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  Discussion on Underdeveloped Shoulder
Author Message
Member:
Aewheele

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 10:53 am:

My horse’s right shoulder is less developed then his left. His gait is relatively even, although he tends to lean in on turns going to the right because he doesn’t always reach as far with his right front. My farrier has told me that he has a clubbed foot on that side as well. Would the club foot cause this underdevelopment to occur or is it definitely the result of an injury? His diagonal limb (left hind) has also been diagnosed with upper ringbone. Could that affect the right shoulder?

I read the article on Shoulder Sweeny and it seems to stress treatment and prognosis for a recent injury. I have had my horse for 2 years and I believe that he has had this condition since I got him. He had so many other issues when I purchased him that this particular problem didn't become evident until we cleared up his hind end issues.
My questions are:
1) Can I have a nerve test done now for such an old injury?
2) Is there a possibility that the shoulder was injured without having resulted in nerve damage and we are dealing with an arthritic condition in his shoulder instead? The reason I ask is since I have put him on high doses of chonDrOiton & glucosumine he is doing much better all around. I would assume that such an improvement would not occur if the shoulder had sustained nerve damage.
Thanks.
Andrea
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 7:28 am:

Hello Andrea,
The sound horses with a club foot that I see do not have unevenly developed shoulders that I have been aware of. Also not seeing the horse I cannot tell you if you are looking at deinnervation muscle atrophy. You are correct that the supplement would not help the nerve damage and yes, muscles can still be tested for innervation even after several years following the injury.
DrO
Member:
Aewheele

Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 8:02 am:

Thank you very much Dr. O. I was hoping you would say that. I will take it up with my vet.
Take care.
Member:
Alden

Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 11:28 am:

Andrea,

This may not apply to your horse but I have seen several horses that have larger left shoulders than right. In every case the owners only mount from the left. I don’t know how underdeveloped your horse is but the ones I've seen here were visibly different but not like the pictures I’ve seen of shoulder Sweeny. I trial ride in the mountains so I train and mount my horses equally right and left sides, but it also helps in keeping the horse balanced.

Just a thought.

Good day,
Alden
Member:
Aewheele

Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 9:22 am:

Thanks Alden. You want to laugh? I've never mounted a horse from the right. It seems awkward. I guess I should try. You never know when you are going to have to.
Member:
Alden

Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 1:15 pm:

It was very awkward for me when I started doing it. Be careful at first, if you’ve never done it then your horse probably hasn’t either. You may have to approach it like mounting a horse for the first time, go slow and prepare the horse.

Good day,
Alden
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