broken knee

[lamprellsarah]

my mare had a broke her knee as a foal we think!!. she's 20 now, she didn't fail her vetting a year ago when i bought her, because she didn't fail the flexion tests, she trotted out OK
but it clicks awfully, and when picking her hooves she has a 15 % reduction in flexing!!!
but she loves jumping and will try what ever i don't want to give it up, we don't go higher than 3 ft, but should i really be jumping???
she doesn't often knock the pole down with her front legs, (broken knee one), sometimes her back ones these are fine though, and she has actually got better and more athletic!!!

just worried!!??? help

[ponyvet]

If she's happy keep going! The reduction in flexion probably means (well definitely) that there's some arthritic change in the joint, I know you give her lots of good joint feeding so that's great. Exercise is good for arthritic joints as it helps keep them supple.

If she's happy doing what she's doing then carry on. Stop if you think she's hurting and then reassess. Be aware though that with this kind of joint, it's not unusual for them to be fine one minute and then crippled lame (forever) another, so enjoy her whilst youcan. I do know of similar horses which one day come in from the field (or out of the stable) and will never be ridden again because the joint just seems to seize up. I think as long as you give her lots of regular exercise and don't make her stand around for too long - i.e. let her have lots of turnout - you'll keep the joint nice and flexible and she'll do fine. :D

[Wally]

This is exactly what happened to a friends horse, she was retired due to an arthritic knee, just not quite sound, but was turned out 24/7 summer and out from 8am to 7pm winter.

One day she came in really lame, went out sound, back in again hopping. She was a good bit older than yours though. But it was so sudden.

[ponyvet]

It does. So you just have to take advantage of what time you have and use it for the best.

[lamprellsarah]

thanx she hasn't been lame yet, and she's turned out 24/7 all the time, i hope that i will slowly be able to retire her in a couple of years and maybe permenant loan he rout as a light hack / companion but i know these homes are hard to find