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locked stifle please help

11K views 16 replies 5 participants last post by  KatCashen 
#1 ·
My horse's stifle has been locking lately an it takes hours for it to unlock .. can anyone please help me on how to maybe unlock it ..and to prevent it from happening! Thanks so much!
 
#5 ·
How old is your horse? What is it's exercise regiment? Have you spoken with a veterinarian about the issue?
Just found out she is a year younger then wat previous owner said so she is 2 years old turns 3 in march.. She was way malnurished and in a 10x12 stall so very very limited exercise before i got her.. i have called the vet and he said if it happens more an more often then he will come out.
 
#3 ·
My suggestion is going to the Vet to get xrays and an examination done.

My TB's Stifle locks periodically, and I took him to an Equine Lameness Specialist to get a full examination done, and we ended up going with iodine injections. They worked great :) I couldn't be happier!

First, you need to find out why and what is going on - but you can't get that info on a forum - you need to haul your horse to a Equine Lameness Specialist, and go from there.

All the best :)
 
#4 ·
when my horse first showing signs of locking stifle my vet advised me to walk him up hills 30 min per day it built up his muscles really well and it worked. He would always get locked stifles during work we would trot for 10 min then start to walk and as soon as we went to trot again it happened.
 
#6 ·
I spoke to my vet because I have a pretty bad locking stifle problem in my 3 year old filly. Apparently this condition is extremely common in young fillies, especially those lacking any muscle. It has something to do with the way the pelvis is developing due to giving birth that makes it most common in fillies.

Typically, it's not a big deal. My filly locked bad the first time, and usually backing them up helps it unlock the mechanism but it never does with my filly. Apparently you can also lift the leg, feel for the mechanism and physically pop it back out. I haven't tried this yet.

The key is to keep them moving. I also just ride my fillies out now, it only locks at the walk and if she spends excessive time standing so we do lots of trot work and it eases itself back to normal. If you're not riding her yet, maybe put her in a round pen or do some light jog work on the lunge?

My filly has improved ten fold compared to how drastic the first time was, she was locked for hours and walking with a leg bobble. Building muscle is extremely important.
 
#7 ·
MacabreMikolaj-
Backing up doesnt work for her either she rears when i try and i dnt want to risk hurting her so i dnt push it..her legs was completely locked she was dragging it pretty much! B.M did trysome anti-inflamitory an that seems to help her. it has only locked twice so far the first time 4 hours the second a little less. tried to wrk her today but she refused too an would not let me catch her. Tomorrow i will do a light work out to start! And get those muscles on her!! Thank you for all your info it helps sooo much.

Thanks TO EVERYONE as well of course!
 
#9 ·
I honestly wouldn't worry about so much! As much as it looks very painful, apparently it's typically just a mild annoyance to the horse and doesn't have the potential to cause serious injury unless of course they're prone to being picked on and even then, ironically pivoting and running is what's going to actually unlock it. If she appears to be distressed, painkillers and anti-inflammatory's can be used, but usually it's best just left alone.

Jynx was the same, dragging her leg around, it was horrid the first time it happened. It was a long weekend and I couldn't call a vet, so I finally just turned her out and hoped for the best and the next morning she was right as rain! It's happened a few times since then, and as long as I keep her moving she's fine.

Most prognosis' is that it will resolve itself as the horse matures and the skeleton shapes the way it's supposed to. Good luck!
 
#10 ·
Be careful about working her too much too soon. Take it slow and easy with her. Even without the stifle issue she is still a baby. This can resolve itself, but it can also get much much worse to the point where surgery is the only fix.

Since you've already spoken with your vet about it I would work her lightly, increasing her exercise slowly, and document the times it occurs. If it keeps occuring even with a slow conditioning program you need to get the vet out.
 
#11 ·
SOOO UPDATE !!! Libertys Stifle hasnt locked for a couple days now YAY!! but now she is doing a Terrible 2s atittude where she wont let me put on her halter shes bittin an kicken just being a real brat. soo i have hired a trainer to work with her an one day has already made great progress! :)
 
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