Stifle Problem!

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE I LOST THE INITIAL E-MAILS ON THIS ISSUE :( BUT TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND, DAVID AND LINDA NOTICED THAT MADELINE WAS HAVING LOCKING IN HER HIND LEGS AND BEING THE WONDERFUL DONKEY PARENTS THEY ARE, THEY OF COURSE LOOKED INTO IT RIGHT AWAY! BESIDES A GRANDMA'S CONCERN FOR MY LITTLE GRAND-DONKEY, AS HER BREEDER I WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, AND ASKED LINDA TO CONFER WITH HER VET AS TO HEREDITY.

LINDA SENT ME A DETAILED E-MAIL WITH ALL THE INFORMATION AFTER THE VET VISIT WHICH I CANNOT FIND AT THIS TIME EITHER :( BUT IT LISTED TREATMENT OPTIONS AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT HEREDITY, WHICH WAS A RELIEF!

LINDA'S E-MAIL AFTER THE VET REPORT:

Yes, its good news it's not hereditary, you'll just have to watch for it in your others as although it's not hereditary it's extreme staight confirmation that can bring it on to the young newbies. Like she said, some will get it and some won't. But yes, it can either correct on its own, but if it does not then you do the injections and that fixes it. But the injections because it has iodine in the solution it stings bad for about 2 days.......it does that as it shrinks the soft tissue and scars it so the fit of the patela meshes with the joints.

When you hear popping sounds in the back legs as they walk, that is a sign it's coming on the newbie. And like I said, it happens around the 9th to 12th month if it's going to happen.......then it can linger till 2 to 2 1/2.

But yes, overall it's good news, it's fixable. Surgery is a option too but is used generally on larger equine, not used on minis unless they have caused severe patela damage. That is why they do not recommend a mini that has this syndrome to continue with it's flaw past the 2 1/2 year mark.

So..........Ms. Madeline will have to continue her trotting daily or at least 3 times a week with us around the neighborhood. And we will have to take her over to Reach 11 at least once to twice a week to trot her in deep sand.......she recommended using one of the arenas or a round pen. And, we are to try to teach her to lunge which she said will be a trick as donkeys do not see why they have to lunge. But we are to try and see if we can get her to do it as that would work well for in the turn-out here at home. She thinks because Madeline is so in tune to us and socialized that she very well might lunge for us as she might think it's a game. So, we shall see.

I hope all this helps you considerably so you will know what to watch for, and what to do if you see one of the newbies getting this syndrome. The stiff legged on the back in walking was visible right around 8 months, then at 9 months you heard the popping as she walked. The stifle sticking on one leg started at 13 months and is still present from time to time at 15 months which is now. And now she is in what is called the worst part of it that will linger as her body finishes the developing stages of soft tissue and muscle in those areas. This is why those supplements I told you about that she has to take are so important now.....as they work to address the soft tissue and muscle/ligaments around those areas.

David and I will be in exceptional shape after we get through all this with Madeline.............keeping her trotting as much as we can, that is for sure. But, luckily she has us, because we will do it for her.

Have a good weekend.........we are riding Cave Creek tomorrow just a day ride. Then coming home in the afternoon to work with Madeline around the neighborhood and see if we can get her to lunge in the turn out.

David and Linda

AS YOU CAN WELL IMAGINE I AM ONE THANKFUL GRANDMA, THAT DAVID AND LINDA ARE SO COMMITTED TO DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR MADELINE!

AND PLEASE, WE WOULD ALL APPRECIaTE ANY PRAYERS YOU WOULD CARE TO SEND FOR A FULL AND EASY RECOVERY FOR MADELINE!!!