Locking Stifles

TuscanBunnyGirl

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:)

I have a 5 year old mare who suffers from locking stifle. She lives out 24/7. Her conformation isn't great but she's a sweetie :) However, her previous owner put her into foal at 3 i assume? and was riding her before that. She's had a whiles break just to chill :)

I was always under the impression that there wasn't much you could do for a locking stifle but that it doesn't cause pain. Is this correct?
Any tips or ideas for helping her with it? :)

Thank you
xxx

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hayinamanger

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This problem usually sorts itself out when a young horse starts work and building muscle. If you find her with her stifle locked, send her forwards smartly and it will unlock. It's something they usually grow out of and it doesn't seem to cause pain but looks alarming.
 

TuscanBunnyGirl

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I was told to walk them forwards them back up and then pick their foot up :)

Thanks so much for the reply :) Put my mind at rest a bit :) Was getting a little concerned. Will light exercise help?
 

MerrySherryRider

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Having her out 24/7 will help as stabling will compound the problem. Yep, backing up until the stifle unlocks is the first line of treatment. Then building up the muscle either by lunging or walking over poles. Should hopefully resolve as she gets more muscled.
 

BobbyMondeo

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Exercise will help as she will build up muscle behind will help tone that area and pull the ligaments tighter stopping the joint getting locked up.

Also as she gets older she should just naturally grow out of it, some young horses joints just dont develop as quick (probably down to her being in foal at quite a young age)

I wouldnt worry to much, just get it unlocked and carry on if it happens
 

mystiandsunny

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My horse is 11 and never grew out of hers. Many horses do though, once they muscle up and start work. The trick is to get enough muscle on that stifle, which can be difficult as it will be stiff and they won't use it as freely as they should. From my long years of experience lol, some tips:

When out of work:
- Live out 24/7, preferably on a hill.
- Expect the stifle to lock. Your horse can unlock it herself, but gentle encouragement is the kindest option - don't send her forward/backwards 'smartly' as if it's taking time, it's scary for them if you aren't understanding.
- It may lock worse just before her seasons, and clear up a lot when she's in season due to the effect of oestrogen on the elasticity of the ligament involved.
- She may find it much harder to unlock with back shoes than without (depending on the severity of the locking).
- If it doesn't unlock quickly each time, she'll be more vulnerable to injuries from pecking order incidents, as the other horse will kick out, expecting her to be able to move out of the way in time, but she won't be able to.

When in work:
- Circles help, transitions help, trotting up hills helps LOADS. Trotting over poles helps.
- Work every day with only one day off makes the biggest difference as the horse will stiffen up with more than one day off at once.
- Don't listen to instructors who tell you to get her sharp to your impulsion asking aids by bullying her - if a sharp kick doesn't get what you want, maybe she can't do it.
- Long warm-up in walk with circles, lateral work (I had to teach my mare this from the ground first as she found it physically difficult, but once she'd got it, made a big difference to her), halt and ask for a specific hind leg to move off first.
- Lunge in the morning then ride in the evening gives the best results if you have time. Walker helps too in morning in place of lungeing. Yours is only 5 though...
- If she's locking a lot before you want to mount, trot her up in hand for a few mins, then mount quickly and move off straight away. That way you avoid the stifle locking up as you get on, and the scary 'ahh it's locked with me on board' thing!
- She may be scared of jumping at first (as in, will it lock when I try to leave the ground?) - I left it until we'd built some muscle up, but once we started jumping, it did help a lot.

The unlocking process does cause discomfort, and if it's stuck enough, a little pain.

Lastly, I wouldn't try this until she's older, but if it doesn't go away with age, I've just discovered (through chance as was medicated for another injury), that anti-inflammatories help hugely, so mine is on Boswellia serrata and it has made a huge difference. I wouldn't medicate a youngster though unless on vet's advice.
 

TuscanBunnyGirl

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mystiandsunny thank you so so soo much for your advice! :D

I really appreciate it! :D

I was worried about exercising her too much but I've only been hacking and a little trotting :) Your post has given me a lot more confidence :D Thank you!

She does live out on a hill (Living in the mountains of Tuscany at the moment). I have noticed that she does stiffen up more when left for a few days but now I will definitely have her out everyday at least hacking and trotting up hills :)

I'm not too worried about her being subject to pecking order injuries as thankfully she's my good bossy mare who keeps my two year old and yearling in their places (someone has to :rolleyes: ) :)

I don't think I'll be jumping although it is sooo tempting! :D As she was really bought for a quiet hack for my mum but her paces are so lovely when being ridden (i think it's the arab in her) so we'll just work on the dressage :D

I really really really appreciate your advice! :D Will get to work straight away! :D
Thankyou!!!
xxx
 
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