Stumbling/collapsing knee joint

[Lissie2]

Hi after ideas/ similar stories

VET is coming on Wednesday!

My horse has always been a bit of a stumbler. He’s always been able to catch himself though. He is 24 but don’t be fooled - he is still very fit and active (a hardy Arab.)

Recently it has been getting worse though. He has never actually gone down but yesterday his front legs gave way and he went down on our ride twice! Right down! Im lucky he didn’t land on me. He didn’t slip or trip. It’s as though the locking mechanism in his knees momentarily went! Once in canter and once in trot. Needless to say we walked home but even then I felt his joints popping slightly and he had to stop himself with other leg. He’s never gone down before in all the years I’ve had him let alone twice in one ride!

I’m not sure what it is! Athritis is what I am strongly suspecting but he is sound in all his gates(if that makes sense) and he is not in pain either. He is one of the fittest horses on our yard.

has any one else had this behaviour and what did it turn out to be?
Thanks

Lissie

 

[bluehorse]

It would be worth looking at his foot balance. Long heels can contribute to this if he has an upright foot conformation.

 

[L&M]

It would be worth looking at his foot balance. Long heels can contribute to this if he has an upright foot conformation.

Ditto this - speak to your farrier to see if there is anything he/she can do to help....

 

[Zuzzie]

Whatever is the cause of the stumbling you should definitely buy some knee boots to protect him. If he goes down and splits both knees open you will be in trouble. My horse has been a perpetual stumbler for years so I ride him in Westropp Knee Brushing Boots. It used to be possible to buy from Shires but all outlets have stopped stocking them so that its only possible to buy directly from Westropp. I can honestly say that these boots have been a life saver for my horse and I would not be without them. Easy to put on and wear. Try this link: https://www.westropphorseboots.com/product-page/knee-brushing-boots

 

[Lissie2]

Whatever is the cause of the stumbling you should definitely buy some knee boots to protect him. If he goes down and splits both knees open you will be in trouble. My horse has been a perpetual stumbler for years so I ride him in Westropp Knee Brushing Boots. It used to be possible to buy from Shires but all outlets have stopped stocking them so that its only possible to buy directly from Westropp. I can honestly say that these boots have been a life saver for my horse and I would not be without them. Easy to put on and wear. Try this link: https://www.westropphorseboots.com/product-page/knee-brushing-boots

thanks x

 

[be positive]

It could be foot balance but it does sound more like something going on in his knee which at his age could well be arthritis, he may appear to be sound and pain free but he could also be very stoic and putting up with discomfort in both legs which is why he seems to be level.
I would get the vet to take a look and see what they think, it may be that some basic medication is required to help which could solve the issue or at least reduce it before you have an accident, knee boots may protect his knees but a fall at speed could do you some real harm as well as him.

 

[Lissie2]

It could be foot balance but it does sound more like something going on in his knee which at his age could well be arthritis, he may appear to be sound and pain free but he could also be very stoic and putting up with discomfort in both legs which is why he seems to be level.
I would get the vet to take a look and see what they think, it may be that some basic medication is required to help which could solve the issue or at least reduce it before you have an accident, knee boots may protect his knees but a fall at speed could do you some real harm as well as him.

yes it was only afterwards that I truly realised he could have landed on me. It was an extended free canter aswell! So dangerous! Trot too! Totally unexpected - powering along and then down! I need to prevent or understand the actual falling and if I can’t I may have to semi retire him x

 

[Lissie2]

Okay so just a follow up. Vet out and he’s been put on a BUTe trial (which ends this weekend) - whilst he seems happier on bute acould be a coincidence as he is still stumbling! That’s in hand too! I have to trial a short ride this weekend before I phone vet back. Spoke to farrier - his hooves are well balanced and not long in the toe. I think he will need retiring to shorter rides with mainly walk. I can’t risk him collapsing on me? Such a shame ?? turns out his Cushings as increased to but vet says it’s not related. With an increase of Prascend and Bute he is getting the squits! I had to clean up his bum and legs this morning x

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Slightly off topic.. but have you ever looked into his neck?

Yo's cob always stumbled in front but gradually got worse, he tripped badly a few weeks ago and rider fell off. Vet thought arthritis in his coffin joint but specialist thought it was his neck. Neck was x-rayed and showed bad arthritis at C6/C7 and he had steriods last week. The neck was causing pain, hes also a hunter horse, sound and incredibility fit and well.

Tripping can be a sign of neck issues, assuming you're talking about tripping in front. If you are referring to behind then apologies.

 

[Gloi]

It was knee arthritis here caused it, not helped by being on the forehand and hocks also starting with arthritis.

 

[Lissie2]

Hmm at 24 I’m not going to start xrays and all those expensive examinations! It’s just interesting that he is still tripping on bute even though it’s meant to act as an antiinflammatory x

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Hmm at 24 I’m not going to start xrays and all those expensive examinations! It’s just interesting that he is still tripping on bute even though it’s meant to act as an antiinflammatory x

Bute won't help all problems and depends how bad it is, especially neck related/spinal cord issues the specialist told me. Neck x-rays costed me approx £300 so not to bad. Good luck.

 

[Lurfy]

This happened with my children's first pony many years ago. She stumbled right down to the ground while ridden at a walk. It happened twice so I got the vet who diagnosed arthritis in her knee. She was 22 at the time and a brilliant pony, she had been ridden all her life so we retired her and she was paddock sound until 30.