My 4 year old arabianxwarmblood gelding has started recently having a popping sound when he walks and trots. We started training around October, and there was no sound when we started. I have been doing research and found that backing up and hill work are good for it (and I have been doing a lot of it). Through the research, I found that it can get to the point that the horse's leg locks up. Nothing that severe has happened, but I don't want to get to the point where it does. Is there any supplements that I could feed him so that we can maintain the state he is at, or make his condition better?
I passed on an amazing mare that had this because of the "what could happens". My understanding of this is conditioning is the best thing you can do for a horse with this. I don't know about supplements, but I know the best thing you can do is keep your horse moving and in good condition. There is a surgery, but it's expensive and from what I understand, not effective enough to make it worth the risk or cost.
We have a horse that is recovering from stifle lameness. Keeping the horse fit is the most important thing. No lunging,yes trot over poles, (to help make the horse lift their feet up thus building more stifle muscle) and walk up and down hills to build stifle muscle. They definately are harder to keep sound and I agree with above statement about avoiding purchasing horses with stifle problems unless they have a dual purpose. In our case the mare we bought has an outstanding pedigree so she can become a great brood mare if we cant keep her sound. The test for her will be this summer. If she cant stay sound for showing she will be retired as a broodmare. It can ruin or disrupt show carreers.
You should really have an ultrasound done to confirm. Your vet will help you with a good fitness program.
I bought my haflinger knowing he had sticky stifles. We weren't going to be using him for shows and I felt an instant connection to him. He has a pocket personality and is such a lover. Our vet came out and did a pre-purchase exam and said that since I am only using him for trail and pleasure riding, I wouldn't need to have injections done. He did tell me to swell the stifles once a month for the first 2 months using green palmolive dishwashing soap and then make sure he got a regular workout. Since I only make it out to the barn on the weekends during the school year, I have a friend who works him on Tuesday's and Thursday's. Our vet said that trotting is a better work out then a canter so we trot for at least 30 minutes every work out. Once the weather gets nicer, I will have him out on trail working those hills.
I expect at sometime, he might have to get the injections but I don't regret my decision to buy him. I can't see my life being complete with out
I just posted on another thread about stifles... my gelding has degeneration in his stifles. Hill work at the walk, lots of trot work, hacking and frequent riding to keep the muscles well developed (can't just be a weekend horse). We supplement MSM and Glucosamine. If they are particularly bad you can also consult with your vet/farrier to see if degree wedge pads on her hind feet might be a solution to increase the angles of her legs and stop the 'hitching' and catching of the patela (which we were dealing with). If they stay muscled up and the degeneration isn't too bad they should be able to stay sound, but it'll be a life long issue, obviously and not an easy keeper.
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