Acute stifle injury - help!!

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Tirna

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Sorry in advance for the essay! My 6yo Connemara X came in from the field a little stiff on Tuesday night. When I tried to lift his right hind, he snatched it upwards, it was like a jerky involuntary movement. I tired again and got the same response, so walked him and noticed he was dragging his toe slightly, especially on a tight circle. Called the vet, who suggested it may be a locked stifle and told me to walk him backwards for 10 minutes to try and release it. He was very reluctant to move backwards and obviously uncomfortable doing so, but me and my friend tried our best to no avail, so vet ended up coming out. After an hour of manipulation, it seemed to suddenly pop back into place and he walked and trotted up completely sound. Vet put him on bute and and told me to turn him out overnight to keep the joint mobile. I went to check him yesterday morning and he was unfortunately worse :-( He was dragging his toe on every 5th or 6th step, then appeared to be able to release it, only for it to drag again. Got vet back out and he's now in the sick paddock, continuing with bute and Xrays booked for Monday.

Both the vet and I are confused, as he doesnt seem to fit the criteria for a locking stifle in that he's not a 'youngster' as such, he's been on 24/7 turnout for the past 2 months, is in work, doesnt have particularly weak muscling on his back end and doesnt have overly straight hind leg conformation. I've only had him for 3 months, but I know his history and this hasnt happened in the past. So we're thinking it may be an acute injury, maybe the result of ligament or tendon damage from a slip in the field? Does anybody have any experience of this? If so, what were your experiences and outcomes? TIA
 
Thanks AA, it's really good to hear of a positive outcome, i'm so glad that Martha is doing well! It has got me thinking though... the vet has told me to lunge him over poles between now and the X-ray to start building up his back end and I could fully understand this if it had been an ongoing issue, but if there is a ligament tear, would exercise not potentially cause more damage?! I may give him a call just to clarify.
 
Tirna said:
Thanks AA, it's really good to hear of a positive outcome, i'm so glad that Martha is doing well! It has got me thinking though... the vet has told me to lunge him over poles between now and the X-ray to start building up his back end and I could fully understand this if it had been an ongoing issue, but if there is a ligament tear, would exercise not potentially cause more damage?! I may give him a call just to clarify.
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I can only offer advice based on Martha's situation. My vet shut the horse in the box for two weeks, then limited walking in straight lines under tack. I put a light rider on to do this as I am not at all light. The horse did show improvement but was not right, she was then sent in to hospital. The ligament injury that was feared by my vet, when the horse presented lame/stuck was the meniscus.

In all honesty I would not be trotting over poles or anywhere else until the horse has been investigated. My mare displayed a stringholt gait when she was at her worst, improvement was rapid and the hospital said she had been improving long before they saw her, purely from standing in the box.

Good luck with your horse and let us know how you get on.
 
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