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View Full Version : Chiro/Tight shoulder question


Iwantapony
Sep. 23, 2009, 03:15 PM
I have an older OTTB who stumbled and fell about 2 months ago. A couple other horses had been having difficulties on new arena footing, but I suspected sore hocks played a part in this. No swelling in legs, just seemed generally sore, vet checked & nothing remarkable. I had chiro work on him (he doesn't regularly get chiro) & she said he was quite locked up on right side & back & she said his hocks seemed sore. Vet was coming to barn that day anyway so we went ahead and had hocks injected. Normally I don't like to do more than one thing at a time, but it was going to be awhile before vet could get out again & I just want the horse to feel good.
Hocks look great, horse is doing fine except his right shoulder is stiff.
My question is: Since he was stiff all over before the work could this just be one lingering area that needs more treatment? Could doing the hocks the same day as the chiro work have messed up something? Can chiro change the way a horse carries himself and create another problem when his usual way of moving changes? There didn't seem to be a specific shoulder problem after the fall and before the chiropractic, so that's why I'm asking. Thanks.

Iwantapony
Sep. 25, 2009, 09:07 PM
Hate to be obnoxious, but nobody has weighed in on this. I am unable to reach the chiropractor this week and my trainer is on vacation. I'd appreciate an opinion or information. I have very little experience with chiropractic on my horses.
Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

LookinSouth
Sep. 25, 2009, 09:17 PM
I dont' have any input regarding the hock injections in relation to the chiropractic but I can tell you that chiro will not "fix" all tightness issues. I recently had the barn chiro work on my horse because he wasn't quite right in the hind end and seemed to have difficulty picking up the left lead in a smaller circle. His hind end seemed good after that and he was less stiff but his shoulder then appeared to be tight and I could tell he was tight/sore in left front shoulder as he was reactive when I massaged it. I also noticed he wasn't extending his shoulder at the trot as much as he usually will.
I then had my masseusse out and he spent quite a bit of time working on both shoulders and his overall topline. After the massage work he now feels GREAT. Prior to the chiro I didn't notice the shoulder tightness but I think it was there just not noticeable as he was a little stiff in other places as well. Getting the chiro made the specific shoulder tightness more obvious as the other issues were addressed.

Perhaps this is what happened in your case? At any rate if you suspect tightness in the shoulder I'd recommend getting out a good masseuse.