So my 11 year old gelding and I have been barrel racing together for about 4 years, and he started having mild gate problems after 1 year into it. Every year it got worse and worse and it's gotten to the point where I'm giving him a year off. Last year he started getting lame a lot and we got him ultra sounded and xrayed and his tendons and bones and ligaments looked perfectly normal. We put special egg bar shoes with leather pads on his fronts to lift up his hocks because the vet thought he had low weak hocks. It seemed to really work for awhile but then of course he got bad again. I don't want to hurt him and I love him to bits so I just don't know what to do anymore. I got back on track hock boots and have been using those and he's is doing great! But that's because I haven't been racing him. I'm wanting to do high school rodeo this September and I'm thinking it's time for hock injections. I know no bones or anything are injured. What are your guyses opinions and experiences with injections? Also with gate sourness? How did slowly show your horse that barrel racing is okay when he is no longer sore and he won't get hurt? I get really nervous at the gate now because I know he'll flip out and make a huge scene, any tips for me as well? Thanks guys!
Posted 2014-08-02 1:17 AM Subject: RE: Injections???
Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106 Location: Texas
Talk to your vet about this. And have a good amountof cash saved for the bill. If only injecting one spot its not to bad but different areas add up quickly. Just hocks would be around $300.
Posted 2014-08-02 6:59 AM Subject: RE: Injections???
Expert
Posts: 2685
I would get a few vets opinions and if they all seem to be saying the same thing then go with the injections. Injections help, yes. They take away pain. Problem with that is they take away pain and the horse continues using a "bad" joint so you keep having to inject to keep the horse running sound. The amount of time they will last will get shorter and shorter. This could take a year or 10. You just never know.
Honestly, if he were mine I would inject. Tons of horses run on injections and there's no sense (if you can afford it) not to. If there is another option where you can help FIX the joints go for it. That is always a better option but unfortunately the likelihood of that is very small :(
Once he is feeling better and you know you have taken care of the pain you will have to start slow teach him it doesn't hurt. Start by working him (not on the barrels) at home doing drills that make him use himself so he can get used to using himself without pain and then get some exhibitions and take him in like your going to make a run and simply trot the pattern or take him a few places and just ride him around the alley way during the race and go home so that he doesn't think he has to go in and run every time. I would slowly start going faster and faster in the arena. Make sure and go up an down and up and down and up and down the alley. Try to get off and loosen your saddle when your done in the alley as much as possible. Make that place an ok thing.
Posted 2014-08-02 8:03 AM Subject: RE: Injections???
Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest
outrundaizy - 2014-08-02 1:17 AM
Talk to your vet about this. And have a good amountof cash saved for the bill. If only injecting one spot its not to bad but different areas add up quickly. Just hocks would be around $300.
Depends on the joint and what you inject.
I pay 50/per hock. I get the lowers done with depo.
I would go to a larger clinic or university and have a full lameness exam done and go from there before injecting.
Injections???
