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  Discussion on Kneed Over Halter Horse-Use Cal-Phos??
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Posted on Monday, Aug 2, 1999 - 7:57 am:

I have a 4 1/2 month halter stallion. He's 13.3 at the hips, 12.2 at withers. His front legs are starting to buckle over at the knee. He also shakes slightly on front legs. As I'm new to showing halter, I've feeding him based upon what "other" halter people have said. He gets 4 lbs 14% sweet feed, 8 oz. milk supplement, 1/4 cup oil, 1 oz. loose minerals twice a day. Also receives daily Strongid wormer & small amount of coastal hay.
To correct this problem, I was told to give him 3cc of Cal-Phos liquid "IM" every 2 weeks for 2 months. Dr. O, does this sound okay to you? He looks and acts great.

Thanks,
Lisa D.

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 3, 1999 - 8:21 am:

Hello Lisa,
No, if the calcium phosphorous amount and balance is not correct throwing some in once every 2 weeks in not going to help. Many milk based supplements are rich in Ca And P so I suspect with the milk supplement that the calcium and phosphorous is fine though to be sure you will have to do some calculations.

The problem is most likely due to pushing the nutrition to show halter. The bones are growing faster than the superficial flexor muscle-tendon unit. The result is the SDF tightens, pushing the knees forward and making the ankles upright. The inability to lock the knees causes the buckling and wobblyness.

I recommend you correct the diet to reach a healthier weight (last rib showing all the others easily felt) and see if that corrects the problem in a couple of months time. If not consider some of the more severe dietary managments for this problem in the article: Diseases: Lameness: Muscle, Tendons: Contracted Tendons.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 3, 1999 - 4:03 pm:

Thanks Dr. O. I can always count on you giving an excellent solution.

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 4, 1999 - 6:47 am:

You're welcome.
DrO

Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 10:35 pm:

Where do I go to read these articles
Tam

Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 8:45 am:

Hello Tam, the location is given in the title. The title given above is Diseases: Lameness: Muscle, Tendons: Contracted Tendons. From the homepage first click on Diseases, then select Lameness, then select Muscle and Tendons, then select Contracted Tendons. This brings you to the Contracted Tendon page. The article is accessed by clicking the articles title and below the articles title is the list of related forum discussions.

Using the navigation frame on the left you can skip several of these steps.
DrO
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