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  Discussion on Hock Bursitis Synovialitis
Author Message
New Member:
cheryle

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 4:14 am:

I have an arabian stallion that has been in reining training from october to august of last year. He developed a swelling of his right rear hock with flexion test of 5 at first now 2+. He has had legend monthly Platinum performance, Hyvisc, depo-meDrOl, Naprosyn, surpass, and rest for the period of time. Continues to see improvement with rest and repeat legend. His x-rays and ultra sound show fluid of the medial bursa at the worst, with all joint spaces and tendons well preserved with out bone spurs or ruptures. The most significant improvement has been recent adding neoprene hock boots and Back on Track boots. I see you recommend the Professional choice boots. I did find them and they recommend removal every 4-6 hours. Our problem is not sure if the surpass or the boots caused small ulcerations on the inside bend of the hock with loss of hair. He also has what appears as swelling of the inner tendon from the boots. He was in a small paddock of 30x 30 with boot tighten but no inner covering to protect from. Unfortunately these boots do not have instructions on length of wear or how to use. He loves his boots and you can see the support of the boot gives him great support. He has vastly improved with the boot wearing but now with the ulcerations (Superficial and healing well) we are afraid to leave them on for any length of time. This is a young stallion with great potential if we can get a handle on this. Please help
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2008 - 7:30 am:

Welcome cheryle,
The Surpass under the boot would cause an increase amount of skin irritation so I would look at both as contributing to the cause. If a NSAID is indicated I would consider switching to oral medication. Certainly a poor fitting boot or a boot left on too long could do this also so you are going to have to experiment with different combinations of treatment and times. Until the ulcers heal completely you will probably need to leave the boots off altogether. I found for some horses putting of a light wrap of cotton padding under a boot prevented irritation.
DrO
New Member:
cheryle

Posted on Friday, Jan 2, 2009 - 5:21 am:

Dr. O
thank you for the advice. Kaseyns hock has reduced in bursa swelling both medial and laterally probably less than 10%-20% in size than the right. Now the question is do we inject him with steroids and try to work him or do we continue to let him rest and start to hand walk progressing to the trot and see where the injury goes.
He is in a small turn out area of 30 x30 so can kick up his heels when he wants. When we use his hock boots he appears to really like them and shows it in the athletic way he gets around in such a small area. Unfortunately we leave them on no longer than 10 hours a day due to advisement from company. Or we can take them off every 4 hours for 20 minutes and return them on. We are working people and that is not feasible for us.

I want to do right by this stallion for his future in reining and working cow is unlimited by what we have seen so far. I appreciate your insite.
Cheryle
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jan 2, 2009 - 8:50 am:

Cheryle, we have an article that covers the treatment of hock synovitis (what I think you are trying to describe above) in detail. This is often referred to as "Bog Spavin". See Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Tibiotarsal Synovitis: Bog Spavin.
DrO
Member:
dzaccheo

Posted on Sunday, Jan 4, 2009 - 12:13 pm:

Hello,
I am also using the back on track boots for arthritis with my horse and have found them extremly effective. Swelling has reduced in his hock that is enlarged and his comfort level is much improved. Even the farrier commented how much more comfortable my horse is when shoeing behind. I leave the boots on for up to 24 hours and have had no rubbing problems, however my horse is boxed. When he is out in the paddock, I remove them.
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