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  Discussion on Shortened ligament in shoulder
Author Message
Member:
Jebe

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 8:23 pm:

Hello,
I have a two year old gelding that caught his head in a gate at 5 months old. He wrenched his body trying to get out of the gate. I had an equine chiropractor work on him and he seemed to be okay. Now at 2 1/2 we have started him under saddle. His back is sore, but upon further examination he has one shoulder higher than the other. It has been determined that the ligaments in his shoulder seem to be tighter on one side than the other. This was determined because his hooves, knees, chest, are equal height and in alignment. The equine chiropractor says to shorten the hoof on the side with the shorter ligament to make him walk on that side more and stretch the ligament out thereby raising the shoulder. My farrier suggested padding the hoof on the lower shoulder side to bring the shoulder into position to cause him to put equal weight on that side stretching out the ligament. If anyone has dealt with this, or has any suggestion, I would appreciate your input.
Thank you.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Dec 27, 2004 - 11:53 pm:

Has your vet also examined him?
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004 - 12:20 am:

Joanie,

I think it's important to have your vet look at your horse before you alter his natural balance. Having said that ...

My horse has had a similar problem to what you describe with his right shoulder. It was not quite as developed as his left. The solution was two fold:

1. Proper and equal trimming of each front hoof(don't make one shorter than the other). Then shoes, with a pad (leather) added to the shortened shoulder side.

2. Excercise consisted of normal riding, but a concerted effort to put him in the right lead, causing him to use the right shoulder more to build it up.

The difference between your horse and mine is that you've indicated a 'sore' back. This was not the case with mine and perhaps an indication the shoulder might not be the only problem, and hence why, as with the previous post, I too urge a complete examination by your vet..

By the way, after a couple of shoeings my horses shoulders evened out. Even now, I consciously put him in the right lead even though we haven't used the pad in several years.

Rick}
Member:
Jebe

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004 - 10:25 am:

Hello,
Thank you for your input. My vet was here this morning and agreed with the padding of the lower side. I am going to try that when my farrier comes back next week. My horse is a Rocky Mountain- gaited, and we don't canter them at this age so I can't work one lead over the other at this point. The vet had no explanation as to why his back was sore.
Thanks again,
joanie
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