|
|
Veteran
Posts: 110
| I have a few questions about "fusing hocks". I've tried researching but I'm not getting the answers to my specific questions.
Can you tell from an x-ray if the issue is degenerative or a result from an injury?
I read these don't have to be career ending. True or very horse dependent?
Is this a long term maintenance nightmare?
Hereditary?
Thanks - i have x-rays from a mare I'm interested in and wondering if its a minor or major gamble. I want to use her for barrels but im just learnging about this condition.
Thank you!!
| |
| | |
Expert
Posts: 3514
  
| Fusing hocks are actually a good thing. Most horses after they fuse never have to be injected again. There is pain when they are fusing. If your going to run her during that time, I would reccomend that you give something like Herbal Respond is a natural anti inflammatory/pain reliever. You can also use Bute. Magnetic Hock wraps will also help. And a good joint supplement. It is not career ending.
| |
| | |
 Expert
Posts: 5293
 
| Fusing is a GOOD THING!! Once those joints fuse then there is no longer any pain etc. I hope I answered the question??? | |
| | |
 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | ALL horses will go through it at some point. So any horse you buy you will potentially have to deal with it. Some horses are wimps (just like people), don't like pain and are going to need pretty frequent injections or pain killers to keep them comfy. If you aren't using them really hard, they can go longer. Or if you have a horse that's a real soldier, they may not tell you until its too late so you just have to keep an eye on things. That horse may not act out at all, just be 'off' in the run and you as the owner need to know its time to do something.
If however, you are hauling every weekend, you will want to stay on top of it. Adequan, Legend, Pentosan, Previcoxx as needed, and of course steroid or HA injections into the joint (you can look into IRAP too as a little more conservative injection). Alternative therapies like magnets and massage and acupuncture are also great to help spread vet maintenance out some. A lot of horses do pretty well with just once or twice a year maintenance so long as they get some Legend or Adequan or something occasionally to help them along. Some people may be willing to put up with more frequent maintenance if the horse is a real winner and maybe a mare (breed once they can't compete any more). | |
| | |
Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK | Fusing hocks can happen with a lot of horses. It's not career ending but your horse's tolerance to pain has a lot to do with how it goes. Injections, Adequan, magnets, etc will help. No, it is not a short term thing. I've seen more than one horse be "in the process " of fusing for a few years. (But they were competitive during the process)
There is no set time frame.
I don't think there is any way to tell if it's due to an injury, juvenile arthritis, etc.
I've also seen some vets use "fusing" as a blanket description for an ugly case of arthritis. | |
| | |
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| From an xray, no you cannot identify if it is genetic, malnutrition, or trauma related, there are a few exceptions to this rule though.
Fusing hocks, depends if they are completely fused, or in the process of fusing.
If they are completely fused, it is a non issue, they are pain free.
If they are in the process of fusing, this can be a nightmare. Very few horses will fuse completely on their own without complications, horses can develop bone spurs during the fusing process and depending where the spur is it may or may not interfere with the tendons or ligaments.
If they are still in the fusing process, most horses will have to be injected regularly and this can be costly. A lot of vets like using depo, my vet despises depo as there is research showing it can delay the healing process. He also was the co author on surgical laser fusion of hocks and he has seen that horses injected with depo actually wont fuse even after surgery. He actually refused to complete the surgery on horses with known depo injections as he said it was a waste of money.
Sine you are looking at this horse, is it fit? If not get it fit then do a flexion test. If it is fit, how did it do on the flexion test? Does the horse come with any issues, issues are always a sign of pain.
good luck | |
| |
| |
Folks on-line