What Do You Do If Your Horse Has Bone Spavin?
It is best for a horse with bone spavin to be exercised daily. Preferably, this should be ridden or driven work, as lunging exercise places uneven stress on the joint. Pasture turnout may not be beneficial if the horse does not move much.
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 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.
Do bog Spavins go away?
If your horse is young, bog spavin will often resolve itself with rest and compression bandaging. However, surgical drainage of the joint may be necessary followed by anti-inflammatory injections directly into the joint.
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.
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 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 hock injections work?
Hock injections can be a short-term solution, but are not a cure, in cases of advanced progression of joint damage. Injections are also sometimes done to temporarily anesthetize a joint to make a definitive diagnosis in evaluating lameness.
How do you know if your horse needs hock injections?
Problems in the hock joints tend to creep up gradually, and early signs can be subtle: Your horse may have an on-again off-again lameness, with or without noticeable heat or swelling. He may start out stiff but seem to “work out of it” as he warms up. He may resist going downhill or backing off the trailer.
How long do hock injections last?
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 do you treat wingles in horses?
There is usually also heat, pain and/or lameness associated with these horses. Initial treatment should include box rest, cold therapy (e.g. ice packs/wraps) and supportive stable bandages while advice is sought.
What age do 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.
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.
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.
How do you treat swollen horse hocks?
Rest and recovery. In the acute phase of injury, shortly after the swelling develops, allow the horse to rest. 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.
How do you treat hock injuries in horses?
For OA in the horse’s hock joint, the usual course of action from your vet is the injection of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, directly into the hock joint (intra-articular injections). Your horse will need to have a couple of days rest afterwards and then slowly ease back into work.
What happens if you incorrectly inject a horse?
Reactions at the site are the most common and can range from slight swelling to severe stiffness and even injection abscesses; they are usually short-lasting, though if an abscess forms it will need to be treated.
Why do horses need stall rest after hock injections?
Immediately after injections, your horse should be stalled overnight in order to keep the bandages dry and in place. The bandages should stay on overnight or for at least 4 hours. In the week following the injections, your horse will have gradually increased turnout and exercise.
Do horses need to stay in after hock injections?
Stall rest ONLY for 24 hours after injection. After 24 hours, turnout is permitted. We recommend not exercising/ riding the horse on the day of treatment as well as one day following treatment (i.e. a total of two days).
How do I know if my horse has hock pain?
Common signs of hock problems can include:
- Shortened hind end gait.
- Reluctance to engage from the hind end.
- Reduced spring over jumps.
- Shifting weight when standing still.
- Resistance to going downhill.
- Stiffness that resolves during warm-up.
- Heat and swelling in the hock area.
Are horses sore after hock injections?
The presence of medication in your horse’s joints can result in mild discomfort that can last for several days. Therefore, we suggest giving your horse some time off prior to resuming normal exercise. This will allow the medication to take effect as well as the secondary problems (such as back soreness) to subside.
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