When it is recognised that locked stifles are a problem, several ways are available to get your horse back in a good shape, often  without any distressing measures. However, there are a few reasons behind locking of stifles joints. Sometimes it happens because of strain, while many horses have this locking problem right from birth.

For every young horse, it is normal to be able to lock its stifle when standing.This is an important function that works with the halt and check apparatus that allows a horse to stay on its feet while sleeping.

There is a possibility of locking to occur when one of the ligaments in the stifle joint remains hooked over a ridge in the head of femur bone.

In several situations, the horse can flex the joint with little effort to unlock it. However, when the unlocking process is delayed in them, it can cause mild symptoms. And if there is a long delay, it will result in more severe symptoms.

Locked stifles are more likely to appear in ponies, horses and foals who are unfit since their birth.

When a horse suffers with a locked stifle, he may look slightly lame in the hindquarters. Sometimes this problem is overlooked because the cause behind it isn't really apparent. You may see just slight weakness or hesitancy as your stallion responds to the discomfort and toughness.

The horse can appear to stumble or bend under in the back end, especially in downward transitions. Try to canter on different leads in the front and back as you might face trouble in changing leads at the canter. Then hop slightly or fling a back leg out a little.

The colt may have problems working in a circle and drag its toes. This type of symptom is often mistaken due to their bad behaviour.

In several other cases, the hind leg appears to be obviously locked. So when your horse tries to walk, he may stretch the leg out behind him, kick backwards or step oddly to get the stifle joint unlocked.

Sometimes horses are not able to stretch their leg out of the locked joint and start dragging the leg behind them. As a result, the leg may snap back into normal position, and you may even hear a click when this happens.

Regular exercise and balanced hoof trims is surely a good way to help your horse. It will help them to become stronger and solve the stifle problem. Lack of fitness can weaken their muscles and ligaments which can invite symptoms of locking.

Your farrier can roll its toe of the hoof with a correct pair of shoes and pads. These accessories can be applied to help the hoof break over before the locking occurs.

When these solutions don’t respond to conditioning and corrective farrier work, surgery may be required to perform by a veterinarian. During the surgery, the ligament is fixed by splitting which will make small incisions through it. This surgical method removes the locked joints.

Horses should be made fit gradually as the lack of muscular tone may contribute to locked stifles.

Trail riding with slowly increasing distance and speed over several weeks is another thing that will help your horse become fitter and stronger.

Cavelleti and pole work can also make your horse pick up its feet. When lunging or riding your horse on a slightly inclined plain, make sure it must drive with its hindquarters.

In the beginning, it’s better to start slowly and not to overwork your horse. It would be more appropriate if you discuss the strategy with your veterinarian.

In several cases, a locked stifle is very obvious in steeds. They will struggle to move the entire leg normally. So, radiography is often the first method which can reveal if lameness is caused by something other than a stifle problem.

When the case is serious, the colt may need a veterinarian to examine the causes, and perhaps operate the joint to see if they can manually induce the unlocking.

Apart from that, a painkiller like Butazone (if suggested by pet care experts) can be directed to determine if lameness or other symptoms are caused by pain, or if they are bio-mechanical.

After few days have passed, the horse will be good-to-go.

Locked stifles are not so difficult to recognise in horses, and these can be easily determined by above symptoms and causes. Apart from treating this particular disease, horse owners must treat their colts with proper care. They must figure out a balanced diet, right horse clippers, schedule proper exercise and other health essentials to keep them fit and fine always.