Locking Patellas (potential new horse)

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kateknights

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Hi, am off to look at another horse tonight, i have just phoned up about her and got told that as a 5yr old she had locking patellas! I have never heard of this before! Does anyone have any experience with this at all?
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She had keyhole on it and the owner said that it has never bothered her since?
Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks guys
Kate x
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It's also known as stifle lock, which you may have heard of? It usually happens to young horses with lack of muscle tone behind. Surgery can mean that the horse will be slightly more prone to arthritis in the future, but it's nothing major. How old is the horse now and what discipline do you want her for?
 
I discussed this with my vet, albeit with a different animal, my cat. Luxated (locking) patella can be due to trauma or congenital fault. I'd guess that as she's so young it's the latter. Surgery is done one of two ways - to deepen the groove that the kneecap slides into (and thus making it more stable), or cutting the ligament which is pulling the kneecap out. If the surgery is the latter, then there's less chance of arthritis developing, as no bone surgery is involved.

I know I was discussing a cat, but I did ask her if it's the same in horses and she said it's an identical scenario, with certain breeds being more prone to it.

If it has never bothered her since, I'd say she's worth a look, but I'd ask for the vet records from the time the surgery was done and get your vet to look over them.
 
My miniature in the picture has just had surgery on both hinds for upward fixation of the patella. He had the ligaments cut. Usually they have this problem because of poor hindlimb conformation and can improve with more exercise.
Be aware though as you wont get the stifles insured so if anything does happen then you will need deep pockets!
 
The Tb that I ride gets locking patella. It only affects him when he is stabled for a long period of time, mainly in winter and if he is in little work. His hing leg locks when he is asked to move, it can be quite worrying if it doesnt unlock itself straight away but it always sorts itself out before he has taken a couple of strides. However this is the only time he ever has in issue with it, when he's in proper riden work and its warm it doesn't seem to bother him at all.
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My TBX mare suffered from locking patellas when I first got her as a 5 year old. She had it several times over the course of a few months, when she was first stabled (had lived out prior to this), and then never had a problem for the next 18 years, even when on box rest.
 
I agree with AmyMay, don't go there. Why buy yourself a potential problem? They need careful management. I know 2 horses with them, one is managed quite well, but it does lock and schooling wise you can notice the difference, he didn't even canter on one lead until he went on a joint supplement. He's only 6. The other wasn't a problem till she was early teens and now they have remedial shoeing and constant issues.

I'#m sure you could find a horse without a problem like that.
 
If they were cut 5 years ago and he's had no problems since then I wouldnt be worried about it at all.
We have a horse who had it done and returned to international level eventing no problems
 
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If they were cut 5 years ago and he's had no problems since then I wouldnt be worried about it at all.

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Agree..

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Certainly worth a look if it ticks all the boxes
 
I loaned a horse with upward fixation and other than being alkward for the first few strides- he is fine. Apparently still going strong at 15.....
 
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