What is the best treatment for stifle injuries 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 tell if your horse has a stifle problem?
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.
How do I know if my horse needs a stifle shot?
To definitively indicate the stifle as the problem center, your veterinarian will want to perform a thorough lameness exam, feeling for thickened ligaments, swelling, bone spurs and other palpable clues on the stifle, and then do flexion tests, in which he holds the limb flexed for 60 to 90 seconds and then your horse …
How do you unlock a stifle horse?
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 does a stifle do for a horse?
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. When properly working, the stifle allows the horse to be stable as well as smoothly move forward.
Are there new ways to heal horse stifle injuries?
Diagnosis and treatment of injuries in this complex joint of the horse have never been easier, thanks to advances in research and technology. Diagnosis and treatment of injuries in this complex joint of the horse have never been easier, thanks to advances in research and technology.
Why are dressage horses at risk for stifle injuries?
Dressage horses, who do not perform at speed like jumpers and eventers, may also be susceptible to stifle injuries because the requirements of their sport necessitate bending and rotating their upper bodies, which can also place the stifle joint at risk. But it isn’t only equine athletes whose stifles are at risk of injury.
When does a locked stifle in a horse go away?
Locked stifle is common in growing horses and often goes away once their muscles are fully developed. Monitor your horse to make sure that the condition doesn’t worsen, and adapt its exercise schedule to avoid injury. Start a targeted exercise program.
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,…
What are the symptoms of equine strangles?
Signs of strangles. The signs vary between mild to severe and are not always typical. A horse suffering from strangles will typically have a temperature (above 38.5°C), depression with a loss of appetite and thick, yellow mucus draining from both nostrils.