weak stifles??

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Tinks81

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My 4yo has quite weak stifles she is still rather growing but i wanted to make sure i really do everything i can to help strengthen them??

Does anyone have any good tips what i can do??

Oh and i know you will say hack but this is hard as noone else on the yard for her to go with during the week as groom is on her own
 
What breed is he and are you doing lots of riden work / lunging?

If he is still growing - the stifle is where they grow from as well as the knee growth plates, although he seems abit old to be suffering from this as his growth plates should really be mostly closed now, usually something that effects faster growing yearlings / two year olds... where the bone grows too fast for the muscle / ligaments,

I wouldnt personally have thought it would not be a case of 'strengthening them' as this will come with time when he has matured and finished his growing, but more of a needed rest to allow his body to catch up,

If you are schooling him maybe he is not yet mature enough to deal with his work load, or he is tearing around the field playing with others?
I would more say box rest and walking with the correct nutrition - low calorie, cut out grains and swap haylage for hay and add more nutrition - cortaflex / limestone for calcium?
 
chunky11 said:
What breed is he and are you doing lots of riden work / lunging?

If he is still growing - the stifle is where they grow from as well as the knee growth plates, although he seems abit old to be suffering from this as his growth plates should really be mostly closed now, usually something that effects faster growing yearlings / two year olds... where the bone grows too fast for the muscle / ligaments,

I wouldnt personally have thought it would not be a case of 'strengthening them' as this will come with time when he has matured and finished his growing, but more of a needed rest to allow his body to catch up,

If you are schooling him maybe he is not yet mature enough to deal with his work load, or he is tearing around the field playing with others?
I would more say box rest and walking with the correct nutrition - low calorie, cut out grains and swap haylage for hay and add more nutrition - cortaflex / limestone for calcium?
Click to expand...

*she sorry!
 
Mine has weak stifles, we do lots of pole work, raising one side of the pole a few inches from the floor on alternate side on each pole. Riding on the wrong diagnol for 5 minutes is also good, my pony used to really struggle with this and would skip to try and get me back onto the right diagonal. but definatly recommend pole work
 
My boy had this problem too . . . but just on one side. Came from a problem with his pelvis which is has since been rectified leaving him with a weakness where he's been compensating. My chiro recommended working him . . . lots of transitions, lots of pole work (on the ground and elevated) . . . and it's done wonders.

Give her time and work . . . and if the problem persists and/or you're worried get a physio or chiro out to take a look.

Hope that helps.

P
 
I had a young Icelandic with this. The only way to sort it is work work and more work. Try to avoid downward slopes. Long slow upward inclines are best. All should come right when the muscle builds up to support the area.
 
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