➡️Muscle Madness⬅️

The shoulder region of the horse has many muscles that work together to facilitate movement of the front limb with accuracy and precision. Here are some of the muscles, their function, and indications of muscular issues:

Supraspinatus Muscle:
➡️Function: The supraspinatus is responsible for abducting the shoulder joint (moving the limb away from the body) and plays a role in stabilizing the joint.
➡️Issues: Lameness, resistance to lifting the limb, reluctance to move forward, or a shortened stride may indicate supraspinatus issues.

Infraspinatus Muscle:
➡️Function: The infraspinatus muscle aids in the abduction of the shoulder and also helps with lateral rotation of the humerus.
➡️Issues: Lameness, resistance to lateral movements, and difficulty in turning may suggest problems with the infraspinatus.

Subscapularis Muscle:
➡️Function: The subscapularis muscle is involved in the medial rotation of the humerus and helps stabilize the shoulder joint.
➡️Issues: Lameness, difficulty in turning, and a reduced range of motion in the shoulder may be signs of subscapularis problems.

Teres Major Muscle:
➡️Function: The teres major assists in the adduction of the shoulder (moving the limb toward the body) and provides support for the shoulder joint.
➡️Issues: Difficulty in bringing the limb toward the body, lameness, or stiffness may indicate teres major-related problems.

January 11, 2024
Melissa Caccamo

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