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Post by janet on Apr 13, 2007 12:58:46 GMT -5
There is a chance that Soxey (under Quarter Horses) may have a stifle problems. We've been deligently working on correcting her feet-previous owner ran her feet of of her so she had no heels and bruised soles. Now she seems stiff in her gait in the hind end-almost a short clipped stride. She was "slapping" her hind feet down when she walked. That's a little better with the hoof trims. Marcia noticed that she doesn't want to bend the hind legs at the knees. Some articles I've read have said excerise at a steady trot for up to 25minutes a day 5-7 days a week to try and strenghten the muscles and tendons. Has anyone delt with this kind of problem and have suggestions?
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Post by Admin on Apr 13, 2007 16:06:56 GMT -5
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Post by wendyp on Apr 13, 2007 16:46:41 GMT -5
Just another thought - my 23 year old Paint gelding pulled back from a horse trailer, sat down like a dog, and tore his hamstring. This was probably 5 years ago. He does the 'short-strided, slap the hoof on the ground' kind of walk, but only on the left side where he tore the hamstring. He also does not lift his hind legs up for the farrier -never has, even before the hamstring incident. So my farrier just does his feet down low. My gelding doesn't seem to be in any pain, and when he is being ridden, the awkward feel of his gait lessons as he 'warms up'. We never really worked him to see if the slapping would go away - it didn't really matter to us, so I don't know if that will work or not....................I wonder if stretching the hind legs would help? My gelding does not like traditional chiro work......but I have a new chiro that does a more gentle version, so I might try him again.
WendyP/Bend, OR
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Post by janet on Apr 13, 2007 17:40:27 GMT -5
Thank you both PEC and wendyp. I'm not concerned with the slapping feet, just want to make sure Soxey's not in pain and it doesn't bother her to be ridden. I'll check out the websites PEC.
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Post by Tate on Apr 13, 2007 22:15:48 GMT -5
Ginger had a stifle injury when she came to me, she drug her back foot and braced it under her body while standing, my Vet diagnosis was a stifle injury, after about 6 months it got better with good trims, exersizing up and down the hills in our pasture.
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Post by caryn on Apr 14, 2007 3:28:58 GMT -5
The stifle is a very complex area, lots of ligaments, tendons, and joints. The appropriate treatment will depend on the actual injury. I suggest getting a vet to look at it a.s.a.p. While many stifle problems can be resolved through pasture rest, others will not resolve and can be exacerbated by pasture rest. Others (bone chips or spurs) will not get better with pasture rest, but may not get worse. Some stifle injuries require regular exercise and concentrated hill work to strengthen ligaments and tendons, but you NEED to have a vet prescribe the exercise because it could be the opposite of what you should be doing. My boy needed stall/paddock rest. His movement needed to be limited, not promoted. Diagnosis is the key. The only advice I can give is to get a good vet to look at him and advise on the need for x-rays and ultrasounds. Once you get the pictures, you can be sure that you are helping rather than hurting.
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