02/07/2025
💥 Is Your Horse Showing Signs of Stifle Discomfort?
The stifle joint is one of the most important and complex joints in a horse’s body. It’s similar to the human knee and plays a key role in movement, strength, and balance—especially during transitions, collection, and jumping.
🧠 Signs Your Horse May Have a Stifle Issue:
– ❗ Dragging the hind toes—especially on harder ground
– ❗ Reluctance to pick up or maintain canter, particularly one lead
– ❗ Sticky or unbalanced transitions (e.g. trot to canter, or halt to trot)
– ❗ Hesitation on circles or uneven ground
– ❗ Swelling or heat around the stifle area (in more advanced cases)
If these sound familiar, your horse may be compensating for discomfort—and that can lead to secondary issues in the back, hocks, or SI joint if left unaddressed.
🛠️ How Physiotherapy Helps
💪 Targeted Strengthening:
We focus on key muscles like the quadriceps and glutes to support and stabilise the stifle. This improves joint alignment and function.
🧘 Mobilisation & Stretching:
Gentle, controlled movements help maintain full range of motion and reduce soft tissue tension around the joint.
⚖️ Balance & Proprioception Training:
Using poles, balance pads, hill work, and other rehab tools, we help retrain the neuromuscular system—essential for injury prevention and performance.
🩺 Don’t wait for the problem to worsen.
Stifle issues can often be managed conservatively with the right combination of physiotherapy, exercise modification, and support.
📆 Book a physio assessment today and let’s get your horse feeling stronger and more comfortable.
📩 Send us a message to book in.
