Patty is starting to get big

[MountainWoman]

I have a colt with a locking stifle. I'm a big one for getting a vet to look at any and all problems but what he told me was to make sure I take him out every day and walk him and preferably up and down hills (in addition to his turn out time) and maybe it will go away and maybe it won't and we'd have to look into surgical options later. I haven't had pregnant mares develop a locking stifle. Also regular trims by a professional farrier are going to be a help.

 

[Kim P]

Maybe it is just her feet causing this. Dec. 21st is the last time he was here. I called him. He will come this weekend. I can definitely do the hill walking! Everything runs downhill here! I hope that it goes away after she foals.

 

[paintponylvr]

I don't know if I responded to your particular post on locking stifles or not. I know that I did a while ago - may have been a different one.

I have several ponies that have locking stifles to different degrees. These are all youngsters - fillies, colts and geldings. When I questioned vets w/ lots of mini experience, based on photos & video, I was told that the pony (s) displaying this issue didn't have the conformation to pre-dispose them to the locking stifle problems. I was also told at that time (2011) that it wasn't genetic and I shouldn't see it with others. I now know this is in-accurate - I have MANY that lock up NOW. All sired by the same stallion and out of different mares. Makes me sad! After having a neighbor make some nasty comments about it re: a gelding he wanted to buy but he "don wanna crippled one...", I did a lot more, and current research. It was interesting - and it made me decide that I'm glad I had the stallion euthanized (there were a couple of other factors as well). Neither the stallion nor the dams of each of the resulting foals show (ed) any signs of locking stifles. The mares, bred to other stallions, have not had other foals w/ locking stifles yet (for me! - several had quite a number of foals before I purchased them)... I've gelding the colts that displayed this "fault" - euthanized one filly (BAD locking when it started and affected her health/eating and vet recommended). Plan on not breeding the other fillies/mares that have this "fault" now - but that means everything I've bred/produced from my own stock since 2010 will not continue on... Ends my breeding program pretty effectively! MAKES ME SAD!!

SOOOO - doesn't sound like Patty's issue is the same. Understand, too, that as her body changes to accommodate the pending arrival - her ligaments are loosening up to allow her to give birth. Could be what is causing her problem right now. Agree with the others' on exercise/turn out - and that is what Ive found works with mine (except for the filly that was bad). If Patty locks when you are leading her - ask her to back up as that will often unlock them and will work better than most other things. Also, be careful when your farrier works on her - just make sure he knows that she's locking up so he can accommodate some shifting of how he lifts/supports her hind legs and doesn't hold them up too long while trimming.

Current research states that there are 3 possibilities with locking stifles. Two are either a too short ligament connection or a too long ligament connection - if doing a surgical correction the procedures are DIFFERENT w/ DIFFERENT aftercare and costs associated with them. The third is a possible problem with the bone in the stifle joint - again a different situation and probably not surgically correctable...

On our locking ponies - we are currently working with feed, exercise and farrier. We are managing the "problem" effectively... We have not had it determined (yet) whether they have the too short or too long ligaments or the last possibility (doubtful). All of ours have had the locking stifle issues start between 18 months and 2 yrs of age.

 

[Kim P]

Oh Paula, I hate that you had to stop your line. You can start one up again can't you? I know that it will take awhile. So what kind of special feed do you have to get them?

 

[lkblazin]

Paula that really is sad. I hope that in the future you will start again. I hope the vet acknowledged his inaccuracies.

I had a vet say a foal was disproportionate and that was why it was not able to come out properly. When really it was a red bag delivery, and if his hands were not so massive he could have repositioned it. It was a fully formed perfectly correct silver dapple pinto filly. And a month early. That's the short version. Needless to say I never used that vet again. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

 

[paintponylvr]

Nothing special - they do well on a quality feed that appears to have the right amount of nutrients...

I currently feed Safe Choice Original (by Nutrena), along with Beet pulp and for certain ponies that I feel it is necessary - alfalfa pellets or alfalfa cubes (pellets are much easier both for storage and feeding). They all have coastal/bermuda hay fed free choice in large, round bales, or, if penned get from small squares but again free choice.

Yes, we have other un-related mares and 2 jr stallions including a stud colt sired by our first stallion that looks to remain a stallion for a while. They can be crossed to the original mares and others purchased since. The silver pinto mares that I have bred - ??? Not sure yet what I will be doing with them. There are 5 - 1 is a 1/2 shetland; 3 are full sisters and the 5th is out of a different mare... 2 of the full sisters have locked up a couple of times that I know of - the others have not - at least not where/when we've been out with them... All 3 of the geldings still here - lock up - with the youngest having just started at 18 months of age. the oldest has just turned 5 yrs old and he will lock w/ both hind legs - a few times at the same time.

I have only sold one that locks up (actually I've sold 2 - one I purchased back) and he started locking up after selling him. We will be deciding what to do next together - we'll see what his new owner would like to do. The others - probably won't sell at all - tho some were originally for sale - I currently have no ponies listed anywhere for sale.

I love and miss having our babies, but between moving into a new property, working a new job with different hourly requirements and retaining ponies I'd originally planned on selling, I have both frustrated broodmares and jr stallions and may for a while yet!! LOL. In the mean time, we are starting to work with all the young stock and hope to have several more driving this summer to include a couple who will be strengthened and hopefully will lessen their locking issues.

 

[Kim P]

So sorry Rebecca. I will have to watch my vet. He has big hands too.

 

[Kim P]

Yes Paula you sound busy. So is everything going good at the new place? Which by the way is beautiful.

 

[paintponylvr]

Paula that really is sad. I hope that in the future you will start again. I hope the vet acknowledged his inaccuracies.

I had a vet say a foal was disproportionate and that was why it was not able to come out properly. When really it was a red bag delivery, and if his hands were not so massive he could have repositioned it. It was a fully formed perfectly correct silver dapple pinto filly. And a month early. That's the short version. Needless to say I never used that vet again. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

If it had been just one vet instead of 4 AND each of 4 of them had done actual physical palpation/hands on exams of the ponies in question, I'd probably be more upset. Most was done only by photo some video. IN the mean time, there is a lot more research available just in the last two years - all interesting!

I am not far (NOW) from a vet who specializes in this - however - at this time it is cost prohibitive for us and I've just found out about him and haven't actually had the chance to speak with him. The weather hasn't exactly been conducive to having the exams either, so I haven't been real worried about it at this time. Figured we've survived 4 yrs so far - we'll find out more this summer. WHO KNOWS - may end up having them all "fixed", LOL.

Sorry to hear about your filly - I know that that is a tough one to handle...

 

[paintponylvr]

Thanx, KIM!!

Yes, it's coming along - though I'm starting to feel VERY BEHIND... and that's not a feeling I'm used to nor is it a very comfortable one. It helps to go read that from several sources that ..."nothing was built in 1 day...".

sometimes I feel very "stretched"... LOL. Others, I simply enjoy the day!

 

[Kim P]

Well at least you are close to one who specializes in this. Hopefully he can get them all fixed up this summer. Yes the vet is expensive. I just have the three, one little old dog and my grand babies cat. I could not afford all that some of you have. Especially if you have special conditions to treat and keep in check.

 

[Kim P]

If your weather has been like ours, it is so easy to get behind! But look ahead to the beautiful long days of summer coming. We will all get so much done. I know we have to work on our little pen to figure out how to prepare for next winter and all the RAIN! I will be praying for rain in a few months! Lol. Just can't please me!

 

[Ryan Johnson]

Ill send you some warmth Kim, Summer is just about done here, not that we had a great one this year. Im not looking forward to winter , but I am looking forward to "slacking off" a little during the colder months. I feel like Ive had a backpack of weed sprayer attached to me since last Sept. Due to the Up and down weather over xmas the weeds have just kept popping up everywhere. Ive tried verbally abusing them as I sprayed them but they still keep coming back

 

HA!!!

 

[MyGoldenSunny]

LOL Ryan! Verbally abusing weeds!! That really gave me a good laugh : D

 

[Kim P]

Ryan, I have got to talk to you more about Australia! I have never been and want to go. So your seasons aren't the same as mine? I want get to go this summer either. The hubby wants to take all the grand kids to Disney world. Sounds like I don't really want to come during my summer though. So how cold does it get there?

 

[lkblazin]

Lol Ryan!!! Haha that's awesome haha

 

[Ryan Johnson]

Hey Kim,

Well our summer temps are usually in the high 40 degrees Celsius and usually for the months of Jan , Feb and March. Last year we hit the high fourties for a lot of the summer months. We had a lot of bush fires which we luckily didn't get this year as summer weather was up and down (hence the weeds not disappearing ). Winter months it gets down to zero of a night and the days reach a top of 11-15 degrees Celsius. I really cant complain about the weather in winter seeing as tho we don't get the snow or freezing temps like you all do. We get a lot of rain tho at this time. No your right, I wouldn't (or couldn't ) travel during the summer months here either as there is just so much to do around home. I usually travel during winter here, Its just easier as my big horses usually have a 4-6 week break from doing anything.

im actually getting some very very good Autumn/ Summer weather at the moment and for the rest of the week, Frosty mornings but lovely 28-29 degrees Celsius sunny afternoons.

 

[lkblazin]

Wow I never new there was big difference in your weather compared to ours. So interesting. Well if I somehow ever get the chance to travel out of the us I'll be looking at the weather a lot

 

[Ryan Johnson]

Its like my pre requisite when I do get the chance to travel. Must be hot and must have a buffet breakfast. LOL