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  Discussion on Can't extend LF shoulder
Author Message
Member:
Jalar

Posted on Saturday, Oct 29, 2005 - 8:57 pm:

I have a 12 yr old 16.1 hand QH that has been a cow horse most of his life. (ranch work in Montana and Wyoming, rodeos, barrel racing -lots of work) I purchased him last December because he was too slow for professional rodeo and now he is trail partner and pasture toy.

I think he has a bad shoulder and would like your opinion about testing and treatment options.

These are his symptoms:
* He is resistant to having his front left leg extended in front of him. (ex. to free the girth or place his foot on a farrier stand)
* He does not like to lope and will try to trot faster instead of loping and then will only go a few strides then DrOp out. (He is a very willing horse, I don't think it is training).
* He is "concerned" when you massage or curry around the left side of his withers and shoulders.
* He is not as willing to give you his right foot to clean and does not want to stand for long periods on just his left side.

I have stopped using a saddle being concerned about saddle fit and he is really no better or worse. His hoof and leg seem sound although his front leg confirmation is not good. He does not bob his head or "give" at a walk or trot. He just doesn't want his leg extended forward.

He is pastured 24/7 and is only ridden rarely so his shoulder/withers is not a performance issue but mainly a comfort issue.

Can X-rays be taken at the barn with this part of his body being so dense? What testing can they do? What types of things could be wrong? If it is arthritis, can cortisone be giving in this area?

What are your thoughts?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Oct 30, 2005 - 10:35 am:

Hmmm you seem to be missing the most critical objective observations for diagnosing shoulder lameness Jamie. Those are lameness at a trot and a shortened anterior phase at a trot. The things you mention above can be seen in horses that are sound and are subjective for pain. They can be training problems, a remembrance of a past injury, pain in the shoulder region not associated with the muscoskeletal system, or simply unexplained behaviors of the horse.

To answer your direct questions, yes the shoulder can be radiographed effectively IF the horse will allow it to be extended and hold it still otherwise you have to lay the horse out to get a good picture.
DrO
Member:
Jalar

Posted on Sunday, Oct 30, 2005 - 5:35 pm:

Yes - It seems the most outstanding trait is his reluctance to have his right front leg stretched out in front of him.

Do you think I should call a farrier, vet or trainer? Or just work quietly stretching this shoulder forward and see if I can work out his reluctance?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Oct 31, 2005 - 7:00 am:

If the horse is truly sound at the trot in all conditions then I don't think you need the vet, if you are uncertain, give him a call for an examination. The article associated with this discussion describes how to recognize lameness.

If you are unable to teach the horse to lope on cue that would be trainer help, though you can search our training section for helpful ideas. The rest I think you can do most effectively.
DrO
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