Case Study: Emilou’s Sticky Stifle and the Power of PEMF
Meet Emilou
This is Emilou, my very first pony as a kid. Emilou has always had a sticky stifle — also called a locking stifle — a condition where the stifle (similar to the human knee) intermittently locks or catches during movement. Since she hasn’t been in as much work recently, the issue has become more noticeable, making walking and trotting feel mechanical, restricted, or uneven.
What is a Sticky (or Locking) Stifle?
A sticky or locking stifle occurs when the horse’s patella (kneecap) fails to release smoothly during motion. Normally, the stifle has a locking mechanism that allows a horse to stand comfortably without using much muscle effort. In some horses, this mechanism can “stick” when they try to move, causing the leg to hesitate, catch, or lock. Even horses who have always had a sticky stifle may show more pronounced symptoms if they’ve been out of regular work, are stiff, or have tension in the surrounding muscles. Over time, this can affect comfort, gait, and performance.
Before Bodywork
During our assessment, Emilou’s gait showed clear signs of hind-end restriction:
Walk:
Right hind occasionally “sticks” instead of stepping forward smoothly
Short strides with minimal overtracking
Rigid pelvis
Slight hollowness in the topline, indicating tension
Trot:
Inconsistent rhythm with visible hitching in the right stifle
Short, choppy strides with limited flexion in stifle and hock
More weight carried on the forehand
Overall, her movement was restricted and compensatory, with tension throughout her hindquarters and topline.
The Approach
For Emilou, I performed a full-body MagnaWave (PEMF) session, tailored to her specific needs. This helped relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and release tension throughout her body — including her stifles, hindquarters, and sacroiliac region — supporting overall mobility and comfort.
After Bodywork
Following the session, Emilou showed noticeable improvements:
Walk:
Hind end moved more freely
Stifles released smoothly with less hesitation
Longer strides with better tracking
Softer, more connected topline
Trot:
Rhythm became consistent, nearly even two-beat pattern
Hitching in the stifle was almost gone
Longer, more ground-covering strides with improved flexion in stifle and hock
Better weight distribution and pelvic mobility
These changes suggest increased range of motion, reduced muscular tension, improved proprioception, and overall comfort and alignment.
Why This Matters
A sticky or locking stifle can impact a horse’s comfort, performance, and confidence. Even horses who have always had this condition can benefit from targeted bodywork, especially if they’ve been out of regular work. Emilou’s case is a great example of how MagnaWave (PEMF) therapy can help release tension, support freer movement, and improve hind-end coordination — sometimes after just one session!
In addition, PEMF will be a valuable tool for ongoing maintenance, helping Emilou keep her stifle less sticky, maintain mobility, and prevent compensatory tension from building in other areas of her body.
