Moreover, they are kicking from the rear end in an attempt to free the locked patella. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Rossignol has noted clear improvements in surgery success rates when performing standing surgeries to treat recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. All of these treatments were given with good rationales: given with the best of intentions. These treatments will likely be used for those young horses having mild disease. 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. Baxter says that while radiography can be seen in some areas, ultrasound is more useful for spotting abnormalities. ASIDE: Just so as to keep things confusing, the joint that most people call the horses knee is analogous to the human wrist. 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. From 471 quotes ranging from $4,000 - $10,000. Jun 2004. In recent years, researchers, joint specialists, and field veterinarians have been paying more attention to the hind limb joint. important, when it comes to trying to make a decision for your horse. Arthroscopic surgery is a joint surgery for horses. Getting in the throat for operations like laser cautery of the larynx, VSV Confirmed on New Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas Premises. But, even then, some horses arent amenable and standing surgeries arent always possible. Worried that he'll still be sore. That looks like a problem. But the horse stopped making sound in a different joint. Why your horse limps, and what to do about it. This joint is very important for overall horse functioning, as you can likely tell. Stay up-to-date on the latest news about your horse's health with FREE newsletters from TheHorse.com. Low o the outside rear, a common cause for stifle lock. Follow Lest-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas. In spite of what you may Heres another part of 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. question, How do they do after stifle surgery? investigators I was originally told it would be about 3500 ( it was at my vets with an outside surgeon), but because the surgeon came and did a number of horses his fee was substantially reduced to me as she wasn't insured. You didnt have many options unless you were a surgeon willing to look inside and open the wounds. When I was invited to watch a horse riding competition, I got so fascinated with riding! Baxter says that the severity of an injury depends on how damaged the meniscus is. 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.) One of the more uncommon areas from But at 16 months of age she was diagnosed with a condition known as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which had developed in her left and right knees. the things that distinguished this study from most all of the others. $6,000. For horses with meniscal injuries in the stifles (i.e., to the "pillows" of cartilage that cushion the . Kind of sadly, only 32 of the 82 horsesapproximately 39%returned to their intended use after surgery. For example, the stifle "joint" is actually made up of three separate joints. Depending on the severity and location of the osteochondrosis, after the initial onset episode has been treated, you can expect a period of time in which your horse will likely be confined to stall rest. researchers looked at the medical records, but they also did telephone Still, even though the Your email address will not be published. A demographic paper reported that 40% of horses with stifle issues have event horses. be mostly a waste of time and money, at least after stifle surgery, and probably Stretching. the reality is that current information would indicate that they are likely to stifle surgery. lame, the less the chance that he would return to his previous level of In fact, horses need this joint to properly lock in place . He was campaigned hard as a futurity horse. Horses in Western performance disciplines would likely be on par or higher. Frisbie says that the ability to diagnose stifle injury without surgery is a new phenomenon. This sudden severe lameness can be confused with a broken leg or pus in the foot. The chance that a horse with a severe or third-degree meniscal tear would return to work after surgery was 6 percent. more specific recommendations will come from your veterinary surgeon based upon the extent and type of surgery done. But horses undergoing standing surgeryare perfectly fine, our sources say. The stifle joints are designed to move in a restricted manner. Baxter says that the stifle is a very mobile, weight-bearing joints.It is composed of many components that must all work seamlessly together with every stride. Technically, this is called upward fixation the patella. The stifle is a hinge joint similar to a human knee, except the human knee is upright, and the stifle is angled. 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. These ligaments help stabilize the joint while the horse is working. On the other hand, I have seen almost a 100% success rate in fixing the problem. National Range: $14,188 - $49,016+. Horses who jump a lot can sustain stifle injury from the force involved in pushing up and crossing large fences, especially on slick footing. However, there are many surgeries that can be performed in the standing 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. This price includes the procedure, sedation, consumables and drugs administered on the day. going to make for their horse and the money they are going to spend, as well. Fatty was adjusted his gait he swings the leg out of course you can’t tell for sure but both the vet and Physio say it’s likely he does this because it does not hurt when he moves like that. Subject: RE: bone chip surgery costs? He says that there are some stifle issues that show up early in life as the horse is reluctant to work. Less than 40% of studied horses in two studies returned to their intended use following stifle surgery. I'm happy to go ahead with the surgery as long as it will take away his pain. However, he says, his studies havent included enough patients to demonstrate reliably whether standing surgeries are actually more successful than recumbent. acid (Legend)/polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (Adequan). Baxter says that this is due to how the horse carries weight across the whole limb. 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. Meniscal tears are one of the most common acute injuries to the stifle. I have no idea why this is. directly into the joint, as well as systemically, none of them may be helpful Sorry thought I had but been having a tough time lately so didn't explain correctly. This movement will allow the ligament in its hind leg to slacken, allowing the joint to unlock. A demographic paper reported that 40% of horses with stifle issues have event horses. The stifle is considered the most complex joint in the horse's body with a similar function to the human knee. surgery may be recommended, for example, for treatment of conditions such as Ultrasound imaging will likely be used to image any soft tissue anomalies which may be present. Of course, we plan for that and try to help them avoid it, but you cant always control it.. Many surgeries absolutely require general anesthesia: most colic surgeries, including large intestinal volvulus and small intestinal strangulating lesions; cesarean sections; complex fractures; and arthrodesis (permanent surgical immobilization of a joint). Its similar to the role of ball bearings as mechanics. Frisbie says that the dreaded ACL injury can cause a career to end. The range can be $1,000-$5,000. 2023 DoctorRamey.com & David Ramey, DVM - All Rights Reserved. lameness was also an important prognostic factor; the longer the horse had been Kicking up in the rear end whilst being ridden. 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. Anesthesia equipment hums as the surgical team works efficiently and expertly in their various roles to complete a procedure. Manage Settings Horses in Western performance disciplines would likely be on par or higher. But I digress. The horses involved in the study were all Western Performance horses, including 38 cutting horses, 13 Western pleasure horses, and 13 reining horses (I know that doesnt add up to 82, its just that there were a whole bunch of different disciplines). A veterinarian will use imaging technology to examine the joint after it has been blocked. While it runs its own share of risks, theyre usually minor and rarerthan the ones associated with recumbent surgery under general anesthesia, they say. When a horse is standing normally, its stifle is locked into a weight-bearing capacity. When your horse experiences a locked stifle, gently guide it into a position that will unlock it. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. All colts over the age of 6 months are done under general anaesthetic. And while horses can potentially lose their balance and fall during a standing surgery under sedation, its extremely rare, Suarez-Fuentes says. 18. The good news is that, even if all you can do is manage the disorder, today's treatment options present more opportunity than ever for horses to overcome stifle issues and continue performing. Kind of The end goal is to determine how to optimize the horse's performance without masking any problems. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Thirty-two, or 40 percent, of the horses had returned to their intended use. When the patella gets stuck in a horse, the horse, in another bit of the unique verbiage that has been around for hundreds of years, may be said to be stifled.. The standing position lets us palpate the tendon better and recognize anatomical landmarks more easily, helping ensure the procedure is done correctly, he says. Beyonc, a bay Thoroughbred filly owned by Patricia and Will Lalor, whose barn is based in Clonmel, Ireland, was destined for a show jumping career. Providing an equine surgical patient with medicated sedation that allows him to be drowsy without having to lie down, along with local anesthesia (numbing where pain is likely to occur) at the surgical site, circumvents such risks. P.O. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, You need to be logged in to fill out this form. 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. The surgery is known as medial patellar desmotomy and is relatively simple. However, the horses stifle is quite a bit different from the human knee. It can be a composite of growth, diet, and genetics. In particular, the wide spread habit of leaving the rear near side hoof low on the outside and high on the inner. Medications for postop inflammation may be prescribed but beyond this, more specific recommendations will come from your veterinary surgeon based upon the extent and type of surgery done. But certainly the standing surgeries dont seem any less successful., These procedures do run a specific risk, however: contamination. carrying the quarters in or out in both directions. Friends who had their horses done at the same time had better results but in the end went back and had the other surgery done the same as I did. The benefits are clearthe procedures can provide good, if not better, results than equivalent surgeries on fully anesthetized horses, without the added costs and complications. Proper attention to your horses wounds can help ensure a successful outcome. ASIDE: Just so as to keep things confusing, the joint that most people call the horse's knee is analogous to the human wrist. The principles of arthroscopy are that by maintaining a joint in distension a small arthroscope (telescope) can be inserted into the joint. According to David Frisbie (DVM, PhD), Its now easier than ever to diagnose and treat problems in the stifle with advances in imaging technology.Until about 10 years ago, nobody bothered to treat stifles. Step 1: I flex the horse's hip and stifle by lifting the hoof upward and forward. Causing a rider to be on the incorrect diagonal. 20,025. But thats not always true. Your email address will not be published. The stifle joint is, of course, in the horses hind leg. 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. therapies seems to depend mostly on the opinions of the prescribing Baxter says that all of these treatments work best when used in younger animals. Our data show that complications arising from our procedure itself can be reduced when performed standing, says Marco Marcatili, DVM, PhD, MRCVS, of the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicines Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, in Scotland, and Pool House Equine Clinic, in Lichfield, U.K. His team developed a thyroid removal technique in standing horses. Messages. lameness was directly associated with outcome; the worse the lameness, the Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. (I know that doesnt add up to Stiff to one side and a lack of suppleness and bend one side. Osteochondrosis of the Stifle Average Cost, From 324 quotes ranging from $4,000 - $8,000. Fax: (818) 885-7737. A veterinarian may use a numbing agent to block a suspected stifle injury after a visual exam, flexion tests, and watching the horse move under saddle. In a high percentage of cases that we meet, horses are conformed either bum high , straight behind, too long in the barrel or a combination of them all. The collateral ligaments are strong and can be diagnosed with either a physical exam, or an ultrasound if they have been severely injured. This swelling can be noted in several joints which include: The swelling associated with osteochondrosis can be present as early in life as 5 months of age but most often occurs or shows up with the horse begins to work or train. You have to put safety first, she says. Finally, for all of We warn owners that we might have to switch to general anesthesia to finish up if the horse is uncomfortable or reacting strongly.. Posts: 3864. The anterior and posteriorcruciate ligaments are two more ligaments that are buried in the cleft. The more commonly recognized joints include the hock, stifle, fetlock and between the neck vertebrae. It is evident how important ultrasound technology has been in the management of stifle injury. The death knell for an optimistic prognosis is often long-term follow-up. 11 June 2018 #31. interleukin1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), intra-articular The less common joints include the shoulder, elbow and hip. Just an update as he's had his surgery and it's semi good news. The stifle is the largest and most complex joint in the horse and, as such, it is an important cause of hindlimb lameness. It's also the technical name for locking stifles in horses. was any association between the treatments given and a return to athletic less severe problems (you might be able to see this on an X-rays, for example). I feel the main reason for this is that they read an American study some years back, which dealt with a survey carried out on a number of horses that had been operated on. study from the journal Veterinary Surgery so interesting. No, my horse is a challenge during trims and needs more training. veterinarian(s), there is little scientific evidence to suggest that any of But Baxter isnt shy about stating the long-term outlook. Theres just no comparison, he says. 2023 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. In the hope that it will work, we tend to rest and inject for six to one year. criticize anyone who would try to do everything that can be done for a horse, #BeginnerEquestrianStartingOut. I think arthritis in the stifle can be difficult. The stifle is considered the most complex joint in the horse's body with a similar function to the human knee. Seven-year-old Irish Gelding Tommy, also known around South Yorkshire as Tommy Tankersley, is looking for a new home where he can excel to his full potential. So the next time you see a horse bucking its owner off, have it checked out before sending it off to a horse breaker and telling him (as I have been) to give the horse a good bashing. The horse with upward patellar fixation or locking stifle is unsound for riding or work. I'll just sell everything I can to afford it for him. . Ride the horse, work tight circles on both leads. This causes locking patella, crookedness in horses and lameness. You can have problems if you remove the contents surgically. We are a professional yard and we are in a position to ensure that nothing (and mean absolutely NOTHING) moved a whisker while we were walking her. For what it's worth, that's pretty much the same thing that another study of 44 horses, done in 2009, found. JavaScript is disabled. Its analogous to the human knee joint. There are all sorts of very appealing rationales for these sorts of therapies e.g., to decrease inflammation, protect cartilage, provide building blocks for cartilage, etc. Baxter says that a horse can slip in the paddock and pull a ligament. Up to 350kg. Veterinary prescribed anti inflammatory drugs for a period with work. Its certainly quite a bit cheapermore or less so depending on the clinic and whether its private or academic, says Suarez-Fuentes. I think you are mad! Stifle lesions as compared to hock and fetlock lesions, Lesions having osteochondral fragmentation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tel: (818) 512-3123 Good luck. Trauma to the stifle, the horse's most complex joint, can lead to stifle injury; in addition, some horses experience developmental disorders of the stifle, which will impact them as foals or young horses. Regardless of the species, general anesthesia (induced, controlled complete loss of consciousness) has its risks, primarily associated with side effects of the drugs used to keep the patient unconscious. P.O. The facility owner will absorb the cost of transporting the horses to the rehabilitation center as well as the costs for surgery and rehabilitation. Thats a different article. 82, its just that there were a whole bunch of different disciplines). Herbs and plants have been used as medicine for centuries. Lesions are often bilateral and probably develop in the . 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 . However, the horse's stifle is quite a bit different from the human knee. Did I miss the party? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. A fringe benefit of standing surgeries is that they can be more comfortable for the surgeons themselves, our sources say. The stifle can be compared to the human knee. The researchers looked at the medical records, but they also did telephone interviews with the owners at least two years after surgery was performed. When the patella gets stuck in a horse, the horse, in another bit of the unique verbiage that has been around for hundreds of years, may be said to be stifled.. This is the classic equine surgery scenario, which is necessary for most colic cases and a variety of other procedures. The cost of joint injections depends on exactly which and how many joints are being injected, but expect to pay for sedation and somewhere around $80-$100 per joint for injections as this is a very time consuming and supply consuming procedure by the time you have clipped and surgically prepped each injection site. As weve learned more It was in excess of 20,000 for one stifle. Some surgeons have a set system and large staff to assist them, says Suarez-Fuentes. horse lies on a massive surgical table, blue drapes covering much of his body and surgical scrub booties over his hooves. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Patient visits by appointment. Most horses do really well, but a very low percentage might develop issues like myopathies (muscle diseases), neuropathies (nerve damage), or laryngeal collapse, says David G. Suarez-Fuentes, DVM, of BluePearl Veterinary Partners, in Tennessee, who studied standing surgeries at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ames. If I had to criticize one thing, it would be that surgeons and vets still dont work on stifles as a first-line procedure. Sometimes when something wrong Seven-year-old Irish Gelding Tommy, also known around South Yorkshire as Tommy Tankersley, is looking for a new home where he can excel to his full potential. I ended giving her away to a friend's mother as a field companion, such a waste of a good pony but that's horses isn't it? They certainly didnt in this study. However, any horse can injure the stifle. and more about horse joints, weve been able to get better images, so we have a This uses a scope the same width as a hypodermic needle. analogous to the human wrist. Here are some of the other causes of osteochondrosis: As always, if your equine presents with severe lameness or severe joint swelling, it is vital to have him evaluated by your veterinary professional on an emergent basis. This knee cartilage surgery is usually carried out arthroscopically and the recovery time is quite short. 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. Finally, for all of the therapeutic options that are available for post-operative care, given both directly into the joint, as well as systemically, none of them may be helpful in returning the horse to its previous level of use. Video the horse being worked and watch it on TV and in slow motion if suspect movement is noticed. study. figure out whether you should do surgery on your horses stifleassuming that Frisbie says that the geometry and anatomy of the stifle joint are designed to allow for movement backwards and forwards. have also become the subject of a lot more attention than in years past. If we pay close attention, we can spot them quickly. Theyre a lot more supple and easier to work with, he says. 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. Here is a list of the The degree of An alternative industry that is worth billions of dollars to manufacturers and worth about nothing to the horse. (This is another difference for horsesthey have three patellar ligaments whereas humans just get one big patellar tendon). She has a right front inside medial fracture. at Colorado State University looked at 82 Western Performance horses and Stifle injuries can result from repetitive stress, trauma, excessive use, changes in direction and rapid deceleration. These horses used to have an unknown lameness. Thats just what fans were treated investigators And the heavier the horse, the worse it can be. However, we have not recognized this type of injury in horses. Bred by Gregory Wathelets father, Hubert, and born on their family farm in Luxembourg, shes the No matter which country you root for, most dressage fans can agree; theres nothing better than watching a veteran partnership competing at their peak. barrelracinbroke. in returning the horse to its previous level of use. In other horses, a veterinarian may use an irritant to alter the pull of the patella and aid in preventing upward locking. Currently, for veterinarians and surgeons such as myself, thats the stifle.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'justformyhorse_com-box-4','ezslot_4',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-justformyhorse_com-box-4-0'); Horsemen often refer to the stifle joint as a single joint. circumstances, trying to figure out how to diagnose and treat many of the A general lack of exercise in horses, usually stabled. New is needle arthroscopy. My horse is well behaved most of the time, but could use some training. followed them up to see how they did. The meniscus keeps the femur in its place and allows it to glide when the joint flexes. The duration of lameness was also an important prognostic factor; the longer the horse had been lame, the less the chance that he would return to his previous level of performance. Horse stifles are something you have been hearing more of lately. It is important to note, if horse shows are your expectation for your horse, that chronic swelling of the joint may not necessarily be eliminated with surgical options. 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. That’s as good as good news can be in your situation , all the best for the future . JavaScript is disabled. What to know if your horse needs surgery. Please see my practice site: There is more misinformation about acupuncture than just about any other thing in the horse world. Im Allison, born and raised in San Diego California, the earliest memory I have with horses was at my grandfathers farm. In addition, his team has recorded significantly less blood loss during standing than recumbent procedures. For the desmotomy (complete severing of the medial patellar ligament) vets in my area wanted between $350-$1,000 but forum friends told me it could be done for $150 so I kept looking and finally found . When youre trying to figure out whether you should do surgery on your horses stifle assuming that you horse has a problem there, of course it can be somewhat disheartening to learn that there really isnt a lot of data out there on how horses do after stifle surgery. 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. But they do not help tissues heal, and have not for hundreds of year. The equine stifle joint can be "locked" to allow the horse to sleep while standing. After surgery, its Even the Unabridged Horses that dont cooperate during sedation or when were performing the local anesthesia have to be operated on under general anesthesia, because otherwise its not safe for the staff, nor for the horse, he says. For what its worth, thats pretty much the same thing that another study of 44 horses, done in 2009, found. He took care of you. A veterinarian can diagnose a stifle fracture using all these diagnostic methods. Advancements in ultrasound are responsible for a lot of that.. Horses can have the problem in one or both of the hind legs. The patella joint, which is analogue to the human kneecap, and the bottom bone of the foemur bone form the third joint of the Stifle. Baxter says that what may appear to be a training or behavior issue could actually be stifle lethargy. Injecting a localized area with quartizone, Properly prepare the Horse as an athlete by lunging in soft sand and with our systems being used (the most successful way). These advancements in diagnosis and treatment techniques can be self-perpetuating, as they encourage and allow curious researchers to continue learning. But I digress. Yes, he stands still, lifts his feet when asked, and does not lean or kick. cats, birds and exotics to horses, cattle, llamas, pigs and many other large farm or food animals, our experienced veterinary staff is ready to assist.Learn More. How much does it cost to inject a horses stifles? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To answer the question, How do they do after stifle surgery? investigators at Colorado State University looked at 82 Western Performance horses CLICK HERE to see an abstract of the study and followed them up to see how they did. Equine Nutrition FAQ Series, sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. Its a big joint and its an important joint. As with any joint, injections, supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications can be helpful in controlling arthritis of the stifle. When and how do veterinarians evaluate horses lower airways? $6,000. Chips, short for bone chips, are technically osteochondral fragmentspieces of cartilage-covered bone ("osteo" for bone and "chondral" for cartilage) that have "chipped" off, often times into a joint. We are more able to diagnose and treat the problem. I have seen horses younger than my own with hurting stifles who arent as willing to turn as fast and as sharply as before.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'justformyhorse_com-leader-4','ezslot_13',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-justformyhorse_com-leader-4-0'); A visual exam will be the first step in diagnosing a suspected stifle. The causes: LOOK AT THE DIET WITH STIFLE AND OTHER PROBLEMS. You must first identify which area of the stifle was damaged and diagnose the cause before deciding to ride your horse. ECVS, equine surgery specialist at the Grosbois Equine Clinic, in Boissy Saint Lger, France. The fact that the horse is awake and, even under sedation, can move and breathe, makes this testingas well as any necessary adjustmentsmore reliable before closing up the surgery site. Its more challenging to keep the surgical site disinfected in an awake horse, says Rossignol. Stifle surgery cost. Simple, concise, and sound advice about something that is made way too complicated. Baxter says, It is always better to understand what the problem really is.Baxter says, We may not always be capable of fixing it, but we can at least try to solve it. Here are some possible causes of severe lameness. Osteochondrosis ( see Osteochondrosis in Horses ) is a common cause of stifle lameness in young horses. Frisbie says that disciplines with more sideways motion (like cutting) will be more susceptible to stifle injury. Why your horse does what he (or she) does. The stifle is a large, complex joint composed of four bones, two menisci (crescent-shaped discs of fibrocartilage attached to the joint surface) and 14 ligaments. Disoriented and scared, horses can come out of anesthesia ready to bolt but lacking the coordination for safe movement. you dont often see this kind of follow-up in veterinary medical studies, it is The motivation for employing them is also good; I mean, dont you want to do everything that you can to help your horse? It is fairly important information to enable you and anyone else to make an informed decision. One such example is a classic chip fracture. There are many reasons. do after surgery. Bone chips causing lameness are usually surgically removed. The study also tried to see if they could N.B. Standing sedation sometimes brings these procedures into the realm of being affordable, allowing horses to have access to veterinary carethey wouldnt otherwise have had., But reduced costs arent the case acrossthe board, says Rossignol.