Bog spavin

[Halfstep]

My horse was seen by the vet today as he has a puffy hock. The vet told me that the "old fashioned" term for this swelling was bog spavin, and that it was probably caused by a strain in the joint, and hopefully would go down with rest and bute. Horse is sound (including flexion tests) and the swelling isn't hot. It just looks awful. Does anyone have any experience of this? Any advice welcome.

 

[Ani]

I took a 12 yr old ex event horse on loan for the riding school i was Managing at the time, this was about six years ago, he had massive bog spavins on the front of both hocks, he has worked 1-3 hours a day since then jumping and flat and is still going strong now. and is not always ridden by the lightest or most balanced riders to put it politely!!

 

[ajf]

My intermediate eventer has them and has had them since we got him 6years ago. Dosen't seem to cause him any problems. If they are new (just forming) then they may be slightly painful but never had any problems. There a bit like windgalls, just joint stretching and little bits of synovial (joint) fluid leaks out and forms soft lump (well this is waht i've been told, so could be wrong!)

 

[moocow]

Just had my mare with the vet and she has been diagnosed with bog spavins in both hocks. He said that she will be fine but they just need to be managed. Suggested just giving her bute if she gets a bad day. she failed flexion on one side and the vet couldn't do flexion on the "bad" side as she was all over the place. vet said it was because she was anticipating the pain. So its bute for the girl from now on. At least its managable!