Appearance of a hunter's bump - problem or not?

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pennyturner

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Danny is a 20yo NF gelding in very light work (weekend hacking and driving), on grass 24/7. He hasn't been ridden for a few weeks due to holidays. Today I looked him over and saw he has pronounced spine processes on his croup (sacro-iliac vertebrae) - commonly referred to as hunter's bump. He doesn't seem upset or uncomfortable, in fact I've rarely seen him looking so shiny and well, but this is not something I've ever seen before, and definitely new for him. I should be clear that I have had Danny for 10 years, and this is not just conformation. Should I be worried?
 
MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

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I would be looking at hocks tbh-have seen it in older jumpers that are no longer using themselves properly due to hocks or other issues lower down. worth investigating to see what you are dealing with.
 
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smja

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Has he lost muscle recently? The appearance of a hunters bump can become more pronounced if so - so much that it can appear where none was visible before.
 
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Equi

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Can I have a pic of this??? It's very interesting that someone mentions hocks and hunters bump. I think my boy might have one.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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If this is a recent development and is new rather than something which is already established, I'd be for asking vet and physio to have a look, and would rest the horse, especially bearing in mind his age.

I went to view a horse up for loan a while back, and that had a very pronounced croup/hunter's bump, but that wasn't just a conformational issue, it was a deformity which the horse had had from very early on.
 
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pennyturner

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smja said:
Has he lost muscle recently? The appearance of a hunters bump can become more pronounced if so - so much that it can appear where none was visible before.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say so. He isn't 'fit' in the hunting sense of the word, but quite up to a 10 mile hack at trot/canter.
A fall in the field is possible, but unlikely. At his age he's a sensible sort (even for a NF), and he's the field boss, so not bullied or chased.

I wondered if it might be a sign of arthritis, whether in hocks or elsewhere, or his history of being over-jumped as a youngster finally catching up with him.
 
Tnavas

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pennyturner said:
I wouldn't say so. He isn't 'fit' in the hunting sense of the word, but quite up to a 10 mile hack at trot/canter.
A fall in the field is possible, but unlikely. At his age he's a sensible sort (even for a NF), and he's the field boss, so not bullied or chased.

I wondered if it might be a sign of arthritis, whether in hocks or elsewhere, or his history of being over-jumped as a youngster finally catching up with him.
Click to expand...

They can fall at any time for any reason - doesn't matter whether they are sensible, old, the boss or not chased, only takes a sharp turn and their feet go out from under them or play fight rear that went a bit too high. Have a read of this article
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/14145/hunters-bump
 
Sukistokes2

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As Tnavas says they can fall at any point. My horse has arthritis and has a hunters bump. I can monitor his condition through how pronounced the bump is. If he is tight then the bump is very pronounced and it's time for a Chiro session. I found this condition to be career ending really, as if you push to much, or turn too quickly then they can not seem to get their hind legs under them and down you go. I made the decision , with my vet , to semi retire my lad when this happened. My lad now does light hacking just to keep him active and happy. All is done under the supervision of my lovely Chiro vet. He gets three or four sessions of Chiro/ acupuncture a year on top of medication. I ride in an air jacket because I know it's possible for him to fall. I usually hack out, walking on the roads but he does like a bit of a blast in the woods. I've found letting him set the pace helps. Hour and a half at walk and five minutes of sheer terror and speed in the woods :D
 
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pennyturner

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Thanks everyone. He seems to be sound, but his back feet are a little long, so will address that and keep an eye on him.
That fact sheet is brilliant!
 
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