Locking stifle on a youngster

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lucy1984

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Marley is 2 years and 8 months old and lives out 24/7.

I noticed today a couple of times, his back leg locks and then all of a sudden catches up with the other one when he is walking. This only happens when he has stood for a while and goes to walk off and not all the time.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Will he 'grow' out of it with being young? Plus maybe the cold weather doesnt help? Anything I can feed him to help with this?

Is this a job for the vet or shall I wait to see how it goes?
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He'll probably grow out of it, it's quite common in youngsters. My mare had it in both stifles as a two year old, now she's four and it never happens. Best thing is to lead out in hand up and down hill to strenghthen the back end. It works well and keeps you fit too!!
 
Wait and see how it goes. It may mean eventually having a ligament cut (fairly straightforward - only needs a local anaethestic and a sedative). However unless it becomes so 'locked' you can't free it then most vets will wait and see how it goes, especially in a youngster who is likely to strengthen as she grows up. I've had experience of both and in each case the horses have had no problem in the longterm. Justa tip but sometimes they find it easier to release the locked leg if you send them forward quickly!
 
What breed is he? I hear that this is a common issue with welshs, the vet said to my friend welshs are prone to the stifle popping out. My friend kept picking her youngsters leg forward and clicking it back in place. The vet said the best way to prevent it was to exercise/walk my friends yearling out to promote muscle strength and growth over the stifle area which will help it stay in place!! xx
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What breed is he? I hear that this is a common issue with welshs, the vet said to my friend welshs are prone to the stifle popping out. My friend kept picking her youngsters leg forward and clicking it back in place. The vet said the best way to prevent it was to exercise/walk my friends yearling out to promote muscle strength and growth over the stifle area which will help it stay in place!! xx
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I have a Welsh X and he is 2 years old and we have the same problem! my vet said its nothing to worry about but if it gets worse they can have an op to sort it out.x
 
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