Advice needed on recovering from a bang!

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colouredhat

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My horse fell last week, banging his hock as he fell (hitting the ground hard as it was XC and as everyone knows we've had no rain for ages!)
His back leg was swollen the next day and he travelled home from our training camp bandaged and on bute. There are no cuts or grazes just heat and swelling.
The vet came out the following day and said he thought it was just bruised, suggested a week of bute, turnout rather than in (as he said that would help keep him supple and stop fluid gathering more), then assuming he was sound to have a further week before starting light work!

The first week has gone, so according to the vet i should have stopped the bute (which I have), but he's not at all sound. Doesn't look too bad in walk but awful in trot. He's much better in himself and doesn't seem worried about me touching it, but it's still swollen (admittedly not as much) and there is still heat in it.

Any suggestions? He HATES being off work and is a bugger because of it.
Thanks all. X
 
Re vet asap. Ideally x-ray, or nerve block to ensure its the hock that is the issue and x-ray.
Let s know how yuo get on.
 
Vet xray'd today, good news is it's not a chip!! YAY.
He diagnosed a small bone spavin, but has recommended 1 week box rest, during which his hock needs ice-ing 3x a day, as there is still heat and swelling (2 1/2 weeks on, after cold hosing.) Then suggested riding in walk for a few days, then turning out on a small paddock. All of this on bute. Review again in 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, aiming to be off the bute in 4-5weeks. If no better then to give a steroid injection. So. Hopefully it's not going to take too long to fix!

However ...

I tried to ice his hock today and he completely freaked out. Any suggestions on ways to do this, hints, tips etc all grately appreciated!

Will keep you updated x
 
I tried to ice his hock today and he completely freaked out. Any suggestions on ways to do this, hints, tips etc all grately appreciated!



hi
try this website i bought one for a swelling for horses hock and it worked wonders and lasted a fair while re use after re use
you keep them in the fridge when not in use

http://www.optimumhealthplus.co.uk/equine.htm
 
Get ice packs that you keep in freezer - use soft ones from the chemist they sometimes have velcro covers on them. Don't let them come in direct contact with the skin or you might have freezer burn! Only use for about 10 min at a time (may be worth checking that as I'm guessing here) i know you can damage tissue if it too long.
 
Thanks, gave him some sedative for e few goes and he now seems to be getting the idea of the whole thing. The swelling doesn't seem to be shifting but its early days yet. Thanks for the suggestions. I got a gel cool pad from the chemist and have been covering it with a teatowel. X
 
So its 5days into the.suggested 7days of box rest with ice ... but its no better, if fact it's worse :(
Its now more swollen and hotter than it was and the swelling is covering a larger area! I'm going to ring the vets when theu open and ask if there is anything else i can do, when he was turned out it was better.
Plus he's not enjoying having his leg strapped up, he's panicing everytime poor boy.
Any thoughts?
 
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