Re: Locking fetlock joint

["Maggie Mieske" <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

This sounds like "stifle" in which not the fetlock but the stifle (the hind
leg's "knee") is locking up.  It may appear to be the fetlock but your
description of how the mare picks her leg up so high sounds like a stifle. 
A young horse may outgrow this condition though I am not certain what the
prognosis would be for an older horse.  I think I have heard there might be
a surgery though I am not certain how it's done.  good luck to your friend!
Maggie

----------
> From: Vallonelee@aol.com
> To: Ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: RC:  Locking fetlock joint
> Date: Monday, August 02, 1999 9:16 PM
> 
> 
> 
> I am writing this for a friend in an attempt to get her some help with
her 
> horse.  She has a 6-7 year old mustang mare that she has owned since the
age 
> of 18 months.  The mare has been well cared for since then with plenty of

> turn out in a pasture of a few acres.  The mare foaled 8 months ago and
after 
> separating the two, the owner began a program of LSD with the thought of 
> attempting a LD at the end of the year.  The mare was used throughout her

> pregnancy and was ponied at the end to maintain light conditioning.  She
was 
> then ridden lightly while ponying the foal.
> 
> The problems started about a month ago when my friend took her mare from
the 
> stall to go for a ride.  The mare's right hindfoot was dragging.  I
happened 
> to witness this recently and it appears that the fetlock joint is locking

> after the hoof leaves the ground and is in its forward arc, causing the
hoof 
> to drop and the toe to drag into the ground.  She then picks the leg up
very 
> high and stiff in order to clear the ground with her hoof.  
> 
> She did have the horse evaluated by Gilbert Equine Hospital but, of
course, 
> the mare was not showing these symptoms when she was there.  They
performed 
> x-rays (of both legs for comparison) and felt the mare might have some
type 
> of muscle strain.  She was sent home with instructions for plenty of
warm-up 
> and cool-down.  Also to walk some gentle hills to strengthen the area.  
> 
> Just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this and has any
insight.
> 
> Thanks for your help. 
> 
> Lee and Boogie, Bravo and Kaci (who is featured on page 16 of the new
Trail's 
> End catalog - what a cutie).  
> 
> 
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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=