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  Discussion on Swollen right hock - outside aspect.
Author Message
Member:
Lindi

Posted on Monday, Sep 15, 2003 - 2:05 am:

Dear Dr. O.,

I am thinking about purchasing a little 5 month old clydesdale filly who, at 7 days old ran into a barb on a barbed wire fence. The area of injury was small but became infected and she was treated with antibiotics for (I am told), just over one month. The area healed and she was never lame from the injury, but she has been left with a larger hock now. I guess that is scar tissue. The owners said that she hasn't ever shown any signs of lameness and she runs with the rest of the little ones in pasture and doesn't look like she is stiff or has any problems. My question are these, 1. if she hasn't had any lameness from it, what are the chances of her having problems later? 2. As she grows, will she kind of grow into the enlarged area? I mean, will it become less noticeable as she matures?

Thanks in advance for opinion. I should have mentioned, that this filly comes from excellent bloodlines and I am planning to use her for breeding as well as harness.

Linda Cupples
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Sep 15, 2003 - 6:18 am:

Hello Linda,
Without examing the hock to know exactly what structures are involved it is impossible to give an opinion. Even with a good examination it might be hard to accurately prognose the long term effect when the horse is put in to work. I suggest you get a vet out to look and he may even want to take some radiographs if any of the swelling is around a joint capsule.
DrO
Member:
Dres

Posted on Monday, Sep 15, 2003 - 10:31 am:

a thought.. are any of the others in her pasture for sale..? or is this filly being sold at a good price because..

as far as the lump... my experiance has been the lump grows with the horse.. of course i am not talking about the same kind.. but i would say " as she grows the lump will look smaller" .. that never happened.. ! :-(

good luck in your decision.. have a vet take a look.. its a guessing game for sure..

Ann
Member:
Lindi

Posted on Monday, Sep 15, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Dear Dr. O. and Ann,

Thank you both for your answers.

It is hard to get a vet out to examine her as the ranch is in a remote area of Northern Manitoba. The vet makes trips but they are few and far between. I am probably going to just have to hope that there are no problems. I feel somewhat reassured that she didn't have any lameness and has not shown any signs of it even though she is as active as each of the other youngsters.

In answer to your question Ann, she has excellent breeding and is selling for a low price because of this thickened area. I am thinking that if nothing else, she may be a nice brood mare. The owners feel that because it is noticeable, they have to sell for a lower price. This particular breeding facility have provided clydesdales to the Budweiser people. I know that the breeding is solid. I have chosen a second one from the same herd who is sound and also with excellent breeding. She costs a lot more!

I am attempting to upload two pictures of her so you can both see a view of her right hock, inner and outer views.

Thanks again. I really appreciate your responses.

Linda

Clydesdale filly - rt hock (outer)Clydesdale filly - rt hock (inner)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003 - 8:41 am:

A handsome colt, could you get us good pictures approximately 4 by 6 in size of just the hock from all four sides and then one that emphasizes the swelling? You may have to upload the pictures one post at a time to not exceed our limits on image file size (64k) for any one post.
DrO
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