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  Discussion on Clicking Hocks
Author Message
Member:
Sefiroth

Posted on Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 - 8:36 pm:

New horse, new problem. I was given a 22yr old registered QH gelding. He's on the thin side, probably between a 3 and 4. He had the same owner for the last 15 years, and probably not the best of care. I've had him brought up to date on his shots, teeth floated (first time in 10 years!) and the farrier is coming out on Wednesday.

I rode the old man today (for the first time for me, 1st time in the past 2 years for him) about 45 minutes, just walking and a little trotting around the 15 acre pasture. At the walk, on level ground his hocks make an intermittent click/popping sound during the whole duration of the ride. I didn't notice it at the trot or when going at a slight incline up or down. When asked to go down a steeper incline he was somewhat hesitant with his back end, and I didn't push it as I was riding bareback! He other wise appeared 100% sound. I only heard the clicking while on his back as well.

I tried doing a search for click, clicking, pop, popping, and hocks but only came up with one discussion which didn't seem to apply here.

I was just wondering if it could be simply a sign of old age, a precursor to something worse, or nothing to worry about? My former older horse's hocks clicked on occasion but not nearly as frequently as this guy's and especially not once he was warmed up. I'll be interested to see if it goes away or worsens as I get him in better shape.
Dollar
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2004 - 9:47 am:

Hello Sharon as this is a often discussed problem so I was surprised you could not find something. The problem I ran into was so many returns I could not tell what was relevant or not. When I added the term "sound" to the search, relevant posts became evident. Clicking sound hock gave me these 3 returns:

1. Archived Discussions: Equine Diseases: Lameness: Diseases of Joints : Discussions on Diseases of Joints not covered by the above: Clicking Stiffle
2. Equine Diseases: Lameness: Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb: Overview of Diseases of the Hock (Tarsus): Clicking Hocks
3. Member's Services members_only: Past Newsletters: November 1999

My concern is not the sound but the reluctance to negotiate the hill. If he has not been examined for soundness, I would have this done.
DrO
Member:
Sefiroth

Posted on Friday, Sep 3, 2004 - 8:01 pm:

Since Dollar now has shoes on, and I can ride him down the gravel road to get to the real trails, I took him on a real trail ride today. His hocks still clicked but there was no reluctance to go down or up hill. I was actually quite impressed with how well he went for not really having been ridden the last two years. I think the previous reluctance was due more to barn sourness, as the hill mentioned was right behind the barn. The farrier however mentioned he seemed very stiff in his both front knees when he put the shoes on however. Looks like its time to read up on joint suppliments!

Thanks again for a wonderful site Dr. O!
~Sharon
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2004 - 11:14 am:

Hello Sharon,
Did Dollar have shoes on all fours or just his fronts?
Susan B.
ps. Dollar has near identical face markings as my boy .
Member:
Sefiroth

Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2004 - 2:15 pm:

Susan, Dollar now has shoes on all four feet. His color and facial markings are also very very similar to my first horse as well!
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2004 - 2:56 pm:

Thanks Sharon . It sounds like Dollar has found a good home with you. It is quite likely that the popping/clicking sound you hear is not giving him any pain in the hocks. I have a knee that does that and so far no pain . This is only evident going up and down stairs. Let us know how the shoeing and joint supplements do for you. These things might not be evident for a couple of months, but it is always interesting to know what other people do for their horses in this situation.

Cheers,
Susan B.
Member:
Onehorse

Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2004 - 4:01 pm:

Sharon:

If you're going to investigate joint supplements check out U.S. Animal Nutritionals. I have used several supplements (some prescription) but I have had incredible success with one of their products called Joint Discovery, a glucosimine supplement with other active ingredients. They even have a product for older horses called Joint Discovery II. Check them out at:

www.usanimalnutritionals.com

I find them extremely helpful. In addition to the Joint Discovery, I also use something akin to Adequan (when I say something akin, it's the same product but a generic that I get from the Equine Hospital nearby which is so much less expensive!). My horse is 18, his hocks click from time to time, but he's so much 'springier' since the Joint Discovery.

Glad to hear the shoes have helped. (I have no affiliation with U.S. Animal Nutritionals ... just a happy customer.)
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