Locking stifle

[Deleted]

Hi,

sorry I am new to chat rooms etc so I hope I am in the right place.

I wonder if anyone has any ideas on locking stifle.

I have managed to search some previous discussions and there is mention of excersises but can anyone explain? Any help much appreciated.

I have a 5years old Dales who doesn't tend to lock completely just seems to click in and out very frequently. Started him in the end of last year and then turned him away. Brought him into work in the spring and gently increased his work but it hasn't improved then he fell on his knees so I have turned him away again. People say he will grow out of it but no one I know has dealt with this problem so I was hoping for some ideas.

[Debbie]

I know VJEbony has a pony named Ebony who had this as a youngster with both stifles. She ended up having the surgery done on him as he never outgrew it, and he came right as rain. She said it was fast, painless, and he never fussed about the surgery. It was done right in his stall.

I have a filly that each and every time she has a growth spurt, she goes bum high, and she ends with a locking stifle, mostly her left, but at times its both of them. I'm hoping she'll outgrow it, but will look into the surgery if she needs at a later date. Currently she's only 3.

I think its really down to each pony and chatting with your vet about what's best.

[Deleted]

Thank you for your thoughts. I did call the vet after he fell on his knees she felt I should have him operated on. But as it is in both stifles it would mean after op he would not be able to sleep standing up which seemed a huge thing to do to him!!! Poor boy it doesn't seem to bother him much it never locks solid just pops in and out but he can't understand why he isn't going out hacking with the others

[Anna]

Assuming the falling on knees is unrelated and he's ok now the best thing you could do is actually get him hacking out with his friends and back into work.

Locking stifles are relatively commen and espeically in youngsters (and that could be upto age 6/7 with dales as they mature so slowly, you may notice it is more prevalent when you chap goes bottom high). If you can build up a good muscle on the back end it will help prevent them. Whilst horrid to see I wouldn't be overly concerned if they are just popping in and out until he's a little older, as long as they are not completely locking stuck. Also try to have him out 24/7 so he's constantly moving on it, its far better for them than being stabled on it. Hilly paddocks are good too!

Hope thats of some help, its horrid to see.

[Deleted]

Thank you. The vet felt the falling on knees was due to him concentrating so much on what his back end was up too! He is a bit dopy! ;D

I wasn't convinced but I suppose his clumsiness could be related to it, he fell on his knees on two seperate occasions and even with knee boots managed to graze himself

The vet told me if I wouldn't have op I shouldn't ride him anymore until he got over it. So I opted to turn him away for the winter and see if he does grow out of it. It's interesting that you think he could still be growing till he is 6/7 thats a great relief as I really don't want to have him operated on so there is still hope.

Many thanks

[Deleted]

Don't know of a local physio or TTEAM practioner nearby. I will do some research. Would be great to find some excersises to help him.

It pops in and out possibly 30 or 40 times aday! If I stand and watch him grazing you will see it happen as he mooches round the field but it never locks solid. When ridden in walk is not so frequent, never happens in trot but does occassionally in canter which upset him!

Poor boy it obviously bothers him. Picking his hind feet out is always a challenge. Once both went at same time and he went down on his back end but it is much improved since then.

He lives out 24/7 only has to stand in stable for an hour whilst the others go out as he gallops around like an idiot. However have been working on that and he is nearly at the stage where he will be left in the field alone.

Thanks for everyones input is great to hear from other Dales people and their experiences.

[leannwithconnie]

Hello Dillydally [love the name]
Welcome to the board ... I hope you get plenty of good advice from the members regarding your Dales pony's locking stifle and any other problems you may have.
When you get chance perhaps you would like to tell us a little bit about yourself and your pony on the welcome thread here:
dalesfans.proboards102.com/index.cgi?board=new
Look forward to hearing about your pony and reading your posts

[jap]

i had a long discussion with mark johnston,racehorse trainer and qualified vet about this once.He was adamant that it was far better to strengthen the horses up by constant work but only walk and trot.it is as a last resort they are operated on ,and not before 8 yrs old,I was quoted ,by one of the top horse hospitals that there is an 80 % chance of infection into the joint with the operation so needs to be considered carefully.Make sure your vet is upto date regarding this and ask for a second opinion if necessary.most grow out of it thankfully.

[Deleted]

Thank you for your replies.

Very interested to hear that is such a high risk of infection. Also that best to wait till 8yrs old before considering op. Always wondered in back of my mind if it could leads to arthritis in older years.

All this help has made me feel that I shall definately not rush into op whatever vet says. Think I will let him have the winter off then bring him back into work with loads of walking in hand and on long reins and build him up really slowly and see if problem improves.