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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
 
Location: MI. | I have a horse with this fault and her stride has shortened along with her having issues descending hills. She acts like she hurts. She's thirteen and I'm guessing she may have some arthritis issues. I plan on putting her on a joint supplement. Would support boots help as well? I really would like to get some more rides with her......at least for a while. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376
Location: Missouri | Are you sure your ready for the ensuing falls? That is a conformation deformity that can totally disable them at a younger than normal age.
I'd ask myself. Do I really want to take the chance on a major fall as a result, before considering supplements, aid etc. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | You have a valid point..........She's such a great mare. I guess it's time to pasture her. I knew this would be an issue but the "time" to deal with it and accept it as well came quicker than expected. 
Edited by Gone 2008-05-17 12:40 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Danielsville Georgia | More info on calf knees? Please and Thank you. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-3029.pdf |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | Just a thought...Have you looked carefully at how she is shod? Sometimes horses who look calf-kneed are actually protecting their hooves when they hurt. I guess it's less painful when their knees are set back. If she's not shod, maybe get a recommendation on some of the boots like Old Macs(my favorite), Boas, Easy Boots, etc. Good luck! She sounds like a nice mare, but don't take the chance she could fall. Maybe retirement or flat work would be best for now...no more hills. |
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Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Keymar,Maryland | Calf-kneed is a flexural deformity. Becuse of this compressive forces in the front of the knee result in bony lesions in front and behind the knee you get elongation forces resulting in soft tissue lesions. Proper shoeing protocal is to bring breakover way back ( like a rockered and rolled toe, or a properly set Natural Balance shoe) as well as providing a good support for the back of the hoof ( the goal is to move the entire support base back). Boots, IMO would be counterproductive over barefoot as they invariably move breakover out further and even modifying them to add breakover still falls well short of good application of shoes.If left barefoot keeps those heels trimmed and a good rocker in observance of how the foot breaks over.Yes the horse is becoming arthritic and supplements may help a little but the best course is to remediate the effects of the deformity, easing stress on the joints.Regular hoofcare is very essential in these cases as getting just a little long in the toe or heels underrun will really stress the joints. Rich |
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Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Keymar,Maryland | Here's an illustration:http://www.horseshoes.com/anatomy/equistar/gallery/forelimbkneefaultslateral.htm I would not rush to say this horses career is over. Just needs a little help.Rich |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | Thank you, and I've been thinking. I believe retiring her is for the best. She did fall last year on a ride and it definately was a red flag. Because it was so cold for so long over last winter, she did have a difficult time walking and turning periodically. I honestly have never seen her that stiff and sore. Supplements and boots, I know in the back of my mind would only be buying time to a degree. She's taken me many miles including a cross state ride.....I needed to hear other comments and I thank you. Well, we've all had a horse turned out to pasture at one point or another in our lives. I'm going to miss riding her. I'm going to miss connecting with her on that level. Now she's going to get lots of carrots and pampering! She has more than earned it!
Edited by Gone 2008-05-19 9:48 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Keymar,Maryland | I disagree about putting her out to pasture just yet. A skilled farrier can reduce the impacts of this problem ( not cure). Whats going on is the tendons and ligaments are having trouble keeping the knee straight with the downward push of the horses weight.There is also arthrosis at the front of the knee due to compressive forces. Fatigue amplifies the issue. You did not say how long you had been riding before she tripped ( 1hr, 3hrs, steep terrain, etc.) Often with ligament and tendon problems with time fibrous tissue becomes cartilage. I would try a course of backing down the intensity of the work, and regular light exercise slowly increasing. This is especially important with horses that are pasture puffs M-F and weekend trail riders. Regular light to moderate work coupled with good footcare may extend the trail ride life of your horse. You may be suprised. Rich |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | I look at her and see.........it is time for "her" time and that is just fine with me. I'm thinking if I were to squeeze that extra amount from her, she wouldn't have a decent retirement. Gosh, I love that mare........and it's OK. |
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Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Keymar,Maryland | Originally written by Gone on 2008-05-19 10:27 PM
I look at her and see.........it is time for "her" time and that is just fine with me. I'm thinking if I were to squeeze that extra amount from her, she wouldn't have a decent retirement. Gosh, I love that mare........and it's OK. I understand but, in retirement these conditions may get worse rapidly without a little forced exercise. It's hard to see things that way but keeping them going sometimes is best for their own good. Rich |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069
Location: MI. | I never looked at it that way. I'm afraid to ride her. I sent this mare's daughter to my trainer and she came up lame. After being vet checked Monday, they dicovered an OCD lesion in her stifle. A piece of bone broke off. I didn't push her growth so they believe it's more genetic. Surgery at MSU will make her more comfortable but riding her...........What are the odds? Oh, this mare doesn't have mama's knees. I guess even when you do your homework before breeding you just never know. It just breaks my heart.
Edited by Gone 2008-05-21 6:04 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA | Boy, sorry about her foal too! I know somewhat how you feel. I bought a really nice mare several years ago with the intention of breeding her. She's pretty sensitive in a mare-ish way, but not bad. Other than that, she's beautiful, has wonderful movement, and great conformation...pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Found a great stallion, but she couldn't keep a fetus. She retains fluid, then gets an infection...3 miscarriages, so now I just look at my "perfect" broodmare in the pasture. |
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Calf Knees
