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  Discussion on Bad hock?
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Member:
Nadia

Posted on Sunday, Jan 9, 2005 - 8:51 pm:

I have a 14 YO TB. 2 years ago, an equine orthopedic vet x-rayed 3 of his joints - RF knee and both hocks. Diagnosis - R hock: active jack spavin. L hock: DJD & active jack spavin R knee: osteo arthritis + kissing lesions 3 distal carpal bone and proximal metacarpal + 3rd carpal bone has slab fracture. He was on stall rest for 3 months - then light walking for another 3 months. By July, he was out running around in his pasture all day. Last year, had x-rays done (different vet), had hocks injected. Ocassionally while trotting, it feels like his back end DrOps. No one is ever present (or watching) at that particular second, so no one sees what happened. But it feels like he's going to do down. He recovers, but concerns me. About 3-4 months ago, his left hind fetlock was rather swollen and warm - I didn't notice it as his hair is a bit long there - not sure how long it was swollen. (I think that explained his DrOpping hind end?) Had vet come out, possible bowed tendon. He was on stall rest for about a week, rear legs wrapped, bute, swelling went down slighty, but not much. I then took him to the hospital where they could do an ultrasound. Tendon was not bowed (good). In watching him trot, vet explained that his right hock was hurting, he's not putting much weight on it nor evenly, and his left hind is swung beneath him, taking the brunt of his weight. Both hocks were injected. Small paddock rest for a week, then back to his usual turnout. The swelling has now gone down, almost back to normal. While I don't see any obvious lameness, he seems off while I ride him. He give me alot of tail swishing, foot stomping, cuts corners - almost 180 degree turns - like something is really bothering him. It is winter where I live so I assume his stiffness, grumpiness is due to arthritis. Can I feel good about pushing him to exercise or could I be doing more damage?

Thank you.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jan 10, 2005 - 7:18 am:

Hello Nadia,
It seems apparent from your post that you don't feel good about pushing your horse further when you already think may be displaying signs of pain when you ride. From here there is no way we can tell whether you are doing more damage than good with your riding. The question you must pursue is, "does your horse seem to be getting lamer faster at this level of exercise than with less exercise". For more on this and ways to help your horse deal with arthritis see, Equine Diseases » Lameness » Joint & Bone Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview. There is a topic on treatment and dealing with long term management of arthritis.
DrO
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