How do you tell if your horse has a stifle injury?
Signs and Symptoms of Stifle Lameness
- Dragging the toe.
- Canter resistance.
- Very rough canter.
- Difficulty backing up.
- Shortened stride.
- Issues going up and down hills.
- Drifting to one side over fences.
- Problems transitioning from trot to canter and vice versa.
Can you ride a horse with stifle injury?
And while mild cases may appear vague (with only a slight lameness), there are ways to make your horse sound again, often without invasive procedures. However, if left untreated, horses that display a regular locking stifle may be unsafe to ride and may require surgery.
What does a locked stifle look like?
A locked stifle is very obvious and can look alarming. However, it’s usually not as serious as it first appears. If your horse has the condition, he’ll stand with his hind leg locked in extension (it will appear very straight and stiff) and he may drag the toe of his hoof along the floor behind him.
Why is my horses stifle swollen?
True swelling of the stifle area can be associated with a variety of underlying problems, from traumatic injury to OCD to infection. The biggest question is always whether or not the swelling is within or outside of the joint, and whether the horse is lame. This determination requires your vet’s expertise.
How do you unlock a horse stifle?
When your horse experiences a locked stifle, gently guide it into a position that will unlock it. If you are walking your horse and its hind leg gets stuck in an extended position, signal your horse to rein back. This movement will allow the ligament in its hind leg to slacken, allowing the joint to unlock.
What is a locking stifle?
Problems occur when the patella gets ‘stuck’ in the upward position; this is termed upward fixation of the patella (UFP) or a locking stifle. When the patella fails to disengage from the bony ridge, the leg remains extended, giving the characteristic stance seen in horses with a locking patella.
What can I do for a stifle injury?
Start a targeted exercise program. If your horse’s locked stifle is ongoing and seems to be ruining its quality of life, intervene with exercise. Targeted exercise of its hind quarters will strengthen the tension of the ligament around its stifle, relieving the problem.
Is it possible for a stifle injury to heal in time?
Some stifle injuries can heal with time and rest such as strains of the collateral ligaments but in this case, it sounds like perhaps the horse had injured the cranial curciate ligament, hense the vets giving a poor prognosis.
How to treat locked stifles in horses?
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Professional Help Ask your veterinarian about supplements. Ask your veterinarian if vitamins or supplements would be effective in treating your horse’s locked stifle. Try equine aquatic therapy. If your horse is struggling with locked stifles, look for facilities near you offering aquatic therapy for large animals. Ask about blistering the stifles.
What are symptoms of stifle problems?
When stifle trouble strikes, the symptoms include heat, swelling and lameness as well as back and croup soreness, which are similar to those of hock problems, initially making diagnosis difficult, says Dr. MacDonald. In addition, the stifle-sore horse may exhibit common performance issues, such as stiffness,…