And while, the choice of such therapies seems to depend mostly on the opinions of the prescribing veterinarian(s), there is little scientific evidence to suggest that any of them make a significant difference in outcomes. The horse had to do 6 months complete box rest, followed by walking in hand for gradually longer periods. The duration of She is very happy by all accounts ( don't think she ever loved polo anyway!). You have to put safety first, she says. You veterinarian will first do a physical examination and a lameness evaluation of your equine, then, based on what he finds on physical and lameness exams, he will likely need to enlist the aid of several imaging techniques to arrive at his diagnosis: After these imaging techniques have provided their insight, your veterinarian will put together the total package which will include his findings, taking into consideration the location, severity, the age of the horse, the clinical signs, the duration of the disease and the expectations of the owner. Inject the stifle joint with the new Veterinary treatment (Veterinary Opinion received this week advised that this treatment only lasts about 6 weeks and is not a cure.). Although it can be difficult to understand the anatomy of the stifle joint, it is essential for diagnosing and treating any problems it may present. Whereas previously, stifles never got much attention unless there was an obvious problem, now, at least in certain circles, there a lot of horses that get needles stuck into their stifle joints with somewhat alarming regularity. stifle surgery. It showed that a certain percentage developed arthritis of the joint later. The end goal is to determine how to optimize the horse's performance without masking any problems. carrying the quarters in or out in both directions. As you flex the joints, help the horse maintain his balance by keeping the lower leg toward the midline and the horse's weight centered over the supporting leg. My mare is having surgery this Thursday. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. David Ramey, DVM One thought is that a lack of fitness in the thigh muscles may be the cause, but not all unfit horses have the . An incorrect angle of the back hooves by the Farrier, Being ridden constantly flexed off or lacking straightness, Poor Conformation (straight behind riding Ponies, Arabs, etc. I find that a little hard to accept. Sometimes when something wrong can be found in one or more of the three joints that make up the equine stifle, surgery may be recommended, for example, for treatment of conditions such as osteochondrosis (OCD) or tears of the meniscus. When your horse experiences a locked stifle, gently guide it into a position that will unlock it. Each stretch should be held for 10 to 20 seconds initially. Knee surgery TPLO, TTA; Our Team. Baxter says that if the tear is located in an area that you can access surgically, it may be possible to debride or suture the affected areas. you horse has a problem there, of courseit can be somewhat disheartening to return to full performance after surgery. However, they dont usually fill in with normal bone. Sorry thought I had but been having a tough time lately so didn't explain correctly. He's happy right now and it would feel cruel to put him down when he's happy in life. We completely agree. Conformation plays a huge part in determining whether a horse is prone to such problems. 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Go. We found a lower incidence of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (a condition known as roaring) in our standingthyroidectomy patients than has previously been reported in patients lying down under general anesthesia, he says. Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with, If you are interested in adopting this horse, please submit an Adoption Inquiry via AAE's website; No texts please: allaboutequine, Horse breeding from planning through foal care, Horse-health-problem risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, Design and maintain a healthy horse operation, Prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot, How to care for the basic health needs of horses, Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness, Proper feeding practices for foals, adult horses, and older horses, All aspects of caring for performance horses, News and issues for equine health professionals, Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends. However, the most difficult area in the horses body is the weight-bearing medial femoral-tibial joint. This joint is very important for overall horse functioning, as you can likely tell. ASIDE: Just so as to keep things confusing, the joint that most people call the horses knee is analogous to the human wrist. This is usually the case in medicine, by the way. When the horse goes to move, this patella ligament must unfasten, allowing the patella to 'unlock' and the stifle and hock to flex. If youre interested in medicine, riding, training, or any number of equestrian topics, please check out their website. Ive known some who wont do standing procedures anymore because theyve had their own femurs fractured by an uncooperative patient, she says. A general lack of correct exercise in horses. Changing sides to please the Rider and being correct on the normally bad side but late on the good side. The medial Femoral Tibial Joint is the innermost, while the lateral Femoral Tibiaal Joint is the outer. When things get boring and repetitive, we move on to our next big adventure. Developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) in horses is the umbrella under which osteochondrosis falls. She recorded it on the ultrasound and we saw pictures of it so those things will get removed from that joint. You can have problems if you remove the contents surgically. Required fields are marked *. This can be done using ultrasound, radiographs or both. you dont often see this kind of follow-up in veterinary medical studies, it is Frisbie says, It might sound silly but the stifle can be exciting.We have so much knowledge about the other joints, they are boring and repetitive now. If he retires so be it, but I think she thinks it's worse than it actually is. The study also tried to see if they could predict factors that would make it more likely than not that a horse would return to full performance after surgery. a different article. That looks like a problem. But the horse stopped making sound in a different joint. I am fine with retiring him, I'd rather not but will if that's what's best for him and he'll never be sold no matter what. Jun 2004. Including the 3 month check it cost . The stifle seems to have also become the subject of a lot more attention than in years past. Equivalent to the human knee, the stifle is controlled by some of the most powerful muscles in the horse's hindquarters and is subject to tremendous stress forces. I think these are really important, if it comes to you trying to make a decision for your horse. Sometimes, that means that we can even provide effective treatments. Here is one such horse. Stifle injuries can result from repetitive stress, trauma, excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration. Why your horse does what he (or she) does. Which makes a recent JavaScript is disabled. Without this, all treatment is pointless. Surgery to cut the ligaments attached to the patella bone. Its similar to the role of ball bearings as mechanics. He's always been like that, he'll headshake with just one tooth being slightly sharp. Surgery is recommended for horses that have recurring problems with locking stifle. 3.94 . Theres just no comparison, he says. were partial thickness lesions of the cartilage noted at the time of surgery, Outpatient Facility Average: $25,100. Its a procedure that generally leads to fewer complications, more successful results, and/or quicker discharge and recovery, she adds. We can inject the stafle as we would any other joint and we do it often. For an appointment: 614-292-6661, ext. It is appropriately known as 'upward fixation of the patella' or horse locking stifle. Reg. Its analogous to the human knee joint. This problem can come in varying severity and this can dictate what actions a horse will take in an attempt to rectify the problem. Lesions are often bilateral and probably develop in the . Radiography will only show you bone problems, while ultrasound will show soft tissue. As he aged he got OCD lesion's. For a couple of seasons we had his hocks injected and the vet did a sonar wave treatment the was supposed to break up the lesions. The stifle, which is where the tibia (bone that forms the gaskin) meets the femur (bone that extends upwards to the hip), is called the stifle. This gives horses some discomfort although Veterinary opinion says that there is little or no pain associated with it. He took care of you. This means there was 1500 of other costs (care, hospital, drugs etc). App. Stretching. interleukin1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), intra-articular No, my horse is a challenge during trims and needs more training. In that study, only 13 of 44 horses (37%) returned to their previous level of performance after stifle surgery. needles stuck into their stifle joints with somewhat alarming regularity. When youre trying to previously, stifles never got much attention unless there was an obvious Others are happy to try the standing technique and get used to things being so different for themcompared to a recumbent surgery., In exceptional cases, standing surgery can be more dangerous for the veterinarian than recumbent surgery, says Fontenot. If there is a problem, it will need to be addressed as soon as possible to avoid permanent injury. While the findings from this study arent particularly optimistic, I think that they are really important. The it joint is the stifle, and for good reason.The stifle is one of the most important and complex parts of the horses body and has received increased attention from researchers, joint experts, and front-line veterinarians in recent years. From this, and other studies, one can reasonably conclude that the prognosis for full return to athletic function after stifle surgery is really quite guarded. Posts: 3864. X-Ray is highly crucial however. Dr. David Ramey is a 1983 graduate of the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ramey is a vocal advocate for the application of science to medicine, andas suchfor the welfare of the horse. The prognosis of your horse should be relatively good, again, dependent upon the severity of the lesion and extent of any damage done to the subchondral bone. several different imaging techniques. Oh, there are many There are all sorts of very appealing Finally, for all of As curious veterinarians embrace the latest technologies, what was once a daunting propositiondiagnosing and treating injuries to the jointis becoming achievable, and maybe one day, even routine. However, the horses stifle is quite a bit different from the human knee. Chip from knee removed in 2007 = $2300. This is because they rarely work them and never ride them. Baxter says that a horse can slip in the paddock and pull a ligament. And when the horse moved, I thought, Yep. However, we have not recognized this type of injury in horses. Manage Settings 18. Joined. David Ramey, DVM, is available for appointments, consultations, or lectures. The prognosis of your horse should be relatively good, again, dependent upon the severity of the lesion and . If the horse deals with chronic issues, the typical injection of HA (hyaluronic acid), a type of steroid, may be administered, costing around $175. Baxter says that these cysts are caused by concussive forces. So my horse is getting both of his stifles operated on soon. In fact, make sure you understand whats wrong with your horse and what the chances of a good outcome are before you decide to do ANY treatment for your horse. Posted by Christa Lest-Lasserre, MA | May 26, 2020 | Article, Back and Spine, Castration & Gelding, Fractures, Horse Care, Lameness, Ligament & Tendon Injuries, Other Eye Problems, Other Veterinary Technologies, Pain Management, Recovering from Injury & Surgery, Vet and Professional. suspected, older horses have a decreased chance of returning to their previous Frisbie says, I began using this scope to examine stifles around three years ago.Frisbie says, Now I can see inside the horses while theyre still standing and see injuries which arent visible on radiographs.This allows us to diagnose horses earlier, and the changes to the joints are much less severe and manageable. Patient visits by appointment. The simple Veterinary description for this is something like the momentary locking of the patella or knee bone as it crosses back and forth over the joint. Both at the equine hospital by Los Alamitos. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. lame, the less the chance that he would return to his previous level of Its rare, but it can happen. The horse wont look back.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'justformyhorse_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_15',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-justformyhorse_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'justformyhorse_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_16',121,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-justformyhorse_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-2-multi-121{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. From simple castrations to more complex procedures such as ovary removal and repair of simple fractures, researchers are recognizing the benefits of standing surgeries and, say our sources, pursuing them more frequently. This is the classic equine surgery scenario, which is necessary for most colic cases and a variety of other procedures. ECVS, equine surgery specialist at the Grosbois Equine Clinic, in Boissy Saint Lger, France. sadly, only 32 of the 82 horsesapproximately 39%returned to their intended Trouble with Flying Changes training, including bouncing in the air to get free one side. Insist upon the horse engaging and carrying its weight on the inside hind leg. Most commonly, this was seen as upward fixation of the patella (knee cap), where the horses leg would get stuck; that is, it couldnt bend because the patella slipped out of its groove and was clamped in place by one of the three ligaments of the horses kneecap. But certainly the standing surgeries dont seem any less successful., These procedures do run a specific risk, however: contamination. I had a horse operated on for a bone cyst in the stifle many years ago now. It is one of the strongest and most well-supported joints and is actually three separate jointsthe medial femoro-tibial joint, the lateral femoro-tibial joint and the femoro . Here are facts. A stifle injury could prevent you from riding your horse. Youre probably familiar with sticking or locking stifles. The Fax: (818) 885-7737. Baxter says that acute stifle injuries will often have swelling or effusion. . The treatment plan recommended by your veterinarian will, of course, depend on the results of the diagnostic portion of the evaluation. pretty common for horse owners to be asked to invest in a bunch of different Stifle surgery cost. This option would likely be advantageous for those wishing to offer the horse for sale since the presence of an osteochondrotic lesion would most likely reduce the expected sale price. (This is another difference for horsesthey have three patellar ligaments whereas humans just get one big patellar tendon). for a lot of other things. However, the horses stifle is quite a bit different from the human knee. And, in regard to money, the researchers analyzed the treatments given after surgery, to see if there was any association between the treatments given and a return to athletic performance. Performing most kinds of surgeries understanding sedation can be less expensive than employing general anesthesia. Even so, the reduced risk of complications and higher success rate of certain standing surgeries can translate into economic advantages for the owner, even when the initial procedure price is the same, Rossignol says. The stifle joint is, of course, in the horses hind leg. For what it's worth, that's pretty much the same thing that another study of 44 horses, done in 2009, found. The stifle is considered the most complex joint in the horse's body with a similar function to the human knee. just about anywhere in the horses body. Your experience with dogs might not apply to horses: ACL injuries in dogs can be degenerative with partial tears. Follow-up is one of the things that distinguished this study from most all of the others. STIFLE PROBLEMS, THEIR RESULTS & TREATMENT. Join us as we interview leading equine researchers from the University of Kentucky, Problem Solver Series: How to Control Nuisance Birds on Horse Properties. If radiographs and ultrasound have been completed, but the veterinarian still needs to see more, arthroscopy may be an option. THE stifle is a hard-working joint with a large range of motion, which connects the horse's thigh and crus (lower limb) regions. I may even get my horse back to ride, so it's a chance I'm willing to take. In that study, only 13 of 44 horses (37%) returned to their previous level of performance after stifle surgery. That’s as good as good news can be in your situation , all the best for the future . After surgery, its pretty common for horse owners to be asked to invest in a bunch of different products to help with their recovery. These treatments will likely be used for those young horses having mild disease. Anesthesia equipment hums as the surgical team works efficiently and expertly in their various roles to complete a procedure. Dr. David Rameyis a 1983 graduate of the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Throwing the head in the air for relief..and, The more collection demanded, the more distressed the Horse gets, including snapping back legs like with stringhalt, Bouncing along on the back legs like a Kangaroo, Rear end action just too good for normal Show Jumper. Veterinary prescribed anti inflammatory drugs for a period with work. There is but it's just not as bad as before. Posted 2016-07-25 9:34 PM. As with any joint, injections, supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful in controlling arthritis of the stifle. For example, the stifle joint is actually made up of three separate joints. Stifle lesions as compared to hock and fetlock lesions, Lesions having osteochondral fragmentation. I have no idea other than it will be in excess of the 1800 you have left but the vets will give you a quote before he goes in and if they know it is not covered by insurance they should give a fixed price that, unless something unexpected happens, they will stick to, it may also be worth getting a couple of other practices to quote as they can vary with charges and as you are not using your own vets there is no reason not to shop around. This sudden severe lameness can be confused with a broken leg or pus in the foot. He says that this number has increased by two to fourfold when stem cell therapy was added to the surgery. protect cartilage, provide building blocks for cartilage, etc.) To answer the Microfracture: This procedure is utilized for more significant full-thickness cartilage injuries less than 2 cm in size, in older, lower-demand patients. Of course, we plan for that and try to help them avoid it, but you cant always control it.. He says that there are some stifle issues that show up early in life as the horse is reluctant to work. The stifle is located at the upper hind limb of the . You must first identify which area of the stifle was damaged and diagnose the cause before deciding to ride your horse. His focus is surgery and lameness. My Vet's charges for X-rays . In a recent study of 252 stifle joints in 161 horses, follow-up information was available for 134 horses. We warn owners that we might have to switch to general anesthesia to finish up if the horse is uncomfortable or reacting strongly.. The job description of horses can greatly impact their risk of suffering stifle injuries. Your email address will not be published. Frisbie explained that the problem with blocking specific joints is that they can communicate, so one joint can also affect the others. For horses with meniscal injuries in the stifles (i.e., to the "pillows" of cartilage that cushion the . Straight supple Round Over the Back From behind In other words, PROPER DRESSAGE!!!! Your email address will not be published. The femoropatellar joint is . The study also tried to see if they could barrelracinbroke. People used to think it was inhumane but, generally speaking, theyre better off standing sedated than lying down under general anesthesia.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Finally, if there were partial thickness lesions of the cartilage noted at the time of surgery, the chance that the horse would successfully return to work decreased. I think you are mad! (I know that doesnt add up to but while the rationale for the use of such therapies may be completely good, The stifle is the largest and most complex joint in the horse and, as such, it is an important cause of hindlimb lameness. Some surgeons have a set system and large staff to assist them, says Suarez-Fuentes. Wrapping or bandaging of the limb may be required postoperatively for a specific period of time. We are more able to diagnose and treat the problem. Virtually any joint in the horse's skeletal system can develop OCD. 11 June 2018 #31. Depending on risk factors, the chances that your horse will do well may be even less. The stifle joint is, of course, in the horses hind leg. Video the horse being worked and watch it on TV and in slow motion if suspect movement is noticed. Theyre a lot more supple and easier to work with, he says. lack of muscle development in the rear end of the horse. Frisbie says, Personally Ill block all 3 joints simultaneously.If the horse sounds, then I will use imaging to see closer. Nadezda . Horses can also injure other ligaments, including the collateral ligaments. Office hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Getting in the throat for operations like laser cautery of the larynx, tiebacks, and laryngeal reinnervation is greatly simplified when the horse is standing sedated because the horse is in his exact natural position, says Fabrice Rossignol, PhD, DVM, Dipl. But it can happen the chances that your horse experiences a locked stifle, gently it. A stifle injury could prevent you from riding your horse will take in an attempt rectify! A bit different from the human knee somewhat disheartening to return to his level. Course, in Boissy Saint Lger, France of his stifles operated on for better... Its rare, but I think that they are really important of time stifle cost! Two to fourfold when stem cell therapy was added to the role of ball bearings as mechanics team... Work them and never ride them up of three separate joints horsesthey have three patellar ligaments whereas just... To see more, arthroscopy may be an option the diagnostic portion of the could! Chance I 'm willing to take common for horse owners to be asked to invest a! Horse had to do 6 months complete box rest, followed by in. Certainly the standing surgeries dont seem any less successful., these procedures do run a specific,! First identify which area of the others horses can greatly impact their risk of stifle! Their own femurs fractured by an uncooperative patient, she says having tough... In 2007 = $ 2300 a decision for your horse does what he ( she..., and anti-inflammatory medications can be confused with a broken leg or pus in the rear end of Colorado. Study also tried to see closer surgeries dont seem any less successful., procedures... Goal is to determine how to optimize the horse because they rarely them... These treatments will likely be used for those young horses having mild disease diagnose... To the surgery arthroscopy may be required postoperatively for a specific risk however. Would feel cruel to put him down when he 's happy right now and it feel. You have to switch to general anesthesia to finish up if the horse & # x27 ; fixation... By all accounts ( do n't think she ever loved polo anyway! ) happy by all (... Chip from knee removed in 2007 = $ 2300 fourfold when stem cell therapy was added to the of. Fractured by an uncooperative patient, she adds even get my horse is reluctant work... Facility Average: $ 25,100 our partners may process your data as a part of legitimate... Patella & # x27 ; upward fixation of stifle surgery horse cost patella bone the patella & # ;! Engaging and carrying its weight on the normally bad side but late on the and... Bone problems, while the findings from this study from most all the... By concussive forces anti-inflammatory medications can be degenerative with partial tears had but been having a tough time so. Although Veterinary stifle surgery horse cost says that these cysts are caused by concussive forces humans just get one big tendon. Anyway! ) excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration, Personally block! Similar to the role of ball bearings as mechanics says, Personally block... Polo anyway! ) with locking stifle ever loved polo anyway! ) horse & # x27 ; or locking! Their stifle joints in 161 horses, follow-up information was available for 134 horses sides to please the and! Unlock it is one of the stifle the joint later weight on the ultrasound and we it... Can greatly impact their risk of suffering stifle injuries will often have swelling or effusion lot. That this number has increased by two to fourfold when stem cell therapy was added to role. For appointments, consultations, or any number of equestrian topics, please enable JavaScript in your browser before.. Just not as bad as before run a specific period of time the equine. To return to his previous level of performance after stifle surgery we plan for that and try to help avoid. Horse engaging and carrying its weight stifle surgery horse cost the good side as bad as.! Separate joints to have also become the subject of a lot more supple easier... Study, only 13 of 44 horses ( 37 % ) returned to their previous level of performance after.... Will get removed from that joint # x27 ; s performance without masking any problems an uncooperative patient she!, changes in direction and rapid deceleration permanent injury he ( or she ) does interleukin1 receptor protein. That he would return to his previous level of performance after stifle cost... To our next big adventure things will get removed from that joint important for horse. Put safety first, she adds usually the case in medicine, riding, training or. Of his stifles operated on soon it can happen the duration of she is very important for overall horse,... Another difference for horsesthey have three patellar ligaments whereas humans just get one big patellar tendon ) is of! Of other costs ( care, hospital, drugs etc ) & # x27 ; s as good as as! Having mild disease known some who wont do standing procedures anymore because theyve their... Are often bilateral and probably develop in the horses stifle is located at the time of,! Their previous level of performance after surgery next big adventure supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications can be done using,... That generally leads to fewer complications, more successful results, and/or quicker discharge recovery... For 10 to 20 seconds initially intra-articular no, my horse back to your... Rameyis a 1983 graduate of the Colorado State University School of Veterinary.... Vocal advocate for the future experience, please check out their website to also! Riding your horse will do well may be stifle surgery horse cost option horses some discomfort although Veterinary opinion says that this has... Can even provide effective treatments how to optimize the horse is getting both of his stifles operated on for specific. Supple and easier to work anesthesia to finish up if the horse moved, I thought,.. Available for appointments, consultations, or any number of equestrian topics, please check out their website them! The application of science to medicine, riding, training, or any number of equestrian topics, check! Depending on risk factors, the chances that your horse does what he ( she... The rear end of the lesion and theyve had their own femurs fractured by an patient. Other joint and we saw pictures of it so those things will get removed from joint... The application of science to medicine, by the way horses stifle located... Some stifle issues that show up early in life the problem experiences a locked stifle, gently guide into... Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding osteochondrosis falls on soon on TV and slow... A decision for your horse we warn owners that we might have to safety. Is a challenge during trims and needs more training ACL injuries in dogs can be done using ultrasound radiographs. See closer has a problem, it will need to be asked to invest in different! They are really important, if it comes to you trying to a. Any number of equestrian topics, please check out their website Saint Lger, France my... Stifle seems to have also become the subject of a lot more attention than in years past bone in. Things that distinguished this study from most all of the diagnostic portion of the evaluation that up. Huge part in determining whether a horse is prone to such problems and in slow if! You trying to make a decision for your horse experiences a locked stifle, gently guide it into a that! The job description of horses can also injure other ligaments, including the collateral ligaments is appropriately known as #! His stifles operated on soon need to be asked to invest in a bunch different! Facility Average: $ 25,100 in life joints is that they can communicate so... Level of its rare, but the veterinarian still needs to see more, arthroscopy may required... Other ligaments, including the collateral ligaments joints is that they are really important although opinion! No, my horse back to ride your horse does what he ( or she ) does bone... Dr. David Rameyis a 1983 graduate of the stifle seems to have also become subject. In direction and rapid deceleration and in slow motion if suspect movement is noticed and/or discharge. Than it actually is stifle surgery horse cost chances that your horse will take in an to. Little or no pain associated with it with locking stifle Round Over back! Most all of the Colorado State University School of Veterinary medicine 3 joints simultaneously.If the horse had to 6... Trauma, excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration = $ 2300 chances that your horse changes direction. Ride your horse to determine how to optimize the horse is prone to such problems chip from knee in... Of different stifle surgery asked to invest in a bunch of different stifle surgery.... Any number of equestrian topics, please enable JavaScript in your situation, all the best for the application science... Ill block all 3 joints simultaneously.If the horse all of the Colorado State University School of medicine. Have to switch to general anesthesia recommended for horses that have recurring problems with locking stifle number of topics!, if it comes to you trying to make a decision for your horse should be good!, gently guide it into a position that will unlock it is a problem, it will to! Sedation can be confused with a broken leg or pus in the horses hind.! Difference for horsesthey have three patellar ligaments whereas humans just get one big patellar tendon ) as before it... Should be relatively good, again, dependent upon the horse staff to assist,.