Horse pulled a stifle?

Question

Has anyone ever had a horse who pulled a stifle? And if so, how long does it usually take to heal? My horse has arthritis in his hock, and recently had it injected to get the fluid out because it was causing him discomfort obviously, but even after the injection he seem sore on his back end, but it seems to be pin-pointed in his hip area. I took him for a ride about a week after the injection, and he was tripping frequently (which he never does), felt like he was on the wrong lead at the canter, and felt like his body was "snaking" when walking downhill. Almost like his front end was moving one way and his back end the other way. So since then, I've stayed off of him to allow him to rest, figuring maybe his hock was still sore. But I'm starting to think the pain is coming from the hip region.

I'm just wondering if this is the case of maybe stifle problems, how long does it usually take to heal?

Answer 1

I'd keep him off hills until you get this figured out.  If you think he has a stifle injury, you need a vet to confirm that...it could be arthritic, or a muscle pull, or a problem with the patella like subluxation. Sometimes if one joint is challenged, other joints above or below it can be overstressed as a result.

Answer 2

My horse took two weeks to heal enough he could move around pretty OK.  However I thin he acted a little weak in that leg for another week or two.

My horse stiffled himself by rolling over into the corner of the stall and getting into a position where he could not get back up.  He must have kicked himself out.  The next morning he was so stiff he could barely walk and his back leg kept locking.  I called the neighbor over and he immediately told me what it was and how he did it (his dad was an old time vet for years).  Sure enough when we got to the stall we could see where the kick mark was.

In your horses case I would guess arthritis not stifles.

Answer 3

honestly it could take months for this horse to heal well.. But it sounds like you have a lot of work to do... I would absolutely recommend turning the horse out in a pasture, so that he can get some GENTLE exercise to his limbs, and cantering him a lot less... I would also reccomend that you immediately seek out an equestrian chiropractor... I'm willing to bet that because of his other problems, the horse has some low back issues that the vet may have missed, which is causing the "snaking" that you describe... Try a 30 minute consult with a horse chiro... your horse will certainly thank you for it :)

And good luck with you freind.

Answer 4

Find a good equine chiropractor in your area.

When one part of your horse is sore he will compensate with another, just as you would if your ankle or knee is sore.  This compensation often causes soreness in another body part, your hip his stifle, or the back.  A good chiropractor can assist you with pinpointing the pain.

When a stifle locks the hind leg will stiffen and drag behind the animal.  The best course of treatment with a stifle issue is slow hill work (in hand is best) trotting over poles and raised poles to help condition the muscle.  The WORST thing to do is stall rest.

Answer 5

It might be his arthrist is worse and the bone is rubbing more and causing him pain.  It might be worth it to have the vet out to do an exam.  You can rest him and give him a little bute.  Make sure you hand walk him plenty so he does not get stiff.  Also if you have a small padock and do not think he will run then he should be fine outside.  I had a horse slip in the winter and hurt his stiffle.  The vet told me to let him still move around or else he would get stiff.  Also with arthritis it is good for them to move around.  

I would maybe wait one more week with him being on rest and if nothing improves I would have the vet out.  

He could trip with you riding and end up falling over on you.  It would not be intentional but I have heard of it happening.  So be careful and I hope your horse gets better

Answer 6

My pony has arthritis and they are symptoms of it tripping and stumbling!!!! so i think its only arthritis!!!  But be careful cantering as i was doing that on my arthritic horse and he fell on me i was VERY luck i didn't get seriously injured!!!

sorry a bit extra but if you get him back into work by small riding sessions and it should help the stiffness if it is a pulled stifle!!!!! so he should be as right as rein soon!!!!

for arthritis too the vets can do a test called the flection test!!! to test how bad it is which will give u a good guide on what 2 do!!