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Post by coyote on Mar 17, 2011 17:37:07 GMT -5
What could cause this?
Mare has intermittent lameness on one hock. Mare was lame on a longe line one day, with visible popping of the hock. A couple of days later vet observed her trotting in a straight line with no sign of lameness. Flex test was negative.
What would that be? Would anything short of a full set of x-rays of both hocks give the answer?
Thanks for any information.
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Post by Einstein on Mar 18, 2011 7:52:41 GMT -5
It could be 101 things, and the high end vets around here are now saying more and more that hock xrays aren't good indicatiors of future soundness. Off the top of my my head it could be she got kicked, kicked something solid, hocks fusing, soft tissue damage, or simply nothing at all.
If this is a PPE, I'd redo it with another vet if you like the horse. If it was mine, I'd watch her for a few days and call the vet back out in 7-10 days if no improvement. Maybe addign Adequan is needed, or something like that.
That's just things that come to mind.
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Post by coyote on Mar 18, 2011 10:04:28 GMT -5
That's interesting on the hock xrays not being a good indicator of future soundness. I had not heard that, but it's good to know.
I guess the current intermittent lameness, if it exists, is a little different from future lameness issues, though certainly they are related.
Thanks!
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Post by Einstein on Mar 18, 2011 10:19:55 GMT -5
We had one horse for a client who was 100% sound in 4 months of training, she went to the PPE (as a mid level dressage prospect) and everyone was floored to see horrific hock xrays, she flexed 100% clean. The buyer and seller worked out a reduced price, and it's been 4 years, the mare is still 100% sound, showing with her new owner, and doing very well. Probably no one was more shocked then the seller, who raised the mare from a baby. It worked out great, but so unexpected. This was the first time I heard about the hock films not always being a good indicator of future soundness and I keep hearing it since then, so I wanted to throw that out.
We've had horses in training who went through big PPEs and were clean on films that are acting out (rearing, bolting, refusal to go forward under saddle no matter what) and it turns out to be a hock issue. That's why I try to put things together as puzzle pieces and not rely only on behavior, or vetting to determine a couse of action or training.
I know that probably doesn't answer your question, but thought I'd throw it all out there to muddy the waters some. Sorry!
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Post by Big Tee© on Mar 18, 2011 10:42:40 GMT -5
Going to take a guess that it is either beginning jack spavin or the hock is fusing although in many instances, they go hand in hand, the spavin being the result of the cunean tendon riding over the rough edges of two fusing bones. Prognosis is close to 100% soundness after fusion is complete
As to X-rays, they are generally inconclusive as the hocks are full of bitty bones that show all sorts of shadows, lines and just plain oddities to the point that two sequential shots will show some glaring differences. Better to block and find out exactly where the problem is.
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Post by coyote on Mar 18, 2011 11:15:45 GMT -5
I'm awaiting a call back from a different vet who was recommended. BigTee, hock fusion was my first (and really only) guess.
Einstein, I appreciate hearing whatever you have to say as it's always helpful. This mare isn't one I can put my own eyes on.
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Post by fancyhorse on Mar 29, 2011 14:35:57 GMT -5
Id still do the xrays. It could tell you if you are dealing with arthritis, spurs, chip, etc.
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Post by coyote on Mar 31, 2011 14:43:25 GMT -5
Thanks fancyhorse. The vet is going out with her xray machine and will decide when she's there whether she thinks xrays are needed for any reason. So, it's always good to let the vet who is looking at the horse decide.
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