Stifle lock

[Kath0711]

Hi!

I have a 5yro TB who lives out 24/7 but comes in for about three hours a day for food and hay. He's not in work at the moment as we don't have a ménage and the ground is too wet.

usually his stifle isn't too bad. He's just quite sharp when he picks that leg up to have his foot picked out but today it locked up completely. It was very cold! I'm moving him to my new home in spring where I will have a ménage and can begin some daily exercise with him which should help the problem although I'm hoping he'll grow out of it!

i was just wondering if there are any exercises I can do with him whilst he's in? He did unlock it easily today when I took him for a walk but if there's anything I can do to prevent it that would be better.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks xxxx​

 

[lyndsayberesford]

mine had locking stifle as a 2-6 yr old! I was told by physio and vet to do as much hillwork as possible so if u can find a yard with hilly turnout that would be good for him as well as hilly road work. I used to do carrot stretches with mine for general flexibility but making them walk backwards (from the floor) a few steps helps them to use the muscle and ligaments and it gets stronger.

If his leg locks try getting him walking backwards as it helps to unlock

 

[Kath0711]

Thanks! Will walk him backwards and do plenary of stretches! The main problem around here is that being in the Fens there isn't so much as a slope for miles! My TBx mare has pelvic problems and I know that with hill work shed have recovered a lot quicker! Plus our fields are so waterlogged that any form of exercise in them is impossible and dangerous at the moment so I'm very restricted

Xxxx

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

We had a Shetland who did this - we just got the ligament cut. It's a useless ligament that doesn't affect them in the long run. Sedate the pony, 2in incision, hook the ligament, snip, stitch over et voila! Never a problem again!