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| How limb deformities affect the horse; one shoulder bigger than the other | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 21 2007, 12:31 PM (232 Views) | |
| claudius | May 21 2007, 12:31 PM Post #1 |
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Schooling
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I have a 4 yo who was a weedy underdeveoped yearling when I got him. Toed out, back in the knee, all of which has improved. He handles the rf differently than the left. He is sound and a lovely mover. BUT when I broke him this spring I noticed that his left shoulder is atleast 5 inches wider than his right shoulder. When I look down, I can really see the difference. And I feel he is weaker in the right side. Anyone else had any experience with this phenomenom? Any ideas??? |
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| seal harbor | May 21 2007, 12:45 PM Post #2 |
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Administrator
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I'm going to move this thread to the ER forum. Hang on to your hats. |
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| ShawneeAcres | May 21 2007, 04:50 PM Post #3 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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SOunds like a sweeny to me. That is a nerve damage in the shoulder causing muscle atrophy. Not a painful condition, but can cause one side to be weaker or no |
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| El Panto | May 22 2007, 11:21 AM Post #4 |
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Schooling
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I always thought that every horse was laterally different, especially in the shoulders? 5 inches is pretty drastic though. Did he injure himself as a youngster? Shawnee, what is a sweeny? |
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| Fish Cheeks | May 22 2007, 05:04 PM Post #5 |
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You're BANNED!
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Miles is like this through the shoulders (although I haven't measured and I think 5" is a big difference) and I think it is because of his hi/low feet. Saddle fitting is a huge nightmare and trying to find one that was laterally balanced on him was nearly impossible. I ended up with chronic back pain because he put me in such a funky position. He is a different ride from one side to the other, and while not technically lame, there is a short step with the RF vs. the LF. I resorted to chucking the saddles altogether this winter and only rode him bareback. He was an amazingly different horse! Bigger stride, more fluid movement, no pissiness. Just last week I put my jumping saddle back on him and YUCK! Crooked horse, pissy attitude, short choppy stride. I couldn't stand it and cut my ride short. A couple days later I got a treeless saddle on trial and it has made all the difference. Immediately I felt better balanced laterally, he wanted to GO FORWARD, and was a happy pony - big, fluid step, lots of energy, just really happy. Anyways, from my experience, saddle fitting may be difficult. Also I think that making sure you work evenly and keeping the horse flexible is important. Bodywork will likely help, as well. Good luck! |
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| barngirl | May 23 2007, 03:33 PM Post #6 |
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Have you had the Chiropractor out... He could be out of whack and just be carrying himself funny to compensate. My gelding is also hi/low in his front heels and he has a great farrier who corrects and takes this into consideration. Yet the saddler ( Jochen Schleese ) saidhe has one shoulder higher than the other. I never really noticed it... The saddle adjusted for this definately seemed to help, but it only seemed like a temporary fix... when I started doing adjustments with a Vet /chiro, he drastically improved. he very well may have a slightly higher should blade.. but i think if anything it was due to his neck and back beiing out of whack. Just a thought. And remember one adjustment will not make up for years of being out of whack... my guy was adjusted for about four months straight... now through excellent trimming, saddle fittings and daily trigger point massage whe is usually seen every 3-5 months depending on what he is up to work wise... (he is a jumper). Your situation just sounded like deja vu!!!
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