“her left front knee buckles or slips out of joint and back in on ocassion. “…

 

I have a 9 yr old Mare with a history of heavy trail riding prior to my owning her. I am working her lightly in arena work – her left front knee buckles or slips out of joint and back in on occasion. It does not swell and seems to happen most often while in a fast trot or cantor. I have her on supplements and put a ointment after riding. Is there a recommendation for a knee support that can be used while riding? and! should I invest in a magnetic knee brace? Or is there something else I should be doing?

 

Dr. Kimberly Gryl’s Answer:

 

Suzanne:

 

While your mare’s age is fairly young, certainly she can have a knee problem that can cause her instability enough to fall down at fast pace. Sometimes conformation is bad enough to contribute to certain weaknesses or instabilities. If she is having leg pain somewhere in the affected leg(s), from any cause, this may be causing the problem. What type of ointment are you applying? Anti-inflammatory ointments can be effective, if applied to (obviously) the right area. Even though she falls to her knees, that may not be the initial source of pain. Perhaps she is compensating and you are seeing a secondary problem. As far as a knee brace, they do make them but they are more for bandage-type applications.

 

You should have your veterinarian look at her to try and pinpoint the problem source, and discuss options for helping her. Until then, you definitely should not be riding her at increased pace – God forbid she should take a spill with you or anyone else on her and people get hurt. Good luck.