locking stifle in two year old

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jxcharl

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I have just bought a two year old colt rising three that has been broken to ride and drive. He seems to have a locking stifle and I was wondering if any one had any suggestions on what are the best exercises to help him build his muscles up to help with this problem. I have a vet coming out on wednesday to confirm his problem.
 
My 4yr old ex racer had it when i got him. He soon grew out of it, keep him out as much as poss to keep him moveing. When it does lock push him back before you move off to unlock it, he might be reluctant but its ment to be the best way. Mine usually tried to avoid going back at all cot and just walked forwards and it didnt bother him at all though. He soon grew out of it, came bk on the odd ocasion in the winter when he was in alot. But now it hasnt happened in nearly a year i would think. When i got his back looked at tho she said about puting small wedges in his shoes to try to avoid it happening but he didnt need it, just sorted itself out over time once he muscled up more.
 
ditto to the pushing them back to unlock it

One of the ponies I look after has this problem and all the vet suggested was a joint supplement and keeping her warm unless it gets any worse
 
straight lines on the flat will build it up.

however, if it is locking frequently and fairly severe i personally would leave him off work to grow out of it

we have a 3yo which damaged his stifle as a yearling- he's only just come right these last couple of months
 
My tb mare has a locking stifle..although not severe.. I would describe it more of a sticking stifle rather than a locked stifle.. the vet recommended as much work as poss for her, lots of hill work to build her up even more than the muscle machine she already is. Lots of schooling..being doing it for a few weeks now (the condition comes & goes with her) & it's now almost completely stopped. The vet was happy for her to be lunged too but I personally thought she was worse on a small circle so stopped that but vet was sure it wouldn't hurt her.
 
Ginger Bear said:
My tb mare has a locking stifle..although not severe.. I would describe it more of a sticking stifle rather than a locked stifle.. the vet recommended as much work as poss for her, lots of hill work to build her up even more than the muscle machine she already is. Lots of schooling..being doing it for a few weeks now (the condition comes & goes with her) & it's now almost completely stopped. The vet was happy for her to be lunged too but I personally thought she was worse on a small circle so stopped that but vet was sure it wouldn't hurt her.
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depends on the severity- if it's actually locking there is no way you should work the horse on small circles, certainly not lunging them!! well done for ignoring your vet- they must have misjudged the severity :)
 
Cadfael&Coffee said:
depends on the severity- if it's actually locking there is no way you should work the horse on small circles, certainly not lunging them!! well done for ignoring your vet- they must have misjudged the severity :)
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Well about a month or so ago on a bad day, first thing in the morning sometimes it would lock.. i think the problem was that the vet hadn't seen it first thing..he just watched her go to walk & lift it high a few times so it would unlock. The hill work has done wonders though! :)
 
Yes, locking stifles need to be worked to build up muscle to stabilise the joint, but this pony's not 3 yet! I'd stop working it and turn it out 24/7 and give it time to mature...
 
Nocturnal said:
Yes, locking stifles need to be worked to build up muscle to stabilise the joint, but this pony's not 3 yet! I'd stop working it and turn it out 24/7 and give it time to mature...
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Best advice yet!

and when he's mature enough bring him into work with walks out inhand first to build him up. then introduce gentle lunging on a large circle and finally ridden work.

This horse should not be ridden for another year IMO
 
first thing to know is what's causing it, joint or ligament, ask a vet that knows about stifles

no horse should be 'worked' at that age, he is in a state of growth i would not work a youngster if its fixing and staying out, the joint might be inflamed.

cut out corn if growing rapidly, if its the ligament use Ball solution 8 days a month, rug up if weather cold so muscular contractions don't make it worse, or at night if cold, if poss leave out full time, get one of those little massage tools, and use daily on the joint itself and the ligament to increase circulation, and relax muscles, and on the acupressure points at the base of the neck and the three points down the back of the thigh
 
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