Advice on hock problems

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HaffiesRock

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I rode my pony yesterday and he didn't feel right. Not lame, just not right behind. He was not willing to walk forwards in his usual manor and rushed when trotting with his head unusually high. I got off but but there was no one there to help me trot him up.

My sharer has been up today and trotted him up with my YO and she said he looks off in his hocks. Tiny bit of heat, no obvious lameness, just off behind.

Ill be going up shortly to have a look at him for myself in an hour or so. My instant reaction is turn him out and give him a few days off then reassess. Sharer hacked him the day before he showed any problems and said he was fine, but they did go for a gallop. The day before she hacked him with a young girl from our yard who gallops everywhere so they did a lot of fast work and pony was getting het up and on is toes when being held back.

Would you call the vet today? I honestly dont think getting them out today would be beneficial, but not having dealt with this kind of problem before, I dont want to miss anything. I am more than happy to call them for advice or get them out though.

He is perfectly sound in walk, just "not quite right" in trot. Happy in himself, eating fine etc.

He is an 11 year old Haflinger. Recently increased his work to 5/6 days a week included 30 mins schooling and about an hour hack, relatively sedate with the occasional canter/gallop. Nothing too strenuous at all, bit of jumping (50cm max) now and again.

Should I be cold hosing his hocks if there is heat in them?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance x
 
I don't know!
My Tb has had a lot of issues with his hocks which then caused secondary issues with his back. I suppose it's not exactly a veterinary emergency, but it did require veterinary intervention, this was because he has arthritis in his hocks. If your boy hasn't got an underlying issue but recently increased his workload and had the heavy ride with the young girl maybe give him a Danilon or some Devil's Claw and see how he is the next couple of days? (*dons tin hat*) Difficult to say really...


eta I was donning my tin hat in case someone comes along and says "what? You'd give him a painkiller and see how he went, you demon!!! or something :)
 
That was my plan really. Not much a vet can do late on a friday that I cant do myself. Im just going to see him now an make an assessment for myself. Thank you x
 
Been up and he looks fine. Trotted up in straight lines and on the luge. Sound. Flexed and held all joints, no issues, backed up and turned tightly, all fine. Nothing going on in the hooves, no heat, pulses or swelling anywhere. I'm now thinking it is a back/pelvis problem so have just left a message with the vet physio to come and see him asap. He is on field rest until I can get him seen x
 
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