Anatomy & Injuries of an Equine Shoulder
The equine shoulder is a large muscle mass on the horse's body, but most of the injuries that affect the shoulder are minor compared to more common equine injuries.
Other People Are Reading
-
Placement
-
The horse's shoulder begins at the base of the horse's neck and consists of the muscle mass above the forelegs.
Parts
-
The horse's shoulder has two bones. The scapula sits directly at the base of the neck; the humerus connects the scapula and the leg bones. The rest of the shoulder is soft tissue.
-
Fun Fact
-
No bones--only muscles, ligaments and tendons--connect the horse's shoulders and forelegs to the rest of the skeleton.
Broken Bones
-
Though considered uncommon by the Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook, horses can break the scapula and humerus. These breaks require severe trauma to happen.
Soft-tissue Injuries
-
A horse's shoulders may sustain muscle bruises, soft tissue pulls and strains. Cuts and punctures are more common injuries.
-
