locking stifles-muscle buliding and exercise advice

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emjhastings

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Hi

My horse has locking stifles they are not too bad as in her leg doesn't get stuck. The vet has been out and felt them and said that its happening a lot but doesn't appear to be causing her any pain. She does start to get faster when I lunge her after it has happen though as if she is running away from it. I would really apreciate some advice on an exercise programme, my vet has advised giving bute for 2/3 weeks and building her muscles up. I have to be careful as she has a few other problem including Kissing spine, Sacro Iliac problems and arthritis in the hocks. We are doing really well after the KS operation and I am very hopeful that the summer is going to be good. I am currently riding twice a week and lunging 2/3 times. I am thinking that I am better to walk for week including hills and poles. Any advice would be great. Thanks
 
The only advice I would offer is supplement with glucosomine and msm if you are already doing fitness programme.It helped pony we had on loan .Once he was fit and made up muscle problem never arose again.
 
Hills, hills, hills and then try some hills. Also pole work over raised poles and as much turnout as possible, taking into account her other health issues.

How old is she and did your vet suggest having a small op which fixes it?
 
hillwork, walking over raised poles and leg yielding.
my boy suffered last year (as a gangly 4yo) but he has really mucled up over winter and *touchwood* hasnt had an issue with it for a good 4 months now.
 
Thanks guys, the vet said that they didn't really do the op any more as it can lead to other problems, also I think she has been though enough with all the other stuff. I am just hoping that we can muscle her up enough for me to enjoy a few nice hacks over the summer. Thanks again.
 
I had a Clydey with this problem and I researched all over the place finding out about it.

The old operation involved cutting the ligament which was thought to cause early onset of arthritis. The new op involves a small slit in the ligament which causes it to swell thus stopping the leg from locking as you have to exersize the horse for 15 mins 3 times a day following the op for around 2 weeks.

Basically you need to do as others have said and do lots of slow walking up hills etc. No lunging and tight turns around corners! From what I can gather things like glucosamine dont make any difference to the stufle problem but as your neddy has other problems too this may help with those.

I hope this helps...
 
my mare had the same thing couple years back.

loads of hacking out, hill work, trott poles, raised trott poles, lateral work etc.
 
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