Fizz, I disagree that there is "NO way you can have this condition in your horses and not have it be hereditary." Both my vet and my farrier have said horses can develop stifle problems like this from several environmental factors or simply poor conformation, which, granted, can be hereditary.
There is general agreement now that my Kody was likely not born with this problem- many folks around here own horses of his breeding and apparently none of them have issues. Neither does he have the kind of conformation (straight angles) that usually causes it.
My filly Silverbell's stifle pops in and out of her socket?
Just to clarify Littlehorse2, there is no "socket" for the stifle to pop in and out of. The patella is like our knee cap and the ligaments slid out of the groove on it, or it luxates and the "kneecap" pops out of place. Sockets are technically ball joint arrangements, I believe.
I think. My brain and ability to remember correct terms appear to have already gone to bed tonight.
I'm sorry you're going through this, the exercise program you were given sounds correct although for an older horse I was told lots of straight-line trotting and cantering along with that hill-work. I would definitely delay surgery unless your girl is dragging a leg so badly as to cause damage. Surgery is irreversible and there are other, cheaper, less invasive options to try first. I would also not try ANY of those options except exercise and dietary supplements until she is done growing. Kids go through some pretty bizarre stages!
I applaud you for not wanting to breed this mare.
This is a common problem in minis, more so because a lot of folks think "Oh well, at least I can still breed her!" and there goes another generation with the problem.
Love this girl, let her grow up and see what you have. If she still has the problem and it really affects her, there are plenty of people who would cherish her as a wonderful family pet. Horses like this with problems of their own make wonderful nursing home visitors and theraputic animals! Mares do not have to have babies to be happy, really they don't. But I personally would take a "wait and see" approach before I worried too much. You can always do the surgery later, you can't take it back once it's done.
Leia
P.S.- the health guarantee the guy gave you, is it in writing? It sounds to me like by offering to buy her back (presumably returning your money) he has done all he is obligated to. Health guarantees are usually more of an "if it's wrong, I'll replace it or refund your money" thing then they are an "I'll fix anything that turns out to have been brewing" deal.
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