My mare's joints are popping????

Question

I have a 4 year old mare that is in perfect health, but when i lounge or ride her sometimes her joints will make a popping sound and she will occasionally trip on her left hind. It just kind of gives way when she is going into a downward transition from a trot to a walk. I am not sure if it is a joint problem or something else and i am just trying to see if anyone has any ideas of what the problem could be? She is only 4 and has been under saddle for about a year. She hasn't had any lameness issues other than an abcess on her right front about a year and a half ago, which healed in a week or so. I was also thinking about putting her on a joint supplement. If you have any ideas on what kind, i would really appreciate it!

Answer 1

This is one time that I wouldn't attempt to self diagnose or self medicate...as it can be something quite simple to something very serious, needing a vets observation and opinion (You won't hear me say that often, but this time, it is appropriate, call your vet)  if you can trailer your horse into the vet, it will be less expensive, if that is an issue...but I wouldn't ride her again until the vet had a look at her...

Answer 2

if it were me, i would call the vet and get his/her opinion. it worth risking a vet bill if he/she wants to check on her to make sure she is okay because if something goes wrong, its likely to get worse. and she is too young to risk it with. I mean, if it was an old horse, it wouldnt surprise me with all the time for something to get injured, but at four, there is too much to loose.

Answer 3

IF it's her stiffle, you can check this rather easily.  Pick up that bad leg/hoof and if she picks it up HIGH and WIDE then it's her stiffle.

If not then might be her "catch muscle" and then time to call the vet and make sure it is.  It seems to be something that they outgrow, but still a pain where a pill won't reach to have to live with it.

Answer 4

i'd have her x-rayed. if i had to guess i'd say it's something in her stifle. stifle's are difficult to "fix".

diagnosing the problem sooner than later will cost you some money now, but prevent much bigger vet bills over the next few years. if something's popping, it's just going to wear down and get so much worse.

Answer 5

Thats really weird. Dont do any thing with her untill you talk to a vet, call a vet right now and tell he/she every thing about it.

Good luck!

Answer 6

The  sound you hear is her tendon sheaths. Her tendons slide through these tubes called tendon sheaths, when the tendon catches on the sheath it makes a popping sound. You have no reason to panic or even call a vet. She will not go lame because of this nor will it effect her. A joint supplement would only cause the body to produce more synovial fluid in her joints and your problem is not in the joints.

Hope that helps