Find a good horse shoer or farrier with an excellent knowledge of corrective shoeing. When any horse is shod, the farrier first removes the old shoes and trims the hooves, which grow in the same way as human finger and toe nails, using hoof clippers. Have him cut the inside wall of the back hooves more than the outside wall. This will cause the hooves to rotate outward. When he rasps the hoof after trimming, he should round the front of the hoof to shorten it and help prevent the toe dragging movement that occurs with bad stifles.
Arrange for the farrier to return and check on the shoes regularly. A horse’s shoes are normally replaced every six to eight weeks. The corrective trimming process must be repeated at each visit. Implement a careful exercise program to strengthen the horse’s back legs. An increase in food intake may also help by causing the layer of fat behind the patella to enlarge, making it less likely for the patella to lock up. Surgery is the only other option if the corrective shoeing and exercise do not relieve the stifle problems.
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