Arthritis in hock

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SueandSplendida

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14 March 2009
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My 21 year old mare has pain in her right hock. There has been fluid on the joint for about a year but she has never been this lame. I am wondering if the joint is now fusing has the fluid has pretty much gone. If the bone fuses I understand that the lameness and pain will go away but don't know how long this will take and if she will become sound again. Has anyone else had experience of this? She is resting at the moment but I want to hack out at the walk to help her mobility but her limp makes me feel so guilty at moving her. Any advice please.
PS She is on Danilon daily and joint supplements.
 
same position also! my boy hasn't had any xrays or what not but started out slightly stiff in one hind and the vet said 'just started with arthritis,' to having a very clicky leg and becoming 4/10ths lame in trot to the point the vet returned 3 weeks later and assumes he has spavins.

1) lives out 24/7 and try to keep him in the driest fields possible
2) was on a bute a day but devils claw seems to be just as effective for him however will bute him if it turns really cold
3) wears magnetic boots overnight...they seem to help as he no longer looks incredibly stiff in the mornings
4) gets hacked out on the roads 1/2 hour to an hour a couple of times a week in walk. starts off stiff but after 20 mins he loosens up and strides out and sometimes tries to trot:rolleyes: he hasn't been in the school for months and hacking is all straight lines.
5) i've added glucosamine and linseed oil to his feed. whether it works, i don't know but i shall help him as much as i can!
6) you will know if your horse is in pain. my boy seems alot perkier the further we get into this routine as he had becoming thoroughly miserable at the start of his lameness. he trots off out into the field and even had a good race around the other day!

spavins vary from 5 months or so to a couple of years, but some never full fuse. my vet also warned me that the rumour of 'the pain disappearing when they are fused' is a complete lie and he will always be slightly uncomfortable. my boy has always had a bit of a clicky leg so i don't know how 'far' he is into his spavins but only time will tell. he usually gets worked hard over the winter as he has severe pollen allergies but he will just be kept moving gently till April where we then face spavin vs pollen problems!
 
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