Sore knee

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lanim

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2019
Messages
7
Any suggestions for a stiff/sore front knee on our 1500+ 4h steer. Fair is in 3 weeks. He's finished so he is on hay only now trying to lose a little weight to help ease his load. Thanks all.
 

S_W

Active member
Joined
Mar 29, 2025
Messages
27
It could be that he is too heavy now for his bones. Maybe his bedding is too hard? What is your pen on? I would keep him away from anything too hard. That includes concrete, gravel, and packed super hard dirt.

He should have his bedding overtop of dirt. That seems to be the only way they are comfortable. I personally keep my steers on a foot of hog fuel.

He could have been sleeping wrong too, or injured it playing around. My steer sleeps with his front legs straight out, and then is super sore when he gets up. After a bit it leaves though.

I have heard of some people giving their steers joint supplements. They don't sell them where I'm from, so I don't know how they work. Something anti-inflammatory would greatly help him, but I can't think of one that he could have, being so close to his slaughter date.

Make sure to walk him a snails pace in the show ring so that it doesn't look like he can't support his weight too.
 

lanim

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2019
Messages
7
His knee is better overall. Now it seems like he's just sore overall so we made a softer bed and hose his joints down 2x daily, he walks around his pen. Does anyone think walking him more would help? Some told us to not walk him more. Any kind of natural cattle supplement for joints that could safely be given? Thanks for all the help.
 

vc

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,877
Location
So-Cal
You can also try just applying cold water to the joints and see if it helps, run cold water on the areas for about 5 minutes each. Optiwize my help, do not know if you have enough time. Are his knees starting to buckle any, when they stand you will see the knee kind of give out to the side a little?
 
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