Reactive to touch on chest/point of shoulder on right

[LilyandBaron]

My horse is reactive to my hand or brush on his right chest, sort of base of neck/point of shoulder region. He’s not reactive to touching various other areas, so it legit feels very localized, though I recognize that doesn’t equate to that being the actual location of whatever might be going on.

I’ve done a lot of “things” but instead of listing out all the things I’ve done, just want to ask what people have seen trigger sensitivity in that area specifically. I also realize some things I’ve done may need to be re-done/re-visited, so just want to see if anyone has had experience with reactivity specific to that location on the body. May help me narrow down next course(s) of action. Thanks!

[Scribbler]

Is this forever or recent? If recent it could be a bruise or strain

[LilyandBaron]

Editing to not specify - if you have a horse who’s done it forever, what was that? If it was more recent, agreed - could be bruise/strain. Thanks!

[candyappy]

My horse did that exact thing last year when drought conditions dried out my pasture. I could curry him with a rubber curry but use a soft brush and he pinned his ears and wanted to bite me.

He had a few other sensitivities as well and it was very out of character for him.

I put him on Magnesium and vitamin E and that did the trick . I just keep him on both year round which is good because now we are dry again .

ETA : I use MVP Magnesium and human Vitamin E ( giving 2000 a day) from Walmart. Cheaper for me that way.

ETA: 2 I did have a vet exam and chiro just to rule out pain.

[LilyandBaron]

Not sure we’re in a true drought, but close, and I had scaled back on vit E when spring hit! This is an easy one to try! Thanks!!!

[candyappy]

@LilyandBaron

Not sure we’re in a true drought, but close, and I had scaled back on vit E when spring hit! This is an easy one to try! Thanks!!!

Doesn’t hurt to try and I had looked at a lot of possibilities but those 2 things just matched about everything he was experiencing. My grass is still green ( in places) but we are bone dry right now. Not fun.

[Scribbler]

It makes a lot of difference if it’s sudden onset or not. I would not rule out ulcers as well if it’s forever. I agree a good body worker could be useful

[sheltona01]

Is it a OTTB? A long time ago, we had one that had a cattle prod used on thst spot. He was very reactive to that area.

[LilyandBaron]

He is OTTB. He’s VERY mouthy and it’s something I’m working to improve, and it was improving but this weekend, he was pretty pissed and I kind of persisted (gently) to see if he’d release or whatever and he was NOT happy about me touching him there. It’s hard to balance ruling out pain with acknowledging possible training baggage too! If in doubt, I tend to assume pain first, as I feel like you can always get tougher if you rule out physical causes, but if you start out tough, it’s so hard to restore trust.

[Scribbler]

@LilyandBaron

He is OTTB. He’s VERY mouthy and it’s something I’m working to improve, and it was improving but this weekend, he was pretty pissed and I kind of persisted (gently) to see if he’d release or whatever and he was NOT happy about me touching him there. It’s hard to balance ruling out pain with acknowledging possible training baggage too! If in doubt, I tend to assume pain first, as I feel like you can always get tougher if you rule out physical causes, but if you start out tough, it’s so hard to restore trust.

This kind of reaction is always based in some amount of pain. There’s a lot of possibility for strains sprains tightness bone bruising bone chip in this area, it’s a place that would take the brunt if a horse ran through a fence or took a tumble or smashed himself on a gate

[IPEsq]

My first guess would be the brachiocephalicus muscle is ouchy if the passive range of motion of the limb and shoulder is normal and there isn’t any lameness or excessive sensitivities elsewhere. Although it can come from lameness in that leg as well. Lots of reasons for it but one thing to consider is condition and comfort of the front foot since it’s unilateral. Also saddle fit, because if the horse can’t lift from the withers properly, the extensor muscles will work overtime to move the shoulder and front legs.