locked stifle

Eventing101 · Well Schooled

locked stifle

Barbara F · Grand Prix

How old is your horse? You might want to ask about the injection. Joint injections are not always the best choice. What exactly happens with the stifle?

Eventing101 · Well Schooled

we actually had his stifle injected today and he's only 5 and and es been raced before so its typical but i was just wondering if anybody knew about it or if they had an storeys thanks :)

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

The one time a mare I ride had this problem my riding teacher backed up the mare 30 to 50 feet, led her forward for a short distance, backed her up again, for around three times back and forward, then she rubbed some linament into the bad stifle.
Before my riding teacher did this the mare WOULD NOT PICK UP the hind leg on the opposite side as the bad stifle. The next week, when I rode her again, the mare was fine.
I was always told that horses with straightish hind legs (looking at it from the side the whole leg, from the hip joint through the stifle and hock looks almost as straight as a post) are more likely to have this problem. The mare I ride does not have straight hind legs which is probably why we did not have the problem again.

Horse-hearted · Advanced

My horse had a rough time with his stifle, mostly attributed to growing up too big too fast.
Jackie, your coach was totally in the right- back up, back up, back up! Backing up eases that stifle with slow manipulation. Make it an intregal part of every exercise: back up before getting on; in your warm up; after a down transition; before you get off; after you get off. Be vigilant about it, and your horse will be much more comfortable.
Avoid jumping, rough ground and excessive cantering like the plague.