've done all the lameness tests on hard and soft and no reaction - it is only noticeable in canter and medium trot. If you didn't know him he'd probably look quite ok. I'm going to video and show my lecturers this weekend!
Thanks