kombikids
Well-Known Member
can anyone tell me about this - how it affects a horse and does it devalue/ mean a failed vetting? mine hasnt got it but seen it mentioned in ads...
bone spavins
- Thread starter kombikids
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showqa
Well-Known Member
Well, bone spavins are degenerative so I think I'd be gaurded about taking on a horse with a bone spavin. Realistically, I don't think such a horse will be out competeing every weekend. Bog spavin is much less serious and also quite different.
kombikids
Well-Known Member
thanks! its in the hocks i think its bone... can it do xc still - occasionally? will it fail a vet - be a pain to insure/keep?
showqa
Well-Known Member
Well, I'm no vet, but if you think about jumping the hock joint takes a real hammering. Add to the X - country terrain, and frankly I'd say no. Wouldn't surprise me if the horse refuses anyway because of pain. That said, such a horse does need regular, gentle exercise but more along the lines of hacking rather than comps, to prevent acceleration of the condition. But as I say, I'm not a vet. Insurance could well be a problem - can't imagine that you'd get covered for it, so you'd have to be prepared to pay the costs of vet care for that condition and they could be considerable as treatment will almost certainly be needed at some stage.
Happytohack
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
thanks! its in the hocks i think its bone... can it do xc still - occasionally? will it fail a vet - be a pain to insure/keep?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes it would fail a vetting, an insurance company would need to know and probably wouldn't insure either hind leg
, I wouldn't buy a horse with bone spavin, especially not if you wanted to do any jumping - a horse can be sound and suitable for hacking, but some need remedial farriery and it is a degenerative condition.
thanks! its in the hocks i think its bone... can it do xc still - occasionally? will it fail a vet - be a pain to insure/keep?
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes it would fail a vetting, an insurance company would need to know and probably wouldn't insure either hind leg
Apalacia01
Well-Known Member
Ok. Bone Spavins are the degeneration of the lower hock joint. It is a form of arthritis. However, due to the limited movement of the lower hock joint, it is not so much a problem as arthritis in other joints. Basically, the joint will ultimately fuse together thus there will no longer be rubbing together of the upper/lower hock joints.
Horses will come up lame and uneven, especially noticeeable on a flexion test.
Normally, a vet will recommend either resting for a while until it fuses, injecting the joints so speed up the fusing, or surgery. Mine had the surgery.
Most horses who have it are thus uninsurable - you can insure everything apart from the affected joints. Upkeep is simple enough once the joint has fused, its best to keep in regular work though, and harder ground is preferable. During the fusing process, normally trotting on concrete is encouraged.
A horse with bone spavins, fused or otherwise will most probably not pass a vetting. However, this is more for insurance purposes. The vet will tell you what he/she thinks the horse is capable of. Mine is now back into full work, xc/s, you just have to keep an eye on it.
I mean, once the bone is fused, your main problem will be insurance. Mine is 100% sound in a straight/ and on a tight circle, but will come up still in a hard flexion test, and if done too hard, she could be make uncomfortable for days.
Hope that helps - I have been through it!
Horses will come up lame and uneven, especially noticeeable on a flexion test.
Normally, a vet will recommend either resting for a while until it fuses, injecting the joints so speed up the fusing, or surgery. Mine had the surgery.
Most horses who have it are thus uninsurable - you can insure everything apart from the affected joints. Upkeep is simple enough once the joint has fused, its best to keep in regular work though, and harder ground is preferable. During the fusing process, normally trotting on concrete is encouraged.
A horse with bone spavins, fused or otherwise will most probably not pass a vetting. However, this is more for insurance purposes. The vet will tell you what he/she thinks the horse is capable of. Mine is now back into full work, xc/s, you just have to keep an eye on it.
I mean, once the bone is fused, your main problem will be insurance. Mine is 100% sound in a straight/ and on a tight circle, but will come up still in a hard flexion test, and if done too hard, she could be make uncomfortable for days.
Hope that helps - I have been through it!
Apalacia01
Well-Known Member
Once the bone has fused, it is no longer degenerative, as there can be no further deterioration, the bone has fused!
Mine wears Natural Balance behind.
All depends in the horse.
Mine wears Natural Balance behind.
All depends in the horse.
kombikids
Well-Known Member
thankyou - great info as ever guys!