What is the hock of a horse?

What is the hock of a horse?

The hock links the lower leg bones to the tibia in a horse’s upper leg. It consists of four basic joints and multiple bones and ligaments. The upper joint (the tibiotarsal joint) is responsible for extensions and the majority of the hock mobility. The bottom three joints handle the remaining movement (about 10%).

What causes hock problems in horses?

While several conditions can affect hock joints, for adult horses (especially performance horses) the problem is often degenerative joint disease (DJD), or arthritis. DJD typically develops in the lower joints of the hock, which come under a lot of stress when your horse works. Conformation can contribute.

How do you treat sore hocks in horses?

For OA in the horse’s hock joint, the usual course of action 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.

How long do horse hocks take to fuse?

six to nine months
Due to the low risk of complications and good outcomes in many cases, this is the preferred technique of joint fusion for many surgeons. Despite this, it usually takes six to nine months for the joint to fuse and for lameness to improve sufficiently for the horse to return to work.

What does it mean when a horse’s hocks are fusing?

Fusion occurs when the juncture between the ends of two bones transforms from a mobile joint into a stable bony bridge, immobilizing that part of the hock. The joints in the lower hock naturally have minimal movement, which means their fusion can potentially relieve pain without inhibiting the horse’s stride.

How often do horses need hock injections?

Like your doctor, most veterinarians are hesitant to inject joints too frequently and, while what constitutes “too frequently” varies among practitioners, most prefer not to inject any one joint more than twice a year.

How do you tell if your horse’s hocks are fusing?

Symptoms of Fusing Joints in Horses

1. Unable to move certain joints or body part such as a limb.
2. Stiffness in the muscles in that area.
3. Lameness of your horse.
4. Pain and swelling of the affected joint.
5. Symptoms from underlying illness, disease, or injury.

Can a horse recover from a fractured hock?

Three horses were destroyed immediately after diagnosis, 2 failed to recover following surgical intervention and one remained lame and was destroyed after 3 months’ rest. Seven horses recovered completely and returned to work following periods of rest ranging from 3 to 9 months.

Can you ride a horse with hock arthritis?

Many horses who are diagnosed with the early stages of arthritis can continue to safely carry riders on level trails and perform other low-impact activities, including some jumping.

Can you ride a horse with a fused hock?

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.

How much do horse hock injections cost?

I would guess, based on my personal history of injecting joints, the average cost would be around $250-300 per joint. So, if you have a horse with bilateral hock osteoarthritis, then the cost could be upwards of $500.