That's exactly what I'm wondering if it is. I've never seen a horse with a stifle problem, so not sure what to look for.
Could a vet tell, or is this going to be a guessing game? Would she have to see him when it happens to tell what is wrong?
Becky
I've seen a horse with a stifle problem, and from your description, that's exactly what it sounds like. My old trainer's TB's stifle would lock all the time just like that. He'd hope a few strides, or buck to try to get it unstuck, and then just continue on like nothing happened.
A vet could probably tell, or diagnose it just from what you described.
The vet ought to be able to palpate the knee and observe his gait in hand to see if that's what it is. It's probably a little ouchy. I'll bet it's been brought on by lack of condition like you say. His muscles and tendons have gotten tight and he just needs some long slow work to build him back up. My mare that had the stifle problems had the locking up thing, but she also had trouble going down hill and was uncomfortable with having her hind legs held up and out by the farrier.