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Discussion on Fused fetlock
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Member:
Bblack
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 16, 2003 - 7:09 pm:
I went today to take a look at a new horse my client just brought home. The horse is about 8 years old and was rescued by a local organization. He has a number of old scars, including along his back pastern where I was told he was restrained by being chained to a post by that back leg. The scarring supports that story. The horse interacts with humans well considering what he has apparently gone through.
He also has a large scare across the front side of his front, left fetlock area. That fetlock joint is fused and does not bend. The scaring goes halfway around the leg on both sides, and is wide, indicating to me that the wound was not sewed up or attended to by a vet. The horse moves pretty well despite his reluctance to have his feet, especially the backs, picked up to be trimmed. But we made great progress with that today and I predict I will be able to trim him in few days without it turning into an event.
I would like everyoneÕs opinion is whether or not the horse should be subjected to the extra weight of a rider, given the fused fetlock.
Thanks.
Billy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 17, 2003 - 9:21 am:
Hello Billy,
The fetlock joint is probably not fused (arthrodesed) in the strict sense. I suspect the ligaments around the joint have scarred in and lost their elasticity resulting in a fetlock with decreased flexion, maybe remarkably decreased flexion.
Whether you should attempt to ride this horse should be advised by someone who can examine the horse with experience in these matters. Some horses with decreased fetlock flexion are ridable at reduced athletic endeavors, but an accurate appraisal and prognosis will depend on the degree of impairment, which structures are involved and radiographic evaluation. Note, the problems are not all on the horse side: these type horses have a propensity to trip.
DrO
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