Sticking/Locking stifle - how long to recover?

[LucyDT]

My mare had surgery to remove an OCD fragment from her hock in Feb this year. 5 weeks ago her stifle started 'locking', the vet put this down to her prolonged period of box rest and then only getting 2 hours of turnout a day, and recommended turning her out to help strengthen the muscles. As I was at a yard with very limited grazing, I moved her the weekend before last to a new yard with 24/7 turnout.

She's very happy and settled and has been turned out ever since we moved (10 days). However, the stifle seems to be locking more now that it did before we moved!! I only notice it when I get her out of the field to feed her each night, it generally happens as she turns - and when I try to pick her feet out and she alters the position of her body.

I was told that turnout was what she needed (i.e to keep moving).. is it just early days!? Will it get better with time? Any advice/experience gratefully received! Thanks

 

[Roody2]

my old mare had this as a 2 year old (no real reason why - no surgery or box rest). She grew out of it by the time she was broken at 4. She was a clydesdale cross and the vet did say it may have been something to do with her hind leg conformation (slightly weaker hocks apparently), there was also some conversation about a sugar intolerance causing it although we never changed her feed or did anything to look into that side.

Is yours a youngster?

 

[LucyDT]

She's just turned 8, so no, not a youngster. It's just so frustrating as it doesn't seem to be improving. It's also horrible to watch, when it happens she is obviously in some level of discomfort. I suppose I just have to hope it gets better as her muscle tone improves. I haven't changed her feed, the only thing that's altered since we moved is that she's grazing 24/7 rather than having haylage. The grass is quite poor though, not lush.. I wonder if it could be diet related? Thanks for your help.