Popping pastern/fetlock?!

[Nakita]

Hi all,

Well I noticed the other night when Emma was tied up outside her stable that one of her hind legs when she puts her full weight on to it ie puts her heel down it looks like something pops in her pastern/fetlock area.
Now I had noticed it once before months ago do the same thing when I was leading her to the field but thought it was a one off, now I noticed it again started to worry and have been watching.
It doesn't to it every single time and she is happy and well in herself, running about like a mad woman enjoying life! Sometimes though it looks as though she doesn't want to put the weight on her heel but she always does.

She is a rising 2 yr old Friesian btw. Sorry for the kind of rambling post!

Any thoughts or experiences with this would be appreciated, should I call my vet?

N x

 

[Alexart]

Seeming they are so prone to joint problems I would ask your vet for advice as it's just in one foot and is coming from the pastern - it can cause lameness and is probably a bit uncomfortable when it clicks. It's often from having upright feet combined with sickle, close set hocks - which friesians seem to be bred to have for some reason, sometimes the heel needs to be dropped a bit to help correct it - haven't had any first hand dealings with this but have heard of a few with the same sort of thing and they usually grow out of it, but you need to keep an eye on it though - ask your vet!

The advice we always give to people when they have baby friesians to try and help minimise the chances of joint problems developing like OCD is:
Turned out 24/7 if at all possible,
No rugs,
Addlib hay/haylage and a vitamin lick - no hard feed.
Also try and keep her on the slim side over winter, especially the first 3 or 4 winters, as that is when they do the most growing so you don't want extra weight on the joints.
And no lunging till they are at least 5 - just long lining, and wait until they are 4 till they are backed - so many are backed at 2 now and they end up with huge problems later on!

We've found it a struggle to get the flab off our lot this winter as it's been cold and dry which they cope with far better and don't use as many calories to keep warm than cold and wet so they've not lost as much as usual over winter!! I have a friesian filly the same age as yours and at this rate will be on more restricted than normal spring grazing with the older horses as she really hasn't lost the flab!!, mind you neither have my TB's and I have only had a rain sheet on them twice this winter so far!!!!
Good luck, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but better to be safe - let us know what the vet thinks!

 

[UnaB]

Seeming they are so prone to joint problems I would ask your vet for advice as it's just in one foot and is coming from the pastern - it can cause lameness and is probably a bit uncomfortable when it clicks. It's often from having upright feet combined with sickle, close set hocks - which friesians seem to be bred to have for some reason, sometimes the heel needs to be dropped a bit to help correct it - haven't had any first hand dealings with this but have heard of a few with the same sort of thing and they usually grow out of it, but you need to keep an eye on it though - ask your vet!

The advice we always give to people when they have baby friesians to try and help minimise the chances of joint problems developing like OCD is:
Turned out 24/7 if at all possible,
No rugs,
Addlib hay/haylage and a vitamin lick - no hard feed.
Also try and keep her on the slim side over winter, especially the first 3 or 4 winters, as that is when they do the most growing so you don't want extra weight on the joints.
And no lunging till they are at least 5 - just long lining, and wait until they are 4 till they are backed - so many are backed at 2 now and they end up with huge problems later on!

We've found it a struggle to get the flab off our lot this winter as it's been cold and dry which they cope with far better and don't use as many calories to keep warm than cold and wet so they've not lost as much as usual over winter!! I have a friesian filly the same age as yours and at this rate will be on more restricted than normal spring grazing with the older horses as she really hasn't lost the flab!!, mind you neither have my TB's and I have only had a rain sheet on them twice this winter so far!!!!
Good luck, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but better to be safe - let us know what the vet thinks!

I agree with this. Definately have a word with your vet.

Friesians are prone to joint problems and i've heard of a few the last couple of years that have had similar problems, those i think were due to being started too young (one being hacked and schooled at just 2 - and they wonder why they have a problem!!!!), it could just be where your youngster is growing and her joints are just developing and its not a problem, but its worth having it checked.

I also kept my mare slim for her first few years. She is rising 5 now and I still dont have her fat, although she did get a bit porky just before christmas as I was feeding them far too much hay But I think she has developed better for being slimmer as a youngster. I took her to the keurings as a 2yr old and was disgusted to see the youngsters that were nothing short of obese, someone told me it was to make them look more mature to get a better grade. A ridiculous excuse if ever i've heard one. Its no wonder the breed has joint issues if that sort of thing is common practice.