bone spavin/hock arthiritis HELP

[GeorgieD]

Hi,

I have a lovely 17h 11yr old TB that LOVES to jump - jumps 1.20 like a cross pole! been to hickstead, bluechip, etc- is just a pleasure!
Sadly he was diagnosed with bone spavin - I've had him for 3 years but due to A level commitments I did hardly much with the first 2 years and he was diagnosed with bone spavin the year after - typical!!
Anyway, we had a strong re start this year - felt sound and very happy to work, had a mix of hacking and schooling and built a great top line. started jumping and to start was really enthusiastic - I hadn't jumped in a year and he looked after he as if he hadn't been out of it! we upped the jumping and he started to feel a little stiffer - but then on and off felt better so assumed he was adjusting to harder work. started stopping so knew something was up so got a top up of injections..

But what happened today is what I found odd - we planned to put the fences a little higher today 1.10 upright with a 1m spread, began happy but then started stopping again - but then his left hind was obviously causing him trouble, the rider only needed to touch him with his left leg and he react by kicking out each time on both reins! BUT then all of a sudden in appeared like something 'clicked' !! - he visibly looked more forward, more upright and I could see he was dragging the rider into the fences he was so keen - cleared everything

his work being so up and down is leaving me very confused/concerned - I really don't want to jump a horse that's in pain when he loves it so much, but the flip side I don't want to retire a horse that seems really happy to work - its very 50/50 and I feel so stuck

what would you suggest to try rather than hock injections??

do you think persisting with the work will help?? ive heard this a few times and today did make me wonder if that could be an option!

what about hock fusing? I don't know much about that so any info would be great!

and is there a life for a showjumper with bone spavin????

thanks for any responses! xxxx

 

[old hand]

One of mine has two but has never had bute or been injected. Just regular work, nearly every day and turnout if not. He is warmed up by walking forwards in a contact and making both hinds track up , then canter which he has always found easier just quietly to start with and then he has a lovely big trot. It has not affected his jumping apart from the first two months. he is shod with a small flange on the outside heels of his hind shoes and equilibrium comfort shoes on the front. They make a big difference as his front breakover is quicker. I do not do road work as it is too dangerous round here so don't know if that would make any difference. Mine is a big built 17hh warmblood. Sounds like yours has had some adhesions that broke off, if it was that broke off. Might be worth trying cortavet , their vet will give advice as it can be very effective for such issues. It is five times stronger than cortaflex and is competition legal which joint injections are not.

 

[old hand]

Should have said that he was unlevel for the first two months and eighteen months later he flexes sound on both hinds and they would appear to have fused. They are jack spavins and there is no reaction or heat in them now. my vet advises they should no longer give problems and that hard correct work is the long term solution. Not so money making but honest I thought.