Page 530 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Types of injury

The following injuries occur:
VetBooks.ir • muscle strains which restrict free movement by causing muscle pain and spasm

• injury to the nuchal ligament where it inserts onto the occiput or the atlantal bursa (from

pulling back or rearing up and sustaining a blow to the region)

• fractures
• bruises and abscesses

• osteoarthritic changes.

Clinical signs

These may include:
• obvious signs of external trauma, e.g. skin and muscle damage

• muscle swelling or wasting

• muscle tension or irritability on palpation

• holding the neck in an unusual position

• an abnormal head carriage or head tilt
• difficulty lowering the head to the ground; the forelimbs may be widely separated when

the horse grazes

• chronic neck stiffness giving a reduced range of motion; horses with reduced lateral
flexion of the neck often tilt their heads markedly when attempting to reach a titbit held

beside their shoulder
• pain on palpation

• patchy sweating

• dislike of bridling or being brushed or handled around the head

• an anxious facial expression
• reluctance to lie down or roll.

Signs which show up at exercise include:
• mild forelimb stiffness or lameness

• reluctance to go onto or stay on the bit; unsteady head carriage

• difficulty bending.

Horses with neck injuries may be difficult to load and travel badly due to difficulty