Locking Stifle

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wilde2

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My youngster has problems with a locking stifle - 3 vets have checked it and all said he should grow out of it, and can take up to 18 months of work - I think it is improving (although maybe this is wishful thinking) - and generally the problem is halt/walk transitions, and usually only at the start of work, when he has been in stable overnight etc - but he seems to anticipate getting stuck and this worries him understandably. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience of this, and had any recommendations for particular work to help make him stronger - and also if this led to any other issues. He seems more reluctant than usual to go forward at the moment, and I am wondering if it could be related. Apologies for long post - really would appreciate some advice. Thanks very much
 
one of mine did it when he was younger - it tended to be when he was unfit!

I found lots of walking up hills strengthened his back end and seemed to reduce it.

Like yours once his had locked he wouldn't walk forwards so i avoided halt transitions where possible and if i did halt and he didn't want to go forward i've rein back one step then go forward.
 
speak to your farrier - he may have some suggestions for altering the angle slightly or adding some heal to the hind shoes.
 
our pony of 11.2 was kicked and this caused a stifle locking problem.
She was my 7yr olds jumping pony(1995) so we were very concerned.
The vet said because it was winter and she had dropped off a bit that we should walk her to build up muscles and see how she was in the spring.
I think she was 12 then I think. anyway we did no indoor sj that winter but my daughter discovered that she really enjoyed long hacks in walk in the countryside!!!!
By the start of the spring season she was right as rain and if I remember right at the inital kick (nov) the vet said she might need an op!
We had to sell her when sarah was 11 as her feet where touching the top of the poles!!! And she flew through the vetting.
Good luck with yours
 
one of ours has this problem had it since a youngster now 8 seems to affect her more if she in not worked or has to stay in think the answer is definately excersise we work her on the lunge even if the weather is bad
 
My horse locks intermittently and likes others have said it is worse when he's been on box rest as the muscles become less strong. Also noticed that he is worse in cold weather, we only notice the locking in the depths of winter. He's had a lot of box rest recently so is locking a lot more at the moment!
 
I had a TB that had it. Work never sorted it, so eventually the vet performed an operation on it to cut one of the tendons that was causing the problem. He was 6 at that point.

If you do need the op, it was such a tiny incision that you couldn't even see a mark. I think (but I'm no vet) that there are 3 tendons and they cut one of them to ease the problem.

However, I would recommend persevering with the work. For my horse the cold weather and lack of work made it worse, same as Butterbean. Hill work is definitely the way forward like Inchy says.
 
Thanks so much for the replies - he is normally worked 6 out of 7 days - until the ice age hit us! Will try to find some more hills.
 
How ld is he. when locks back him uphil for about 10 strides.Turn him out 24/7 preferably on a hillside and he wll be fine in a few months. Its his age and lack of correct muscle. needs plenty of brisk wal out in hand if needed, longreining, rraised poles. but turning out is best option
 
Thanks - he is 5 - he does have daily turnout (flat field though) but unfortunately 24/7 not an option - he was very weak behind, and is buildng up slowly - but interested in others experiences and suggestions for exercises - I will try the poles too (and hill work where possible, but pretty flat part of the country!) Thanks so much for your help
 
Just remembered, my vet also recommended making the horse back up for several strides - think she said to work up to 20 strides and even more if possible. Apparently makes them build up their quarters more.
 
A part friesian at our yard has this,he bucks in canter a lot,when he,s in hard work its fine,if like through the winter it plays up,its the muscle build up that supports and helps the stifle,the more muscle the better....hes lovely by the way
 
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