arthitic hock

[Cahill]

a neighbour of mine has had to have the vet to her cob(about 13 yo),he has a lump on his hock,was a little stiff.now the x-ray has been done and the vet has diagnosed arthritis.(not bone spavin)he has perscribed glucosamine.
what advice to the care and management of this condition would you give?

a little more background-
the pony is hacked by a novice a few times a week(with hocks trailing behind)
it is overweight(obese in my opiniun)
it is not allowed a bed in it`s shelter(because it eats it)??

none of these 3 factors has the vet commented on,do you think they could have contributed towards the condition?

i feel sorry for the pony but would have to be VERY tactful when my advice is asked for.

 

[TheresaW]

The chestnut in my sig has just been diagnosed with arthritis in both his hocks. He is 11. He was on glucosamine anyway because he was diagnosed with ringbone and arthritis in his front leg last year. He is also given instant linseed which seems to help his joints. He is still ridden daily, mainly hacking. He used to live in and was turned out daily, but as he used to stiffen up overnight, he is now on grass livery. He has lost a bit of weight since living out and I was slightly concerned, but vet has seen him today and says he is fine. Since going out, he has been a lot more mobile than I have seen him for a long time. He is a lot happier in himself too. Vet has told me I need to keep his weight down to help his joints and to keep him as mobile as possible.

 

[mrsbloggett]

Losing weight will obviously help as a lighter pony (and rider!) will put less stress on the joints. Mention the arthritis to the farrier as remedial shoeing can help in some cases. If the pony is over weight and possibly at risk from laminitis avoid joint supplements with Glucusomine as this can trigger or prolong attacks. MSM, cider vinegar & herbal supplements are fine.

Weight, IMO is the only thing you've listed that could have contributed to the condition, the trailing hocks may be because of the pain & stiffness, probably not the cause.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I have heard great things about pernamax, this may be worth a try for the horse in question

 

[aran]

Bone spavin is the 'horsey' term for osteoarthritis of the hock - therefore if the horse has hock arthritis it is spavin.

Arthritis is wear and tear or trauma to the articular cartilage of a joint. Damage to the cartilage impedes its job resulting in pain and stiffness. It is a very common condition and tends to affect some joints more than others. It is also more common in older people/animals as it is age related. Dragging the hind toes is often a common symptom in spavin - it wont have caused the condition. Bedding also will not have caused arthritis. Obesity however is linked with arthritis and can exacerbate the disease process due to the extra weight.

Arthritis has to be managed as it is not curable - however for spavinif you can get the joints to fuse then the condition ultimately is cured as there is no joint remaining to have arthritis.
Joint supplements (combinations of HA, CS and glucosamine are the best) and omega 3 oil (Linseed or cod liver) can help. Some say that magnets have helped too. Lots of turn out and gentle exercise. Not over-weight either!
Good shoeing is very important.
The vet can inject - steroids or HA derivitives.
You can also go down the surgical or chemical arthrodesis line - however on a 13 yr cob it probably is not a suitable option.