How to Walk a Horse After Knee Surgery

The stifle joint in the horse corresponds to the knee joint in man. Actually composed of two joints, the femoropatellar and the femorotibial, equine veterinarians consider this largest joint the horse's weakest because of its location on the animal's hind legs. Veterinarians typically recommend surgery in cases of patellar fractures, ligament ruptures, and when an upward patellar fixation cannot be treated with anti-inflammatory injections. Rehabilitating your horse after stifle surgery requires a period of complete stall rest with months of hand walking before resuming work under saddle, all under your veterinarian's care.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hand walk your horse on a halter and lead rope for 10 minutes twice a day in straight lines or around a large arena for three to four months depending on your veterinarian's recommendation.

    • 2

      Flex the affected joint for 10 minutes twice a day while the horse is tied to a fence or standing in cross ties after hand walking if your animal's patella was fragmented or had lesions.

    • 3

      Increase the amount of walking time by five minutes weekly after three to four months until your horse is walking 30 minutes per period twice a day. The period of rehabilitative hand walking needs to last for six months before working under saddle resumes, according to veterinarians at the Atlanta Equine Clinic.

    • 4

      Begin walking your horse up and down gentle hills around the third or fourth month of rehabilitation with your veterinarian's permission.

    • 5

      Walk your horse under saddle at 10-minute increments once a day for one week once your vet allows your animal to work again.