Unable to lift pony's hind leg

[MummyEms]

My daughter has a fantastic 19 year old 13hh pony club pony.
He's been to HOYS for showing and done high level BD and BS. So a very talented little gem. However now we have him he's her best friend in the world and they do low level pony club, hack and have fun lessons. She's 9 years old.
Sadly the past few days his hind leg (off hind) has started almost locking.... so when she goes to pick up that particular foot (he's very very good usually having his little feet picked up) he can't lift it. If iask him to it will suddenly JeRK up as if its been popped out of joint. Really fast and horribly like it's being snapped. He doesn't seem at all lame or in pain and is eating and well in himself etc.

Please any opinions welcome . All dreadfully worried ?

 

[ycbm]

OK, if he isn't lame that sounds like a locking stifle and it's extremely common. In many horses it's kept at bay by them being very fit and it may be that downscaling his work has let it show. It usually starts when they are very young. It shouldn't cause any problems except the locking and the snap of unlocking, but I'd have a word with your vet about why it's started now. It's caused by a loose ligament, perversely, not a tight one.

Next time it happens try asking him to step back before you make a second attempt to lift the leg.

I hope its as simple as it sounds, he sounds like a gem.
.

 

[MummyEms]

Thank you for your reply.
I've messaged the vet who said to keep an eye on it for now.
It's just such an extreme and very new thing. We've had him a year. He was doing less last year with us than this year. It took my little girl a fair few months to get braver but now they're a real little team xx

 

[ycbm]

Have you changed his management at all? Kept him in more recently? Have a look online at upward luxation of the patella and see if it fits. If you are still worried I would ask the vet for a bute trial to see if pain in the stifle joint is involved somehow.

Please try not to worry too much, I would expect it to be manageable in a pony of that age with some pain relief/anti inflammatory if necessary. It looks more shocking than it is, I had a horse who used to do it in both stifles but he was fine ridden.
.

 

[MummyEms]

He's recently started coming in at night so definitely could be connected to that!!
I shall Google that now. Thanks so much.
All info and insights appreciated!

 

[ycbm]

OK mine was much better when out full time and at 8 he only locked when kept in.

It should have been a bute trial above, not a bus trial ?

 

[MummyEms]

Yes I totally knew what you meant.
Perhaps he really needs to stay out 24/7. Xx

 

[Frano]

Could it be Stringhalt

 

[mini-eventer]

My pony started with this, it was arthritis. However it was easily managed and he had many useful years left. He always struggles to lift his hinds so I quickly elected to take of his back shoes to minimize farrier treatment

 

[nutjob]

I've had one with a locking patella. It can look quite dramatic if your not expecting it, but my horse didn't seem bothered by it at all. As mentioned above, backing the pony up will normally free it off providing it is not too severe. Its worth being careful, especially if children are handling the pony as sometimes they can strain to bring the leg up and it suddenly snaps up and you can get accidently kicked. Mine had frequently periods out of work which made it worse.