Offset knees

[RipSpark]

There is a filly at the barn I have been galloping for the past year that has offset knees. I might be getting her in a few months and I was wondering if this would create a problem if I wanted to event her. She would make a nice lesson horse or lower level competition horse, so if she isn't able to compete higher that is okay by me. I don't want to put stress on her that isn't needed. I have looked around on the internet some, but not getting much useful information.

[IrisGreen]

Do you have pictures of her? I guess it would depend on how offset they were and if she seemed bothered after a work out. I don't know if I have seen pictures of a horse with offset knees before. Can you post a pic, that would help educate me to know what it looks like.

I don't have any advice as far as if she can compete or not. When you ride her does she ever get soar or act like it bothers her? I think you should go with your gut and if you feel it might not be a good thing for her to compete in Eventing then it might be a good idea to just keep her a lessons horses or lower level competition horse.

I think it's great that you are trying to find what will best suit her and be comfortable for her in the long run. Some people just push a horse and don't care that there not suited for it or that it will brake them down before there time. It's good your taking her conformation into account when picking a career for her :)

[RipSpark]

I don't have any pics of her knees. I will take some tomorrow when I ride her. She does have a few issues, but I don't think they come completely from her knees. A lot were due to the way she was trimmed. I have breezed her dozens of times and never had her come back sore or anything. One of my concerns is the impact of landing after a jump. It seems like that would cause extreme stress on her legs because of the way she is built.

Thanks, yeah I just want to do what is best for her. :) She is such a sweet heart. She doesn't ever mean to do anything wrong.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I researched a lot on knee problems a few years back when I bought a filly that was buckkneed. What I read was that off-set knees will cause problems later depending on use of the horse. I think artheritis is a sure thing. :(

[shewasmyshadow]

I have off-set knees and there's arthritis in them already and I'm only 26. :( My chiropractor said she could help it a bit, but it would always be there. No idea about horses, though.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

It will always be there with a horse also, they're born that way. It's a conformation fault.

[Tiz]

It depends, RS. There are many degrees of "offset", in my experience.

[RipSpark]

Sorry I wasn't able to get pics. I was gone this weekened and this morning I was running late. No time for pics ;) I will get some though! Either tomorrow or Wed.

[RipSpark]

I got a few pics but they aren't very good. It shows a little I guess. I just snapped them with my phone after I tacked her. The stall is so dark so they didn't come out too great. I didn't have anyone to hold her for the pics.

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/RipSpark44/blindy1.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/RipSpark44/blindyrf.jpg

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n464/RipSpark44/blindy.jpg