The Atlanta Equine Clinic The Atlanta Equine Clinic The Atlanta Equine Clinic

 

TREATMENT FOR PROXIMAL PATELLAR HESITATION

STEP TWO:

This article highlights a few things that you can do as part of the second phase of treatment for a horse with proximal patellar hesitation (also known as delayed patellar release or biomechanical interference of the hind stay-apparatus).

Hind Stay-Apparatus

Once your horse gets fit, there are several scenarios that could evolve:

• The problem eventually resolves once your horse gets very fit. No further therapy is required, although we would need to continue cross-training/ fitness training your horse approximately twice weekly to maintain adequate distal patellar (stifle) function.

• Your horse's performance improves with fitness training, but behavioral resistance persists as a result of mental frustration. In other words, your horse resents being asked to work. In some cases, we elect to treat horses (most notably geldings and stallions) exhibiting persistent behavioral resistance (associated with stifle interference) with estrogen. As you know, estrogen is a naturally-occurring hormone that is present in all horses (both male and female). Learn more about estrogen therapy HERE.

• Your horse gets very fit but the stifle problem persists. In these cases, we often elect surgical intervention (STEP THREE). At The Atlanta Equine Clinic, we combine two surgical techniques in an attempt to alleviate stubborn cases of proximal patellar hesitation or intermittent upward patellar fixation. Both techniques are performed in the standing (sedated) horse in the field (e.g. at the barn).

Why does PPH get worse when it's cold?

If you’ve already tried the treatment strategies highlighted in STEP ONE and STEP TWO, then PROCEED TO STEP THREE.

If you haven't yet tried the treatment strategies highlighted in previous steps, then we would suggest that you GO BACK TO STEP ONE.