Don't get too discouraged... horses dealing with this problem ALWAYS get worse during colder times of the year. We can presume that this regression is due to the following:

• The frequency and/or intensity of fitness training generally decreases during the winter due to cold temperatures and rainfall. For horses that winter in Florida, the climate is permitting but there is a complete lack of hills on which to work.

• The colder temperature reduces bloodflow to the muscles and ligaments intimately involved in the distal patellar apparatus. Decreased bloodflow means decreased ligament and muscle tone which increases the horses predisposition for upward patellar fixation. Horses have an amazing ability to shunt blood to the core of the body and away from the periphery (limbs) during cold weather (obviously to stay warm). This normal physiologic response makes stifle function more challenging in the winter time.