Admin Can a horse recover from stifle injury?
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 long does it take for a stifle injury to heal?
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 can I help my horse with stifle problems?
Treatment. For mild locked stifle cases, exercise and a balanced hoof trim may help your horse. Lack of fitness may cause weak muscles and ligaments, so simply conditioning your horse can sometimes help solve the stifle problem. 2 For severe locking, ask your farrier to “rocker,” or roll, the toe of the hoof.
How do you know if your horse has a stifle problem?
Horses with stifle problems are going to be lame in the hind end. The lameness can be on one or both sides, depending on if one or both stifles are affected. Usually the stifle joint will be swollen and possibly painful but not always.
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.
What is a slipping stifle?
If the ligament gets hung up and doesn’t slip into an unlocked position, the hind leg can’t be flexed forward and the horse has to drag the stiffened limb forward for a few steps before the ligament releases. This is commonly known as a locking or sticking stifle.