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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| I didn't want to hijack the OP about fused hocks so....
My question is, would you purchase a horse that already has successful hock fusion as a prospect barrel horse? My thinking is that from reading a lot of strings and articles about fused hocks, with barrel horses, it may be a queston of "when it happens" versus "if it happens." So, if that is the case, as a purchaser, would you want a horse with perfect hocks knowing the pain is coming, the cost of getting them past it (if the procedure worked) and the time lost or is it an advantage to purchase one that has already gotten past it?  |
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 Canine Carryout Queen
  
Location: Oklahoma | Yes, and Id be tickled!! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| If the horse fused properly I would have no problem paying more for that horse then a horse who is in the process of fusing as it would cost me 5k to get the hocks laser fused |
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| YES!!! It would be a blessing to have a horse that has hocks already properly fused and to know you'd never have to deal with the problems associated with the pain that comes from the fusion process....no sore hocks, no expensive injections, etc. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| Thanks everyone! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| Bumping....keep the responses coming! :-) |
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 Did I miss the party?
Posts: 3864
| I would definitely buy one with the bottom joints fused that was sound.
Unless there is an extreme lameness, I've just kept them injected and comfortable as they fuse (sometimes with added nsaids)
I had one that we tried to make fuse 15 years ago with surgery (that was then called "drilling") and I would never go that route again. I assume the laser is a much better option nowadays. But, never had that done.
Hoping my way just keeps working! |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | I wonder if this is a regional thing- or a vet interpretation or what?? I have YET to have one fuse. When I think of it - I ask others- and I dont know anyone that has a horse fusing or fused. I always find these topics interesting. I know folks that have had them DONE but no one that had it happen on its own.
But if I found one- Im like the others- I would not hesitate. |
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Veteran
Posts: 183
| If bottom joints are fused & no spurs on the upper....go for at! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| TurnLane - 2013-11-18 11:41 AM I wonder if this is a regional thing- or a vet interpretation or what?? I have YET to have one fuse. When I think of it - I ask others- and I dont know anyone that has a horse fusing or fused. I always find these topics interesting. I know folks that have had them DONE but no one that had it happen on its own.
But if I found one- Im like the others- I would not hesitate.
I was like you and the topic of fused hocks was totally foreign to me. However, the more I talk to people and the more research I do, it can happen on its own over the course of several years and much pain. It seems that stock bred type horses fuse more than others. Or you can chemically fuse a lower hock that is causing soreness. When my vet told me that the prospect I was looking at had fused hocks (chemically) I thought it was a deal breaker but thankfully I'm finding out differently. |
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Veteran
Posts: 139
Location: Abbotsford B.C. Canada | I would not purchase a horse with fused hocks. My understanding is that will only happen with age. The horse that has fused hocks must be quite a bit older if the hocks have fused naturall and probably is coming to the end of its racing career. I had an older arab and my vet said he had hock issues but with time, as a horse approaching 19, he would gradually fuse. Then the arthrittis symptoms would lesson but not necessarily go away. I cannot see a young healthy horse having fused hocks unless a vet did something.
There are calcium deposits in the tarsal bones that are rubbing and creating if not pain at least some discomfort as horses age. This also means there is probably some calcification in other areas of not just the hock joint but other joints. I defer to a vet on this but I think you are asking for more issues down the road. This has to be an olde horse to fuse naturally. So there will be other issues that come with an older horse.
Cheers,
Coastal Rider
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| coastal rider - 2013-11-18 1:55 PM I would not purchase a horse with fused hocks. My understanding is that will only happen with age. The horse that has fused hocks must be quite a bit older if the hocks have fused naturall and probably is coming to the end of its racing career. I had an older arab and my vet said he had hock issues but with time, as a horse approaching 19, he would gradually fuse. Then the arthrittis symptoms would lesson but not necessarily go away. I cannot see a young healthy horse having fused hocks unless a vet did something.
There are calcium deposits in the tarsal bones that are rubbing and creating if not pain at least some discomfort as horses age. This also means there is probably some calcification in other areas of not just the hock joint but other joints. I defer to a vet on this but I think you are asking for more issues down the road. This has to be an olde horse to fuse naturally. So there will be other issues that come with an older horse.
Cheers,
Coastal Rider
Yes, aged horses will fuse on their own. This horse is younger with no other signs of arthritis elsewhere. Radiographs of both front feet, knees and upper hocks were fine. Only lower hocks fused. |
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Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | I hear what you are saying (whomever above quoted me) but I have yet to see any fuse on their own. One our our vets so far said he hasnt seen any even on 25 year old horses. Do you think there is another term people are using in our area?
I know things change every 50 miles- seems to be more so up north or west where people talk about this? |
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 I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | runs4fun - 2013-11-17 10:12 AM YES!!! It would be a blessing to have a horse that has hocks already properly fused and to know you'd never have to deal with the problems associated with the pain that comes from the fusion process....no sore hocks, no expensive injections, etc.
Yes! I agree completely. I would LOVE to not have to worry about hock soreness...
I would see the horse having fused the lower joints as a very positive thing, assuming the horse is SOUND> |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| Humm...I'm not sure. I'm in VA and I had never heard of it either. To show my ignorance, I didn't realize they had two hock joint areas before this experience. I had to retire a horse early because of arthrisis in her knees and she was dead lame. Only took radiographs to find out exactly what the problem was. Right then I swore I'd never buy another horse without taking radiographs beforehand. This prospect I'm looking at passed every flex test, trot, undersaddle, everything....then the radiographs....perfect feet, knees and upper hock. We (the vet, Seller and I) were blown away from shock. That how much of a good mover he was. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: on the fine line between insanity and geniusness | I had one fuse at 8. He fused naturally and not chemically. He was 100% sound after he fused. The process of him fusing was terrible and long. If I was looking at one that had already been through that process, I wouldn't hesistate in the least to buy. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
| UPDATE: I GOT HIM!!!!!
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | TurnLane - 2013-11-18 3:06 PM I hear what you are saying (whomever above quoted me) but I have yet to see any fuse on their own. One our our vets so far said he hasnt seen any even on 25 year old horses. Do you think there is another term people are using in our area?
I know things change every 50 miles- seems to be more so up north or west where people talk about this?
I have one that is completely fused. She's a 3D local 4/5D big show mare. I had no idea she ever fused until about a year ago and she's 12 this year. I've been competing on her since she was 5 and had absolutely no issues with her. She ran the same pattern every time. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | To my knowledge none of mine are fused either. and I have never had to fuse one. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | did you do xrays and that was what your prepurchase vet said.. hes fused? did they fuse them for him.. ??
they fuse on their own over time.... some take years others short time. its painful during the process.. they can start about 4-7 yrs of age.. normally .. some dont show signs of fusing so owner wouldnt even know they were fusing.. until soreness happens.. if it happens.. something you just have to realize if soreness happens may need maintenance.. but if yours is already Id be happy. |
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