Bucked knees in 1 week old foal

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alidav

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Hi, over the past 3 days my foal has developed what I think is bucked knees. She can't 'lock' them and they tremble when she stands still. Can anyone offer advice from their own experience as to leave alone or need a vet out? On the net I've read time and again that they will correct themselves or in severe cases they will need splinting or an op. I've read that the mothers milk maybe too rich and she is on really lush grazing but Im moving her off today to see if it helps and will stable overnight. She races about without any trouble.
 
I think this sounds like what we had last year, I had the vet out and we were advised to only turn them out for really short periods so he had plenty of time to strengthen up. To begin with they were only turned out for two seperate half hours a day. It was a real pain but all is fine now. He was a large but weak foal, only difference from yours being that he started off like this. It is also important to keep feet well trimmed to keep things going in the right direction.
 
OK thanks Judastree. I just been up to the yard and one leg is almost normal so perhaps it will sort itself out. She wasnt trembling so much either. The farriers coming out Saturday for another pony but as the foal is only 10 days old she wont need anything done. She's in the barn tonight to stop her belting around. I'll try and upload a photo either tonight or tomorrow and perhaps you can let me know if she does look the same as your foal. Thanks again.
 
As above really, I'd keep turnout to a minimum, gradually increasing as the foal gets stronger... we don't realise what hard work it is for a baby having to wander round a field after mum all day!
 
I had a foal with something that sounds very much like this last year. She was only allowed out for 10-15 minutes at a time and had to have quite intensive leg stretching and knee pushing physio practically from Day One.

It took some time but within about a month she had sorted herself out and is perfectly normal now. Bonus of course being that she is now an absolute doddle with her feet!

Personally, if you are not happy I'd say get the Vet out to have a look, he'd certainly be able to advise you on some stretching that may help strengthen if that is what is needed. My Vet gets dragged out pretty much on their first day to check mine over so he picks up things like that straight away.
 
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