Three 4 Luck - 2014-05-12 4:03 PM  Most vets will do both sides even if only one is showing symptoms. I've actually had even better results from PRP than from a blister. When rehabbing, I have been told to do lots of walking and loping in the beginning because trotting is harder on stifles.  No circles of any kind until your fitness is where you want it, and anything that makes them work the muscles around the stifle without torquing it is a good thing, just use common sense and build up to it. Hills, ground poles then cavaletti. Pulling a tire or log is supposed to be good as well but I've never done it.  While turnout is ideal, being stalled isn't terrible as long as you're riding every day. 

Just Bring It - 2014-05-12 4:10 PM Everything I have read has said to stay away from loping for awhile and to do lots of walking and trotting to help build strength. Like I said she can hardly lope in the right lead (bunny hops in the hind). I have done a little bit of ground poles and some hill work.



Would shoes on the back help any? I like to keep my horses barefoot as much as possible but she is such a baby and needs front shoes. I read on another forum that someone said what really helped her horse was when she shod his back feet. She said that made a huge difference. Any other experience with this??

CBGalaxy - 2014-05-12 4:26 PM I just wanted to add that I wouldn't have shoes just on the front. Either do all four so they are balanced or not at all. That can cause more unbalanced movement and more issues. If your horse is sore after a trim make sure your farrier is not taking any live tissue. Leave the frog and calluses alone. Boots are great to help with the transition if you think you absolutely must have something. Once I got my horses turned out they were not foot sore anymore. It was only when they were standing in a stall and not moving like they should. I'd recommend having a barefoot trimmer out to consult with vs. a regular farrier.

CBGalaxy - 2014-05-12 4:21 PM I second everything the above poster said! My mare had some issues with her stifle as well, or intermittent upper fixation of the patella. This is what I did to get rid of the issue: Turn out only, no stalling. It doesn't have to be acres and acres. I have a sand arena. Regular riding schedule. Don't let them get out of shape or stand around too long. Especially if they are in a stall. GAIN WEIGHT - I had to double her hay and add Total Equine to get her to where she should be. I had her on Platinum CJ which is great for the joint and inflammation, but she needed more feed. She looked "racy" from the day I bought her, but now she finally looks like a quarter horse. I also had her boarded for the first year where she sat in a stall unless I was there. They fed, and I had no control over the amount of hay she got. BAD COMBO. Now she is turned out and WAY bigger. I wasn't sure that she could actually look like she does now. I don't know why the vets didn't stress this more. When you research it you will find a lot more on being the correct healthy weight though. CHECK YOUR HOOVES. I took the shoes off and went straight barefoot with a knowledgeable trimmer. She had high heels, boarding on white line, and was tender footed. When you start learning about how hooves work and what shoes do to them it all made sense. She has badass rock crushers now and races barefoot no problem. This also seemed to make a big difference in her movement. I was not using a cheap backyard farrier either! Trail rides, trotting over poles, going in straight lines. NO little circles/lunging/round pen/roll backs until things get better They should be filled out over the stifle area. If it looks concave your horse needs more weight/muscle and that will help A LOT. The more that it catches the more you should be concerned about inflammation. Addressing that is very important too. It took me a while but my mare is good and back to running! No surgery, blistering etc. Your worst enemy is a stall, no exercise and being underweight. Good luck! I know it is frustrating!