How Does A Horse Get Spavin?

Causes of Bone Spavin in Horses Conformational defects that affect the lower hind legs, such tarsus valgus and sickle-hind legs, can lead to bone spavins. Poor trimming or shoeing can force the equine feet into an unnatural conformation, leading to bone spavins in horses with good natural conformation.

What causes bone spavin in horses?

Types of activities, such as dressage, show jumping, hunting and racing, which require much hock flexion or where there may be excessive concussive forces acting on the hock joints, may contribute to uneven or repeated loading of the lower hock joints, and thus bone spavin.

How do you treat 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.

Is spavin hereditary in horses?

It is thought to be caused by repeated compression and rotation of the small bones within the hock; although in some breeds e.g. Icelandic there may also be a hereditary component. Horses with poor hock conformation e.g. sickle or cow hocks are more prone to develop the condition.

How is bone spavin diagnosed?

A thorough lameness exam, coupled with the horse’s history, aids in making a diagnosis. Ultimately, radiographs of the affected joints can confirm bone spavin. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the anticipated future use of the horse.

Can you correct cow hocks in horses?

The deformity can be corrected in foals. If it persists in a mature horse, particularly a racehorse with other conformational abnormalities, such as sickle hocks, abnormal forces or load occur in the tarsal region, predisposing the horse to distal hock joint pain, curb, and proximal metatarsal lameness.

Can you ride a horse with fused hocks?

Once the hocks are fused, any discomfort or lameness tends to be eliminated, and the horse should usually be able to carry on in normal work.

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.

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.

What does Spavine mean?

spavined SPAV-ind adjective. 1 : affected with swelling. 2 : old and decrepit : over-the-hill. Examples: The team is sadly spavined, and the new coaching staff will have to look to rebuild over the next couple of seasons.

When is it time to put down an arthritic horse?

When is the right time to put a horse down?

1. old age, when their condition has deteriorated to such an extent they no longer have an acceptable quality of life.
2. serious injury.
3. a disease or illness that cannot be treated.

What is the difference between bone spavin and bog 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 long does it take for a horse hock 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.

How do you know if your horse needs hock injections?

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 do you treat swollen horse hocks?

Cold-hosing and anti-inflammatory treatments, such as phenylbutazone (commonly termed bute) or meloxicam, will help in the early stages, in consultation with your vet. Bandaging can bring swelling down, but the hock is a difficult area to bandage properly and skin sores are a risk.

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.

How often do horses need their hocks injected?

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 can I strengthen my 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.

How long should a horse have off after hock injections?

Horses that have joints medicated with corticosteroids will often have 3 days complete rest followed by 3 days light work before returning to their normal training regime.

Do horses hocks fuse naturally?

Natural Fusion: The horse can be worked with pain management while the joint fuses naturally. This can be a slow, painful process and there is no telling how long it will take. It is estimated less than 25% of hocks will fuse naturally.

At what age does a horses hocks fuse?

around nine to 11 years
Most often, bone spavin is first identified in middle-aged horses between around nine to 11 years of age.