Clicking Hocks and Fetlocks

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sky1234

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I have an 8 year old ex-National Hunt racehorse. I've owned him for 6 months and bought him from a rehab centre. I have noticed his hocks and sometimes hind fetlocks click. Since I've had him he's been on Cortaflex HA. He passed a 5 stage vetting when I got him and I've seen his history and I know he's never had any falls or injuries during his career.

The clicking is getting more frequent and louder (somethimes it sounds like a loud crack, which is so awful) and it's starting to really worry me, but sods law whenever i've had the vet up and I ask about it, he doesnt click! He is sound.

My worst fear is that it could be a sign of him developing arthritis. Does anyone have any experience with this and what was the outcome?
 
Teds hip clicked with every stride, and it never cause him any lameness..

having him on cortaflew is a good idea so brownie points!

Also have a word with the farrier about putting rolled toes/natural balence shoes on the hind to ease break over and mean he doesnt need to put so much effort in.

Arthritis is going to get us all one day.. its the nature of the game im afraid, its old age.

How are you anyway hun?
Lou x
 
Thanks. Interesting...he currently has natural balance shoes in the fronts, but his hinds are normal shoes. I'll ask my farrier about this.

I've got some magnet boots, but I've not really used them on him. I'm still yet to be convinced if magnets actually do as much good as the advertising claims, and it's been so hot lately I feel loathed to boot him up. He doesn't get puffy legs when he's stabled.
I've spent the last 6 months slowly getting him fit and re-schooling. He carries a lot more condition on him now, and he's starting to develop a top line and he looks lovely (just sounds awful, like his legs are about to snap off)
 
I have never used magnetic boots as I have never had a need to but I know many who have to great effect for various issues and swear by them.

I have a 3 year old TB filly who clicks when she is cold, even with last week's damp weather when not freezing.
 
The clicking can be tendons snapping across the bone tuberosities (sticky outty bits of a bone). The tendons and ligaments get caught on these and then release themselves causing the click. As long as the joints are not stiff, hot or painful, dont worry too much - or seek the opinion of a vet to be extra sure.

I have clicky ankles.

The cortaflex is a good idea. You could also try cod liver oil or linseed oil (be careful with linseed oil, it can cause diarrhoea!)
 
I think you will find that the clicking comes from the stifle, this is nothing to worry about and not arthritis or anything, it is simply air snapping in the ligament as it pops of the bone.

It is very common in TB's tbh.
 
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