minature pony with locking stifle

[debsflo]

our little mini spotted yearling is having locking stifle.initally it was ocassional but seems to becoming more frequent.nearly always in the morning when shes been in and laid down and this morning both of them had gone.usually it wears off quickly and she doesnt seem at all bothered.i have been told its common in minatures and should improve as she develops and to walk her out and do hill work to build her muscle but am thinking of getting the vet out for reassurance,also wondered if the boggy fields had made it worse,any advice or experience of this please

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Typical advice is, it's more common in younger animals, they usually grow out of it, strengthening the muscles helps, especially by doing hill work if possible, having them live out helps and it looks worse than it is ie, more distressing for us to see than for them to experience.

 

[hallarider]

Hi

My minature shetland had it when she was a yearling. It always happened in the morning after being stabled all night so we let her live out and she just grew out of it! It never happened whilst she was living out.

 

[debsflo]

cant live out as other 2 are in otherwise had thought of that

 

[DuckToller]

My horse had it and he was worse after standing in, but it never really bothered him, so I wouldn't worry too much. I am averse to paying vets fees unless it's an emergency, especially as when I got the vet out for mine, he got all high tech on me and started talking about operations and worst-case scenarios - the horse is a Grade A showjumper now (sadly I sold him for other reasons - damn!).

I remember when I went xc on mine he jumped into the water and his leg half-locked - I think it was the drag so maybe the boggy ground is making it a bit worse, but again there's nothing you can do about it. As soon as he is ready, I'd start long-reining and building him up then hopefully it will improve.

Mind you, don't suppose he will ever get to be a Grade A showjumper

 

[fallenangel123]

My mini mare had it. Honestly the hill walking works a treat, as does allowing them to mature. She is four now and has totally grown out of it.

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Its very common in mini ponies. My boss had a mini shettie that kept locking up badly and the vet did a keyhole op ( horse only sedated and took a whole 10 minutes!) and he was fixed- worth asking your vet about.