Sound horse, but painful between front legs?

[luckycricket123]

My horse has been girthy for the last month or so. I had saddle fit checked and think that ulcers seems unlikely.

I originally thought he was making faces when I pulled his saddle out, but only just realized it was when he hears the girth. I had been trying to understand why he was getting so grumpy about tacking, but didn’t appear to be back sore at all (I even had my vet verify)

Lo and behold, I palpated him between the front legs and got the angry ears. Somehow I missed that he is sore between his two front legs. He’s been sound, going well under saddle. He’s not back sore, I think this is too far forward to be considered for ulcers, and he’s also been on an ulcer preventative.

Has anyone seen something like this before?

[beowulf]

Sure. Could he have a rub somewhere from the girth? My first instinct would be to try different girths and see if that makes a difference. If you are not already, try only putting up the girth one hole at a time too. However long it takes is however long it takes. Sometimes some playing around with girth material will help too. I have one that loves sheepskin, so he goes in that. My mare however cannot stand rope girths, which is a shame because she’s so damn big they’re sometimes the only long girth I can find in her size.

[luckycricket123]

No apparent rub - but an excellent suggestion because he did put on some weight - and the girth I’d been using has gotten a bit snug. We were at the 4th hole on both sides in the summer and we’re currently at 1st/2nd holes.

[endlessclimb]

Make sure there arent rubs. Make sure you aren’t over tightening.

Next I’d find a girth with a larger area down there, like the professional choice ventech.

[JB]

I’d start with a massage therapist to find out what those, and associated muscles are doing. A GOOD chiropractor can help if there are any bony misalignments.

[SuzieQNutter]

How far forward. My boy pulled a muscle deep in his chest. He was sound but did not want to go down hill or work in the sand. It hurt to lift his front legs. I was at my wits end. His chiropractor picked it up.

[Whoosh]

I am dealing with this issue with my mare, with almost an identical timeline! My girl has always been a little on-and-off girthy, but about a month ago I went to girth her up and she straight-up bit me. Drew blood and everything. Completely out of character for her. I suspected that something was off. The chiro made it out last week to look at her and found that she was extremely sore in the chest/shoulder area. Bear in mind she’s been ridden regularly this whole time. She felt what I would describe as “normal slow old horse in winter” stiffness, but certainly not off.

Where are you located, if I may ask? It’s been quite muddy here for the past while. I suspect my mare could have fallen and hurt herself in the mud. Maybe did the splits and sprained something in her chest or shoulder. We’re in the process now of pinning down the exact injury.

My vet says that ulcers are the next thing to consider if we rule out musculoskeletal injury. I’ll be following this thread with interest.

[anon55755751]

My horse loves having a little chest and armpit rub before girthing up. They can definitely get sore there and we definitely tend to ignore that area. Just gently slowly rub flat handed in the direction of hair during grooming. Increase pressure if he responds well.

[KC]

For my horse, it’s tight pectoral muscles (among others). Found relief with a massage therapist. It took several weekly visits and now monthly visits. A long hand walk before putting on the saddle helps, and at the end of that hand walk, I lead him over ground poles a few times.