Lame Mare Near Long Ash

 

We have received a number of calls regarding this mare near Long Ash. She has been reported as she seems to be lame and having difficulty keeping up with her herd, she seemed to be distressed and has been seen calling frantically. Our welfare assistant has been to assess this mare on two occasions and both times she has been slightly lame but does not seem to be in any distress. She has been with a group of ponies grazing happily both times.

She is, however, slightly lame and seems quite stiff. Her owners have been out to assess her and feel she is in fit condition to stay with her herd, they feel it would distress her more to load her onto a trailer and move her. They will monitor her over the next few weeks, we will also be monitoring this mare. If her condition becomes worse we will ask for her to be taken off the moor.

We think she may have a sticky stifle joint, which is why sometimes she looks extremely lame and unable to walk comfortably. When a sticky stifle joint becomes trapped the locking mechanism of the leg kicks in and it could look to some people like the leg is broken or unable to take the weight of the animal. Usually the joint will pop back into place and the pony will be a little stiff, if it continues a small operation can be performed to cut the tendon and freeing up the joint.