advice please on swelling around hocks

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Natalie12

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Hi All,

Hoping you can help,

I have a 19 year old welsh sec d, she is although a little tubby at the moment a very fit and well pony who has never suffered with lameness or joint problems as of yet touch wood.

They have recently changed fields into lush paddocks so as you can imagine she did put on a few pounds which has resulted in a muzzle now... however since moving fields i have noticed that after riding or lunging she is getting a bit of heat and swelling on the inside of her hocks ... particularly one hock. Any ideas?? I appreciate it could be a bit of arthritis setting in just seems a rather odd thing that has suddenly happened?? I've had experience with a horse with bone spavins previsouly so really hoping its not that. Only really swells/heats up after exercise so have given her a few days off... any advice/ideas would be great!

Someone did mention they have glands on the inside of their hocks so with the new rich grass that could be whats making them swell... not sure on that though??

Thanks all
 
It sounds like a "bog spavin" which is a bursae enlargement of the hock joint (a bit like a windgall but on the hock). It can be caused by a slight strain to the joint and may well go down with rest, or it can indicate a more significant change to the upper hock joint. I'd rest, cold hose, and keep an eye on it. If it doesn't go away and/or the horse is lame on it, get the vet!

Don't know where the idea of glands on their legs came from LOL! :confused::rolleyes::eek:
 
I'd echo Halfstep... particularly as it is more aparent after exercise. It can indeed be caused by bony changes in the hock and xrays would be recomended if it persists but on the other hand it can be caused by a strain / trauma to the joint. If she is overweight it won't help.
 
Thanks all, i did give her 5 days off with hosing and a cold ice gel and it seems as though it has gone down, she is also in a muzzle and on a strict calorie diet... unfortunately keeping weight off these welsh sections D's all year round is near on impossible! ;0) thanks again!
 
I would get the vet and have a proper examination.
It could well be bog spavins, it could also be tendon or ligament damage, she doesn't have to be hopping, but early intervention is really important.
 
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