| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
Holly
Gold Member
England
529 Posts |
 Posted - 13 May 2008 : 10:42:33 PM
|
A colt that I have a put a deposit on became lame about 4 weeks ago. He wasn't putting any weight on his left hind and his right hind swelled up to double the size. I knew something was wrong straight away but the breeder thought that he had just strained it from racing around and playing.
Anyway 2 weeks ago when I went back to see him he was just as bad so I asked the breeder to get the vet out as I was very concerned. I wasn't there when the vet actually came out but the breeder rang me that night and said that the vet thought he had twisted the ligaments in his stifle and put him on anti inflamatorys and bute for 10 days and box rest. He is 5 months old so they took this opportunity to wean him off mum and bring him in to the stables. After a couple of days the swelling had gone down in the uninjured leg and he started to put weight on the injured leg.
Its now been 2 weeks and he is off the bute, both legs look normal.
The horse dentist came out today to check some of the other horses teeth and had a look at the colt for me and said that he had deffinitly dislocated his stifle joint.
What are your opinions of foals who have dislocated their stifle joints?? any info would be great. Can i still go on to ride him in the future?
Thanks
Holly
p.s I took photos of his legs a few weeks ago. I will post them this week with new pictures of his legs now.
|
   |
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
NUTTER
Platinum Member
England
2452 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2008 : 08:25:36 AM
|
Years ago we had a youngster with this ..she was admitedly older just 2 years,
My vet at the time treating her was adamant she would never come sound
By the time she was 3 one day sound next day lame!!!
My vet told me she would never be able to be ridden.
I found her a home as a compannion to a very old retired shire who had pulled drove whatever they call it!!!!
At 4 years the new owner got her to be broken to drive ?
as this did not effect her as they pull from the shoulder ..she was never lame!!!
I lost touch with this mare as the old guy who had her passed on
all his animals were taken care of as he had found good permanant homes for all if something like this should happen to him.
3 years ago i bumped into a old aquaintance who had photos of her youngest daughters new loan pony who was a true sweetie and 13 years!!!
and i was gob smacked it was the mare,
she is never lame always sound ridden regually!!!!
So thats my bit proberly not much help, but my old vet wrote her of
and this mare has had timeout always been in very kind knowledgable hands and flurished. |
  |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
s.jade
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2401 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2008 : 09:11:49 AM
|
| My filly used to do it - it was quite scary as she'd get stuck totally. She is now a super riding horse in a lovely home, and as above - she has never taken a lame stride. |
 |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Crusaders Angel
Gold Member
England
531 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2008 : 10:32:21 AM
|
My cob used to do this as a youngster for first few nights of being stabled in the winter. No option of leaving him out as everyone bought theirs in and he used to pace up and down all night. They are easy to put back in once you have learnt the technique.
I used to use shavings - less bulky underfoot when turning in a small space.
When breaking him in (I bought him as a unhandled 2 1/2yr old) I used to long-rein him out in the woods or lead him. I didn't do any work in the school as it was quite deep and sandy. Basically, I didn't do anything that would stress the joint such as tight circles or work in deep going if I could avoid it. Also, when picking the feet up try and keep them as low as you can so you don't flex the hock joint too much as the degree of flexion in it is mirrored by the stifle.
By the time he was 6 it had stopped dislocating completely. Between 4 and 6 it only happened a couple of times and 1 of those was because he was hoolying round the field and slipped in the mud  .
With time and a careful structured exercise programme the ligaments strengthen up. You just have to be prepared to put your plans on hold and be consistent in your training. I used to walk Mo out every day, even if it was just for half an hour, but I was lucky enough to keep him on a yard that backed on to Sherwood Forest.
Hope this helps, don't be put off by it if you are prepared to put the work in. Youngsters are designed to have very lax joints and ligaments but some take longer than others to strengthen up.
Feel free to PM me if you think I can help
Lucy
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Holly
Gold Member
England
529 Posts |
Posted - 15 May 2008 : 9:11:32 PM
|
Thanks everyone for your experiences.
I love this little colt very much. He is only 5 1/2 months old and i have spent a lot of time handling him over the winter. I want to keep him entire and use him on my mares and ride him in the future so its good to hear that everyone elses stories ended happily.
I went to see him again tonight and it looks like it has dislocated again. I don't know whether i am looking for something to be wrong or if it actually has dislocated again. It is fairly obvious whenit does dislocate?
He has been off the bute for 3 days now and unfortunately he is not putting a lot of weight on his left hind. He is walking around his box ok but when he stands still he rests his hind left.
Im supposed to be bringing him over to my place next week and i don't know whether to keep him on box rest or turn him out with my girls. He is very good with other horses.
I think i will get the vet out again before i bring him over and make sure i am there this time.
Holly |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked 