Sweeney shoulder & sound horse?

[Saskatoonian]

My vet is coming out in a few days, and looking for experiences in the meantime, because that’s what we do, right?

Horse has obvious atrophy in the right shoulder - looks for all the world like the Sweeney shoulder photos the google shows. I don’t know of any injuries that could have caused it, but he’s turned out with a friend and can play hard, and horses.

He’s sound though - jumped around a little lesson yesterday, like honestly 2’3"-2’6", and was super and happy as a clam. He’s been in light work because I’ve had a crazy year, but consistent light work. That’s inconsistent with the Sweeney stories I’ve read. I’m wondering, obviously, about rehab etc. Would love any wisdom.

TIA!

[Elemay]

Hi I was wondering what your vet thought of your horse? My mare came in from turnout a few weeks ago walking very abnormally and vet thought she might have damaged a nerve. We treated it with steroids and gave her about 2 weeks off, and she’s completely sound and moving great. Just worried I’m working her too hard or scared she’s going to start atrophying in her shoulder. Wonder if it’s normal for horses to be completely sound and working normally with Sweeney shoulder

[Saskatoonian]

Hi, Not too much info to offer, I’m afraid. He agreed with me that it was Sweeney, agreed that the horse was sound, and we lasered it 8-10 times over the next month or so. I was to keep working him, since he was sound. He wasn’t sure if the lasering would actually help, but there wasn’t really anything else to do. The muscle has started coming back, slowly. Good luck wtih your mare.

[Argo]

I have one who’s almost a senior now. Had a small fracture at the point of shoulder from falling on ice at 2 yo which was treated by the breeder with Dr Green. At 4-5 the horse appeared sound and was started under saddle, then I purchased. Horse has done a couple of rated 12 mile competitive trail rides, fox hunting in the first field, and won rated dressage classes. I did the research after purchase and was surprised that the general prognosis appeared so grim. I have a wonderful athletic friend and I’m so glad I took the chance based on what my own eyes told me.