I'm pretty well versed on needing hock injections, BUT... I'm thinking of buying a mare, she's only 6, n only been on barrel pattern a year. Never been entered, only exhibitioned, ie, not ridden hard. She was injected a month ago. I know that most horses competing fairly hard need injections of all sorts. But this early? Am I making a mistake buying one that already needs them? Opinions please

I have injected around that age on several horses for different reasons.  I think the question is why was she injected and what did they use.  I bought a horse a few years ago and was told I would need to inject her fetlock very 6 months.  I did a prepurchase, xrays, etc talked to my vet went ahead and got her.  I changed her shoeing and haven't injected anything on her since.

I bought a 7 year old gelding (big 16.1, 1400 lb horse) and they started injecting his hocks as a 3yo. He's pretty darn sound and I continue to inject him once a year. No issues. He's now about to turn 12. 

I would Xray to be sure what you're dealing with.  Maybe they're fusing.  My 5 year old is fusing and has a tiny bone spur so we're going to have

to start injecting her.  

I have injected 5/6 year old hocks plenty. A year of barrel work (learning or otherwise)  warrants it, IMO. This is a hard job. 

Odd man (girl) out here, but I would pass. If the horse is built well and ridden correctly and within its ability range, it shouldn't need injections yet. I don't want to buy a horse that may not last because someone hammered on it when it was young. 

I would do a full PPE, to see how well the injections are working (1 month out) and do xrays to see what you are dealing with. I'd want to find out more before making a decision. Depends how "perfect" the horse is to you, depends on your comfort level, etc.

When I bought my mare, she was 5 years old and had made about 10-15 runs on the barrel pattern. She was a litlte sore in the hocks and stifles on PPE. Xrays all clean. I chose to give her time off from the pattern, a month of Equioxs and PEMF and she was fine.

My older horse, Red, has had hock changes probably nearly since birth (fusion). I didn't do a PPE so didn't figure it out until later. To me, fusing hocks aren't a big deal and you just manage them like everything else.

Bump

I would go ahead and do a prepurchase or at least xray the hocks and stifles to make sure there isnt anything huge going on, but hocks don't make me nervous at all. I would prefer a horse that is just exhibtioning, but showing signs of pain (could be fusing) get injected and not develop a mental issue, than have a horse exhibtioning in pain and develop a mental issue becuase someone doesnt want to inject on that is "just exhibtioning"