Stifle joint problems in young 'uns

[lisaturpitt]

A friend of mine has a colt who will make about 13.2hh who has just turned one. He appears to have developed a stifle joint problem in the last few months and has to move the hind leg forward as if he was going to rest it before he can move it forward. The vets here in Brittany seem to be unable to offer a reasonable diagnosis and therefore some sort of treatment.

I wondered if anyone here has had the same trouble with their foals/yearlings, has the diagnosis been a stifle joint problem and what do you think the best treatment and management would be. how would we know if it was OCD in the joint?

[carolla]

Hi
its very common and looks daunting, when the hind leg locks and spins out to the side, the best thing is exercise to build up the muscle around the patella, i have had two youngsters whom have had it you will find worse in stable move them backwards and forwards to unlock, use oil in diet and vinegar on area as eases and is ant-inflammatory, will get better as they get older do not worry as the area is common to this issue,

[nearlymad]

quite common in youngstock, usually clears as the animal becomes older and stronger ,naturally.
They can have the tenson cut through, (very easy not painful for the horse) but not until they are
at least 4 or 5 years old.

[horseyll81]

My daughters pony showed signs of a locking patella last year when we bought him. He is now 5yrs old and lives out, is worked twice a week and shows no signs of it whatsoever. Don't be too alarmed, it will normally grow out as the bones develop and the muscle strenghtens to support it all. If you can turn the youngster out on a field with a hill, it will work wonders!!!!
Good luck x

[Deleted]

my two year old patellas pop back in when he stands up straight its a horrible noise and you can see them pop nack into place, he is in no pain and they have never been a problem, im hoping they correct when he comes into work next year

[nightwish]

mine is the same, she drags her leg along the floor, we move her backwards and other directions for it to come back into place. its just lack of muscle.

[sarahp]

Best thing is to keep them out to exercise, ideally in a hilly field if you have one as horsey said. Standing in a stable makes it worse.

[holiday]

Oct 13, 2010 8:45:12 GMT sarahp said:

Best thing is to keep them out to exercise, ideally in a hilly field if you have one as horsey said. Standing in a stable makes it worse.

Totally agree!!!!

[boothsdale]

Just out of interest what are peoples views on breeding from something that has/had this problem - would you do it or would you be concerned about a genetic predisposition?

[nightwish]

well my 3 year old, only started with it because she a bit bum high, (thats what the vet said), i have her mum and shes had no problems like that, i would breed from the 3 year old in later years to come, unless it turns majorly wrong, but i agee better out then in, and plenty of exercise.

[lisaturpitt]

Thank you so much all of you! She'll be glad to know she is not alone and that veterinary intervention is not necessary now. I have already suggested she keep him out during the winter and perhaps put his hay in lots of piles around the field so that he has to move around. I'll suggest she uses oil or maybe a linseed supplement. We're worried about feeding too much hard food just in case this leads to OCD as well.

[fleurymare]

my horse was the same as a youngster he 'grew' out of it.

[nightwish]

i feed codliver oil and linseed oil and cortaflex with my hard feed. that seems to help her

[drenrowstud]

avoid feeding to hi a carb diet to youngstock , a diet with adequete protien and no excess carbs or sugar in the form orf normal mollases has been found to contribute to ocd in youngstock

we always avoid these after someone bought a youngster off us and stuffed it full of maollasus and sewwed to darken its coat colour it was pale palomino the horse ened up being a cripple with ocd , all other stock from the mare have had no problems , think before your feed you wouldnt give a young baby coke so dont give foals neat sugar either .

[heathers]

i have got the most stunning colt that i bought for breeding with this problem,he does it with almost every stride at walk but gallops fine.he has been out on a hilly field with other playful colts for over a year,do you think he will grow out of it? we love this colt and he will be gelded and kept as an uncle for the youngsters if he doesnt come