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Post by bilko2 on Nov 20, 2017 15:04:57 GMT
Does anybody have any experience of this and any tips to prevent it from happening again?
I went to turn out my 4 year old this morning and he could not walk, his off hind was swinging with every stride and he could not bend it. I called the vet and she asked him to back up and he walked away fine. It then locked again as soon as he was stationary.
I always give my horses the winter off and he was turned away early this year as he had put up a splint and I wanted to give that time to heal. He is still out during the day.
The vet has recommended he come back into work and is turned out as much as possible. The problem is his time out will reduce soon as my fields are really muddy and I do not have a school to work him in. I also go to work in the dark and arrive home in the dark which will limit hacking.
Any help/tips/success stories would be appreciated.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on Nov 20, 2017 18:54:04 GMT
Nothing to add to what the vet has said, back him up to release it, and turn out/work as much as possible. They do tend to grow out of it. I had one some years ago now, and I did eventually have him operated on, but by the time I did he already had minor arthritis in his stifles which caused them to be a little stiff in them from then on. Mind you, he went on to have a good ridden showing career, came home to be my hack for a bit, and for some years now has been the much loved hack of a lovely lady. Now 24 and still being ridden. And one of the kindest, sweetest, safest Ds you'll ever meet!
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Post by bilko2 on Nov 21, 2017 10:18:39 GMT
Thank you, he was fine this morning so really hoping it was a one off. Will follow vets advice and keep everything crossed.
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Post by oldschooler on Nov 21, 2017 14:43:52 GMT
Thank you, he was fine this morning so really hoping it was a one off. Will follow vets advice and keep everything crossed. Have a section C mare who was very bad as a youngster, we really struggled getting the stifle unlocked and once had to have the vet out and we had to rope the leg. She had not grown out of the condition so at about 5 after this very bad attack the vet recommended we had both back legs done (separately) and this was the best thing we ever did. They never locked again after the ops, and now as a 18 year old she is VERY active with no sign of any arthritis which was the only side affect the vet said might happen. Each op took about 30 mins at home, just sedated. Left an incision about 1 inch which healed very quickly. A friend had her horse done recently and now they pierce rather than cut. However my friend does say it has locked on an odd occasion when a stabled overnight so not sure this method works as effectively. Do not panic if it happens again, and do not be reluctant to have them operated on, it really does work. |
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Post by bilko2 on Nov 21, 2017 14:54:55 GMT
Thank you, mine is also a Section C. Will defo look into the op if it keeps happening as we have high hopes for him next season.
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Post by clifton16 on Nov 21, 2017 17:47:05 GMT
my mare is having the first of her operations next week as she is not going to improve now, the ligament is going to be cut. The second operation should be after the new year if the first operation goes ok. I will try to update this post next year on how it went
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Post by bilko2 on Nov 22, 2017 12:40:54 GMT
Thank you, I would really appreciate that. Mine was fine again this morning so keeping everything crossed.
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Post by firtree on Nov 22, 2017 17:17:29 GMT
I had a sec c as a younger her stifle locked a couple of times vet said leave her out on the hill field, she lived in to her twenties and it never happened again, good luck.
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Post by dancer on Nov 24, 2017 22:12:01 GMT
Turn out as much as possible on hilly ground preferably - it's common in growing youngsters where the muscles are developing hence the need to strengthen them to hold the stifle in place.
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Post by bilko2 on Nov 27, 2017 12:13:01 GMT
Thank you for all the replies. We are one week in and it hasn't happened again so I am really hopeful it was a one off. I have long reined him up the lanes and got back on yesterday. He is still out all day but unfortunately we do not have any hills. I am totally on my own where I am but when I have sat on him a few more times I plan to take him to meet up with a friend and do some hilly hacking.
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Post by clifton16 on Feb 6, 2018 22:56:18 GMT
Update on my mare both stifles operated on and she is back in work. Everything seems fine and I am hoping to take her to do a couple of showing classes at a show in a couple of weeks
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Post by ponymum on Feb 7, 2018 9:17:56 GMT
I was told by a friend that had her pony operated on that any youngster upto the age of 7 can be operated on sucessfully for a locking stifle , however after that age the prognosis isnt as good.
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Post by bilko2 on Feb 19, 2018 11:22:56 GMT
Thank you for the update. Really glad its proving a success for you. My boy hasn't locked again (touch wood) and I am hoping it stays this way. We have worked him as much as possible although sadly his turnout is an hour a couple of times a week given this lovely weather we are having. He has totally transformed in his shape and now his hindquarters are really muscled up and he is using himself much better and working from behind. We take him in the trailer to hilly hacks and hire a school as often as possible. Hoping to take him out for a novice class this coming weekend.
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