Which statement about the movements of the equine shoulder joint is true?

Which statement about the movements of the equine shoulder joint is true?

• A. It only performs flexion and extension
• B. It performs flexion, extension, slight rotation, adduction, and abduction
• C. It performs adduction and abduction only
• D. It performs rotation only

Answer: (B)

The shoulder in horses is a ball-and-socket setup that allows multi-directional movement. It mainly flexes and extends, letting the limb move forward and backward under the body. In addition, as the limb sweeps during the stride, the joint can move toward and away from the midline (adduction and abduction), and there is a degree of rotation produced by the scapulohumeral mechanics and the way the scapula rotates on the thorax. This combination—flexion, extension, slight rotation, adduction, and abduction—best describes the shoulder’s overall range of motion. The other options are too restrictive, omitting key movements like adduction/abduction or rotation.

The shoulder in horses is a ball-and-socket setup that allows multi-directional movement. It mainly flexes and extends, letting the limb move forward and backward under the body. In addition, as the limb sweeps during the stride, the joint can move toward and away from the midline (adduction and abduction), and there is a degree of rotation produced by the scapulohumeral mechanics and the way the scapula rotates on the thorax. This combination—flexion, extension, slight rotation, adduction, and abduction—best describes the shoulder’s overall range of motion. The other options are too restrictive, omitting key movements like adduction/abduction or rotation.