## Overview Adductor strain is an injury to the muscles that pull the hind limb toward the midline (primarily the adductor, gracilis, and pectineus muscles). In horses it commonly occurs when a horse slips or splays the hind limbs on poor footing. The injury ranges from mild muscle fiber disruption to complete tear. Sport horses that perform sharp turns or rapid starts and stops are also at elevated risk, but slipping on wet grass, mud, or ice is a frequent trigger. ## Causes Sudden abduction of the hind limb against active adduction, as occurs when a foot slips laterally, produces eccentric overload of the adductor group. Fatigue, poor footing, previous groin injury, and lack of conditioning increase susceptibility. The injury is analogous to a human groin strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs include acute hind-limb lameness or reluctance to move the limb inward, pain on palpation of the medial thigh, and sometimes heat or swelling. Grade 1 strains may show little lameness until after exercise; grade 2 and 3 strains produce more obvious pain and gait abnormality. Ultrasound can confirm muscle tearing or hematoma. Thermography may highlight the affected area. ## Treatment Initial treatment follows the principles of rest, cold therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. Controlled walking is introduced once acute pain subsides, followed by progressive strengthening. Premature return to work commonly leads to reinjury. Severe tears may benefit from regenerative therapies, although evidence in horses is limited. ## Recovery and Prognosis Mild strains often resolve in 2 to 6 weeks. Moderate to severe strains may require 8 to 16 weeks or longer. Prognosis is generally good if the horse is given adequate rest and a structured rehabilitation program. Recurrent injury is common when rest is insufficient. ## Prevention Good footing management, progressive conditioning of the hindquarter musculature, and avoidance of slippery surfaces reduce risk. Warm-up before intense work is also beneficial.
hindlimb lameness or shortened stride; pain on palpation of the medial thigh; reluctance to adduct the limb; heat or swelling in the groin region; stiffness after rest
## Overview Adductor strain is an injury to the muscles that pull the hind limb toward the midline (primarily the adductor, gracilis, and pectineus muscles). In horses it commonly occurs when a horse slips or splays the hind limbs on poor footing. The injury ranges from mild muscle fiber disruption to complete tear. Sport horses that perform sharp turns or rapid starts and stops are also at elevated risk, but slipping on wet grass, mud, or ice is a frequent trigger. ## Causes Sudden abduction of the hind limb against active adduction, as occurs when a foot slips laterally, produces eccentric overload of the adductor group. Fatigue, poor footing, previous groin injury, and lack of conditioning increase susceptibility. The injury is analogous to a human groin strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs include acute hind-limb lameness or reluctance to move the limb inward, pain on palpation of the medial thigh, and sometimes heat or swelling. Grade 1 strains may show little lameness until after exercise; grade 2 and 3 strains produce more obvious pain and gait abnormality. Ultrasound can confirm muscle tearing or hematoma. Thermography may highlight the affected area. ## Treatment Initial treatment follows the principles of rest, cold therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. Controlled walking is introduced once acute pain subsides, followed by progressive strengthening. Premature return to work commonly leads to reinjury. Severe tears may benefit from regenerative therapies, although evidence in horses is limited. ## Recovery and Prognosis Mild strains often resolve in 2 to 6 weeks. Moderate to severe strains may require 8 to 16 weeks or longer. Prognosis is generally good if the horse is given adequate rest and a structured rehabilitation program. Recurrent injury is common when rest is insufficient. ## Prevention Good footing management, progressive conditioning of the hindquarter musculature, and avoidance of slippery surfaces reduce risk. Warm-up before intense work is also beneficial.
hindlimb lameness or shortened stride; pain on palpation of the medial thigh; reluctance to adduct the limb; heat or swelling in the groin region; stiffness after rest