Locking patella?

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jessikaGinger

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Hi Guys

I have had my mare for around 18months
She was on full livery for 2months and whilst there he back leg seemed to lock up whilst riding (once a week hack)
now she is home out 9-5 in over night it seems to have improved but some mornings it happens
i have looked it up and i have a feeling it may be the above?
she gets her new saddle tomorrow so all being weel ridden work will be more frequent
how is it treated?

Thanks :)
 
We had one with this years ago - the solution was to keep him fit and out, being stuck in a stable caused daily locking up. Supplement with a good joint product (cortaflex?)When 'locked' we released it by backing him up. This little chap hunyed 2 days a week and as far as I know was still going into his 20's.
 
Vets dont like to treat the leg, they cut a ligament or some thing like that, to prevent the locking. {only if it is really bad}as it can cause artheritis in later life, plus they can not lock their back legs to fall asleep standing up.The more work a horse does the better, hill work is also good, normaly it will get better as they get older, i sold a pony with it a few years ago, who went on to be a driving pony, it never caused any problems.
 
Regular good quality work, including regular steady hill work (not massively steep hills) and as everybody else has said lots of turnout! :-) good luck
 
i have found that hill work really helps mine, plus as he has gotten a bit older it has not done it as often

also i let him out in the field and make him go backwards using treats etc and just get him doing exercises to loosen it up

vet did advise me that he would grow out of it and that it is really common in big, young horses

i give mine glucosamine and msm (not that it makes any difference) more just for my own peace of mind!
 
This happens occasionally with my friesian. Usually when new grass is coming through - seems to be linked with starch (might be wrong here!) Keeping fit and gentle walking up and down hills was recommended plus a joint supplement to add extra protection to the joint. Turnout makes little difference to him as that is the time I notice it most - as I walk across the field towards him whilst he's grazing I see it catch, usually for a single step then he's fine. Also have been told to back up if he's stuck but never had to yet!
 
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