This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Overview of Diseases of the Hock (Tarsus) »
  Discussion on Sore Hocks/Injury or Not?
Author Message
New Member:
Jend

Posted on Friday, Jan 28, 2005 - 2:51 pm:

Hi Dr. O,

I have a 9 yr. old QH who has seemed sore/stiff since late Fall. He started being stiff behind and even twistind behind when jogging and especially at the lope, really as soon as you put a leg on him. He would even crow hop & swap leads when going to the right at the lope. He would also kind of "shuffle". Now, he did have issues loping to the right (which has always been his worse side) when younger, but has since had much professional training and has been consistently good for a long time. He was stiff on the lunge line & not connecting correctly in his gaits also.
He was worse on under saddle, but would improve both under saddle and on the lunge line the more you warmed him up. I have noticed that he has to be warmed up much more than he used to.
After warming him up he would almost "smooth" out & settle in.
My vet gave him a thorough lameness exam & thought that both hock were sore, but right worse than left & this was also causing back soreness.
After an unsuccessful round of bute, methylcarbs & adequan injections, my vet injected his hocks.
That was 8 weeks ago. His overall movement has seemed to improve, mostly on the lunge line. He does still have to be warmed up awhile (but it is very cold out). He still seems stiff & "ouchy" (as my trainer describes it) under saddle. My tack etc.., all fits fine & teeth are good. To me, he still seems off on the right hind, (some may think I am too cautios)but it seems almost intermittent. Like when I let him run fast on the lunge line, he seems to kind of put it down & pick it up real quick.
FYI-All tack fits fine, teeth good etc..
We have not done any kind of x-rays. My vet has said that the next step would be to block up his leg.
There is another vet in my area who specializes in movement, wasn't sure if I should have him evaluate.
It is very frustrating because although my horse does not appear "lame", he just seems "off" to me.

Also, he is grinding his teeth while on crossties (again intermittently), which he has done only a few times on & off in the past.

I would appreciate yout advice!

Thanks,
Jen

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jan 30, 2005 - 9:07 am:

"Off" is "lame" Jen, the only question is where. Your actual course should be determined by your goals. If your horse cannot currently meet your goals, or if this is worsening so that you can see that will soon be the case, you should pursue this.

If your veterinarian can clearly see which leg is lame let him attempt to block it out. If he is having trouble clearly identifying the leg (suggested by your comment that he believes he is off in both) then refer to someone who can see this more clearly. He may be off in both but you have to start with a leg that is clearly the worse. For more on this see Equine Diseases » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC