How do you tell if a horse has a stifle problem?
Horses with stifle problems are going to be lame in the hind end. The lameness can be on one or both sides, depending on if one or both stifles are affected. Usually the stifle joint will be swollen and possibly painful but not always.
How do you treat a stifle injury in horses?
Treating Stifle Injuries
- Intramuscular Adequan injections at an early age to improve cartilage development;
- Injection of anti-inflammatory medications such as hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids directly into the joint;
- Rest with light, but controlled exercise; or.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from a stifle injury?
This allows the horse to walk about, but prevents it from lying down. Most horses tolerate this well. The majority of horses are able to return to work after 3-6 months. However, if a large fracture is substantially displaced this has to be treated surgically.
What is locked stifle in a horse?
If the ligament gets hung up and doesn’t slip into an unlocked position, the hind leg can’t be flexed forward and the horse has to drag the stiffened limb forward for a few steps before the ligament releases. … This is commonly known as a locking or sticking stifle.
How do you shoe a horse with a stifle problem?
When shoeing a horse with a stifle problem, he will employ a basket or uneven shoe. The rounded bottom allows the foot to rock. “A basket shoe is a way to strengthen the muscles once they get weak,” says Blagg. “A horse that has a stifle problem is going to have the stifle jump in and out of the joint.
What does a locked stifle look like?
Identifying Locked Stifles. Look for a stiff leg. The horse’s stifle is akin to a human knee, and it usually bends forward. A horse with a locked stifle will likely hold its hind leg stiff and straight, unable to unlock the joint.
Can a horse recover from a stifle injury?
Kaycee Monnens. In the past, an injury to the stifle joint of a horse may have certainly ended his or her career or usefulness. Now, with the ever-evolving science of veterinary medicine, afflictions to the joint have a much higher chance of being treated or even healed.
How do you strengthen a horse’s stifle?
Riding over raised poles (cavaletti) is helpful for developing strength in the horse that has weak stifles or hocks. The slow action of lifting the hind legs up and over the pole will strengthen the Tensor muscle as well as the Long Digital Extensor. Both muscle groups are responsible for the stability of the stifle.
How many days off after stifle injections?
Stall rest ONLY for 24 hours after injection. After 24 hours, turnout is permitted. We recommend not exercising/ riding the horse on the day of treatment as well as one day following treatment (i.e. a total of two days).
How does a horse get a stifle injury?
The stifle is a frequent source of lameness in English and Western performance horses, although it’s not as common a cause as the hock. Stifle problems arise from chronic, repetitive trauma, or as a result of a pre-existing condition.
Why does my horse drag her back feet?
Horses drag their hind feet for many reasons, but the main influences are the rider, the horse’s conformation or shoeing problems. … Low limb carriage, which can cause dragging of the toe, can be due to low heel, long toe foot conformation. Excessive toe wall thickness can also be a contributing factor.
How does the stifle joint work?
It’s the largest joint in the horse’s body. The stifle joint functions to flex and extend the hind leg, moving your horse along. The passive stay apparatus that locks your horse’s hind leg so the other one can rest is also part of the stifle joint’s function.
What causes a locking stifle?
The exact cause of locking stifles isn’t known, but it’s thought it could be due to conformation factors such as straight limbs and a weakness of the quadriceps muscles (those found near the top of your horse’s hind legs). … It is also common in horses in poor condition, or those that have dropped off suddenly.