My horse's shoulders have often been clicking when i ride her and it seems that it hurts her. Once I started riding her regularly and noticed her shoulder clicking, she started putting her ears back at me and getting a bit bitchy at me. I was wondering if this could be her going'whenever you're on my back my shoulders hurt so stay away from me'. Also I think it seems that whenever i groom her shoulders she puts her ears back more and paws the ground. Maybe could this be because it hurts her there a bit?
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Hi caiti.jane!
Yes, of course this might be the reason for her behaviour.
I would let a vet and a horse chiropractor take a look at her problem. It might be kind of arthritis/arthrosis, and of course that hurts. Another option (the better one) might be that she has a problem in her spine. This could cause her pain in the shoulder area, because there might be pressure on the nerves coming out of her spinal cord. And that's very painful sometimes.
Some more questions on your horse:
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1. How old is she?
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2. Is the problem located on only one shoulder? Or both?
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3. When did the vet/chiropractor check her the last time?
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4. Is the saddle REALLY fitting? Otherwise have a look at the "Saddle fitting Series" her in the Uni.
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5. How long do you have that problem with her?
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Really important: STOP riding her until a vet and a chiropractor did have a look at her and you got a diagnosis! It might get a lot worse!
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I know a horse (the owner still did not let a chiropractor have a look at her) that had so much trouble in her spine and shoulders that she started biting to protect herself from pain. And she had this problem since she was startedt and now she's 20 years old!
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Don't let your mare suffer so long! The first step is done, you asked for help. That's very good, but now you need a professional, not me, I am only a trainee who just started her education as horse chiropractor.
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Hope I could help you!
Best wishes from Hamburg, Germany for both of you,
Jasmin
Hi cati.jane,
Usually when a horse paws at the ground it means they are accepting what is going on or they are testing the ground or water to assure themselves that it is safe.
In her case I'm not sure why she would be pawing or scrapping the surface.
Clicking of the shoulders of course is joint movement.
How old is the horse?
What is the weather like, right now?
Do you know how to do massage on a horse?
And do you have access to a good quality linament that you could apply to this area?
Doing so in a slow and steady pressure to this area might give her some relief.
There are also great products on the shop part of the UNI that could help her.
Hope this helps in some way,
Ronda
She is 7. Its been clicking on and off for 3 months- since about a week after we bought her. its generally just her right shoulder, but some days they both click. Apparently the saddle doesnt really fit her. I dont know how to do massage on horses. I can do the basic TTouch- at least i think i can. she paws the ground excessively.
I would advise you to let a chiropractor have a look at her. What you are telling is not normal, so stop riding and let a horse chiropractor check her! And get a saddle that fits her, after she is okay.
Jasmin
ok. Thank you!
Dear caiti.jane. You are thinking the right way - horse are assosiative thinkers - she associates you with the pain. Follow the good advice, vet, chiropractor, saddlefitting etc. Start with that, and then get back and we help you reshape the thinking and get new muscelmemories. Warmest Ann
after not seeing her or riding her for a month, her shoulder hasnt been clicking and she has been friendlier and much less spooky.
Hi caiti.jane!
Wow, this is great. Seems as you did it the right way!
Jasmin