A trainer in Lexington showed me a different way to check for shoulder pain before shoeing

I was working on a big warmblood last month, and the trainer there, an older guy named Hank, stopped me before I picked up the hoof. He said, 'Watch this,' and ran his hand firmly down the horse's shoulder blade, then pressed his thumb into a specific spot near the chest. The horse flinched. Hank told me that spot gets tight when they're sore up front, and if you don't ease that muscle first, they'll never stand right for the trim. I've been trying it for three weeks now, and it really helps with the fidgety ones. Has anyone else picked up a trick like that from a trainer or vet?

2 comments

2 Comments

dixon.daniel8d ago

Hank's got a point about that shoulder check. My old boss used to do a similar thing, feeling for heat in the tendon sheath right above the fetlock before starting. If it was warm, we'd just do a light rasp and call it a day. It saved a lot of arguments with a mare who had low-grade inflammation. Those little checks change your whole approach.

terryj458d ago

It's smart to check for heat, but a cool leg can still have deep tissue issues. Some horses hide their pain until you put real pressure on them. You need to watch the whole horse, not just feel for warmth.