leg jerking

Question
my horses leg jerks when she is walking. it is like it locks up.it gets worst when it is cold. i took her to the vet before and he watched her walk around but didnt do any test. he said it was her tendions in her leg. that the needed to be cut because of the way she was built her tendion were to tight.he said she would go lame if she doesnt have surgery done.she is almost 3 years old. do you think his diagnosis is accurate without no further evaluation other than watching her walk around? if not what would you say could be the cause of it?

Answer
Brandi:
there may be a number of reasons for this. I doubt very much that it has to do with the tendons being too tight. Is it a forelimb or a hindlimb? What breed is this horse?? A simple problem in the patellar ligaments may produce something like this. A neurological or muscle problem could be at work but much less likely. the horse should have a good physical exam with a good examination of the affected leg and a lameness exam too. It doesnt sound like any of this was done. You need an experienced and reputable equine vet. Dont get overly upset about this as yet, this may not be a big issue but you need an accurate and informed diagnosis by a good equine vet. the vet you talked to suggested surgery, but i bet he or she didnt say what surgery needed to be done. You have not recieved an informed and complete assessment, opinion or diagnosis. they may be assuming this is a "stringhalt", which is farily uncommon, but is addressed on occasion with surgery. It is NOT the only explanation and a surgery like that is a pretty bold thing to do without a diagnosis. Get another opinion. good luck.