Does My Horse Have Bone Spavin?

Signs of Bone Spavin Some horses may become uncomfortable on one lead in particular, or may demonstrate stiffness walking downhill. Horses being used for jumping often refuse to jump. In many cases lameness worsens, becoming more obvious and consistent.

What are symptoms of bone spavin in horses?

Signs of bone spavin vary according to the severity of the disease and could include:

• Lameness.
• Joint swelling that lasts for more than two weeks.
• Excessive synovial fluid.
• Persistent pain or stiffness around the joint.
• Pain when the hock is flexed.
• Heat around the joints.

What is the difference between bog spavin and bone spavin?

Bog spavin should not be treated lightly, and it is best to have a veterinarian examine the horse to find the cause, even if the horse does not appear lame. Unlike bone spavin, bog spavin does not show any changes to the bone itself.

How do I know if my horse has hock pain?

Common signs of hock problems can include:

1. Shortened hind end gait.
2. Reluctance to engage from the hind end.
3. Reduced spring over jumps.
4. Shifting weight when standing still.
5. Resistance to going downhill.
6. Stiffness that resolves during warm-up.
7. Heat and swelling in the hock area.

Can a horse recover from a bone spavin?

Many horses suffering from bone spavin will return to soundness and normal work but it can take six months to two years for full recovery in some cases. Some affected horses are left with a residual lameness or gait abnormality and are retired or resume work at a lower level.

How do you treat bone spavin in horses?

Treatment for bone spavin, being a form of arthritis, aims to reduce pain either by reducing inflammation or reducing movement in the joint(s). In some cases there is a good response with anti-inflammatory medication such as phenylbutazone, while continuing exercise.

What does bog spavin look like on horse?

The most obvious sign of bog spavin is an enlargement of the tarsocrural joint on both sides of the hock. The swellings are lower than those of ‘thoroughpin’ which are seen at the point of the hock. The swellings may fluctuate and if pressure is put on one side of the swelling the other side will enlarge further.

How long does it take for horses hocks to fuse?

Fusion typically occurs between 8-10 months following MIA introduction into the affected joint(s). Once fused, the distal tarsal joints are no longer a source of pain or lameness. If you have any questions regarding Hock Fusion in the horse please call our office at (678) 867-2577.

Should I buy a horse with bog spavin?

Simply having a bog spavin does not preclude a horse from upper-level dressage or other elite competition. But it might signal a weakness, previous problem or injury, and therefore a horse that has a bog spavin should be carefully examined to determine the cause.

How do I know if my horse needs hocks injected?

Signs Your Horse May Need Hock Injections

1. Your horse resists using his hind legs during activities like jumping or collection.
2. Your horse displays behavioral issues when asked to do specific movements.
3. Your horse initially seems stiff but improves with a bit of exercise.
4. Your horse’s stride seems shorter than usual.

How often do horses need hock injections?

Hock injections can be effective anywhere from 6-12 months. If your hock injections are only lasting 8-10 weeks, your horse may be a candidate for laser arthrodesis (surgical fusion).

How quickly do hock injections work?

It may take two weeks to see the full effects. Benefits may last anywhere from weeks to a year or more, depending on how severe the problem is and how hard your horse works. Combining injections with other steps may extend the effects.

Why are my horses hocks clicking?

They may sound alarming, but periodic pops or clicks coming from the joints of a comfortable, sound horse are nothing to fret about. Noisy joints in horses are caused by the same physiological process that allows you to “crack” your knuckles: Stretching of the joint capsule releases gas within the fluid rapidly.

What is dishing in a horse?

Dishing is the term used to describe an inward swing of the hoof with each stride; winging and paddling describe outward-swinging foot flight. Angled “hinges” in the knees, fetlocks or, very rarely, the feet produce these deviations from straight forward-and-back motion.

What does it mean when a horses hocks are fusing?

Fusing begins when the protective cartilage in the joint wears away and synovial fluid production decreases. Bones begin rubbing against each other irritating the bone, promoting bony growth resulting in degenerative joint disease (DJD), or osteoarthritis. Eventually, the bony growth will fuse the bones together.

How can you tell if a horse is foundering?

Signs and Symptoms of Founder

1. Sudden onset of lameness.
2. Resistance to walking or moving.
3. Feeling a pulse and heat in the foot.
4. Shifting weight back and forth between legs.
5. Reluctance to bend the leg.
6. Standing with the legs camped out in front of the body or with all four legs under the body.
7. Laying down more frequently.

Will a capped hock go away?

In most cases, a capped hock is merely a cosmetic blemish. Swelling is usually fluctuant (soft) initially, but can eventually become quite firm with time/ chronicity. In many cases swelling becomes permanent unless it has been successfully treated during the acute stage.

What is a spavin test?

Pelvic limb flexion (“spavin testing”) during active lameness evaluation is an accurate and widely used detector of distal tarsitis. A positive response results in increased lameness and hypermetria following 60-90 seconds of pelvic limb flexion prior to trotting.

What do you do with a bog spavin?

Many horses with bog spavin do not require treatment. Rest and anti-inflammatory treatment such as phenylbutazone (bute) and topical anti-inflammatory gels can be useful in the early stages.

Is bog spavin painful?

It may first appear as a soft swelling or bog spavin or begin as an arthritis. Signs of spavin pain are evident when the affected hind leg is picked up or when the affected leg is made to support all the horse’s weight as the other is picked up. The horse will seem stiff and painful when it is being trimmed or shod.

How do you strengthen a horse’s hocks?

Riding over raised poles (cavaletti) is helpful for developing strength in the horse that has weak stifles or hocks. The slow action of lifting the hind legs up and over the pole will strengthen the Tensor muscle as well as the Long Digital Extensor. Both muscle groups are responsible for the stability of the stifle.