Full Answer
How to fix a stifle injury in a horse?
How Do You Treat A Stifle Injury In Horses? Horses with a mild stifle lameness may respond to rest, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or injections of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid to battle inflammation. The vet will discuss a timeframe after the rest period for resuming work with the focus on building conditioning.
What is stifle lameness in horses?
Horses with a mild stifle lameness may respond to rest, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or injections of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid to battle inflammation. The vet will discuss a timeframe after the rest period for resuming work with the focus on building conditioning. How do you help stifle problems in horses? For mild locked …
Can a horse recover from stifle lameness after arthroscopy?
1 day ago · Lameness Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness; ... it is not uncommon for a horse referred to us for a stifle injury to actually be suffering from a lameness that’s stemming from ...
What are the treatment options for lameness in the stifle?
Feb 06, 2012 · Many horses struggle with stifle dysfunction due to injury, surgery, immobility, or disease. According to Jennifer H. Brooks, PT, MEd (Masters of Education), of Equine Rehabilitation Services, in ...
How do you treat a stifle injury in horses?
Horses with a mild stifle lameness may respond to rest, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or injections of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid to battle inflammation. The vet will discuss a timeframe after the rest period for resuming work with the focus on building conditioning.May 17, 2021
How long does it take for a horse to recover from a stifle injury?
Treatment of Stifle Injuries in Horses In cases where the joint capsule is stretched and not ruptured, recovery can happen with 2-3 months of rest and a slow return to activity. When inflammation is present, intra-articular medication may be recommended.
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.Jan 25, 2016
How do you strengthen a weak stifle?
Walking and trotting in straight lines and over ground poles is commonly the first step. Tail pulls to the side can be used to strengthen the tensor facia latae. And cavaletti are eventually incorporated as well. Simple additions to care such as cold hosing and NSAIDS are often used to help progress the rehabilitation.Dec 29, 2019
What does stifle lameness look like?
In addition, the stifle-sore horse may exhibit common performance issues, such as stiffness, resistance to bending or picking up a particular lead, discomfort or unwillingness to go up or down hills, and drifting to one side when jumping. “You'll typically see the problem appear on the outside of the circle,” Dr.Oct 14, 2014
Can you ride a horse with stifle problems?
1 Mild cases may only cause slight lameness, and there are ways to make your horse sound again (often without invasive procedures). However, if left untreated, horses that display regular locking stifles may be unsafe to ride and require surgery.6 days ago
How do you massage a horse with a stifle?
2:103:15Horse Massage: Releasing Tension in the Hind End using the Masterson ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just have to barely hold on with your fingertips. And be careful and if you're not sure holdMoreYou just have to barely hold on with your fingertips. And be careful and if you're not sure hold them under the ankle or under the bulb of the heel. Like this safer way to do it.
How do you strengthen a horse's back end?
0:183:56HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR HORSE'S BACK? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that is just backing up a hill. No ideally this isn't the best you have a hill that graduallyMoreAnd that is just backing up a hill. No ideally this isn't the best you have a hill that gradually tapers off to flat at the top why that is is because you want it to get easier as they get to the top.
Why are my horses hips sunk in?
A horse with a sunken or shrunken flank or belly is known by horse people as being "drawn up". Normal healthy horses maintain a balance of water movement between intestinal contents and the bloodstream, depending upon their hydration.
How do you treat a stifle injury?
If it is indeed a soft-tissue injury, this may be all the treatment that’s needed. Sudden lameness with joint swelling often responds to rest, cold therapy (ice or cold water hosing), systemic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as phenylbutazone or topical anti-inflammatory medication.
How long does it take for a stifle injury to heal?
These injuries are caused by trauma, and can be localised to the ligament due to pain and swelling over the affected area. These can be further characterised with ultrasound. The prognosis for mild sprains of the ligaments is good with 4-6 weeks of rest and a further 4-6 weeks of controlled exercise.
What causes stifle problems in horses?
Stifle injuries can result from repetitive stress, trauma, excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration. Horses engaged in jumping and barrel racing are most at risk of these injuries.
How do you strengthen a weak stifle?
Walking and trotting in straight lines and over ground poles is commonly the first step. Tail pulls to the side can be used to strengthen the tensor facia latae. And cavaletti are eventually incorporated as well. Simple additions to care such as cold hosing and NSAIDS are often used to help progress the rehabilitation.
What causes a horse to drag his hind 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 long do stifle injections last?
Hock injections can be effective anywhere from 6-12 months. If your hock injections are only lasting 8-10 weeks, your horse may be a candidate for laser arthrodesis (surgical fusion).
What does stifle mean in horses?
The stifle is the area where the tibia (the bone that forms your horse’s gaskin) meets the femur (the bone that extends up to his hip) and it can be compared to our own knees – when you pick up a horse’s hind leg, the joint bends forwards, just as your knee does when you walk up stairs.
How do you check for stifle injury?
X-rays and ultrasound are the most useful techniques for diagnosing stifle problems, but bone scan, and in some large equine hospitals MRI and CT can also be used. The stifle is a high motion joint which is prone to injury at high speed or when jumping.
What causes stifle problems in horses?
Stifle injuries can result from repetitive stress, trauma, excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration. Horses engaged in jumping and barrel racing are most at risk of these injuries.
How do you strengthen a weak stifle?
Walking and trotting in straight lines and over ground poles is commonly the first step. Tail pulls to the side can be used to strengthen the tensor facia latae. And cavaletti are eventually incorporated as well. Simple additions to care such as cold hosing and NSAIDS are often used to help progress the rehabilitation.
Why does my horse drag his 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 long do stifle injections last?
Hock injections can be effective anywhere from 6-12 months. If your hock injections are only lasting 8-10 weeks, your horse may be a candidate for laser arthrodesis (surgical fusion).
Where is stifle on horse?
The stifle is the area where the tibia (the bone that forms your horse’s gaskin) meets the femur (the bone that extends up to his hip) and it can be compared to our own knees – when you pick up a horse’s hind leg, the joint bends forwards, just as your knee does when you walk up stairs.
Is the stifle a joint?
The stifle joint (often simply stifle) is a complex joint in the hind limbs of quadruped mammals such as the sheep, horse or dog. It is the equivalent of the human knee and is often the largest synovial joint in the animal’s body. The stifle joint joins three bones: the femur, patella, and tibia.
How to treat a stifle injury in a horse?
Treatment of Stifle Injuries in Horses. Once your veterinarian has diagnosed the stifle injury in your horse, treatment will vary based upon the specific injury or disease. Rest will be recommended in order to alleviate the swelling and provide the opportunity for the joint to begin to heal.
Why do horses have stifles?
Serious stifle injuries are often made more complicated due to fractures. Trauma to the stifle, the horse’s most complex joint, can lead to stifle injury; in addition, some horses experience developmental disorders of the stifle, which will impact them as foals or young horses. Protect yourself and your pet.
What is a stifle injury?
What are Stifle Injuries? The most complex joint in the horse is the stifle joint. The joint includes the kneecap and its ligaments, which give structural stability. Similar to the human knee, the stifle is located on the horse’s hind limbs.
What is the stifle joint?
Encircling the whole stifle joint is a thin capsule that has a special fluid that assists with shock absorption and lubrication. Certain ligaments that cause the leg to not bend too much in either direction are present inside and outside of the stifle.
What causes a stifle to swell?
These issues result from infection, bacteria or trauma. Sudden and severe onset with sudden and obvious lameness and swelling point to an acquired disease in the stifle.
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About The Author
Christy West has a BS in Equine Science from the University of Kentucky, and an MS in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What causes a stifle to swell?
These issues result from infection, bacteria or trauma. Sudden and severe onset with sudden and obvious lameness and swelling point to an acquired disease in the stifle.
What are some examples of developmental disorders in horses?
As the horse gets older and begins training, you will see swelling of the stifle and ongoing, low level lameness. Often the lameness and swelling will be very obvious with continuous exercise, and then decrease when activity is reduced. Examples of developmental disorders include osteochondritis dissecans, subchondral bone cysts and patellar luxation.
Can Waylon use x-rays?
Thank you for your email. Waylon could probably use a set of x-rays to evaluate his stifle. Your veterinarian will be able to examine him, take x-rays if needed, and give him any treatment that he may need.
