Creaky hock

[rachk89]

So my horse seems to have developed a slightly creaky hock. The right one. I only ever hear it creak when i pick it up his hoof to clean it out. This doesn't seem to hurt him although he rarely shows pain anyway so i dont trust him there.

He has no soundness problems at all. He can be ridden fine and be asked for more technical stuff without issue. He only finds turning on the forehand more difficult on the right rein and won't do it because that leg won't extend over. But leg yield is fine so not sure if it's the leg or he is being an idiot.

I have put him on glucosamine to see if this helps and he has had a physio out who said his right hock was stiff but nothing that exercise won't shift. No vet has seen it yet.

Anyone else had this and did it just go away? Or did it develop into something worse?

Cheers for any help.

 

[Birker2020]

Your physio is correct in what she says.

Cracking sounds occur when bubbles form in joints as they are pulled apart. Sometimes there is a partial vacuum in the synovial fluid which collapses and can cause a sharp sound and this is perfectly natural and nothing to worry about. And occassionally a tendon or ligament will move over bone and cause a similar sound.

If a horse has creaking joints and there is pain/inflammation or as in the hock the horse starts clipping his toes on the ground when he moves, or not putting his quarters under him, then there is every possibility that he has arthritis (spavin) in his hock.

A good joint supplement is always a good start, as it good management - don't jump on hard surfaces, or do too much trotting on the roads as this is not good for joints over a long period of time.

 

[rachk89]

Ah ok thank you that has helped and given me more info. He definitely isn't arthritic then as his quarters do all of his action he is never on the forehand.

It maybe does just sound worse recently as he has been out on the roads recently but he got very excited both times and was usually bouncing around. Will lay off any road work for a while see if that improves it. He probably doesnt help himself with how much he runs around his field and tries to play with the other horses. Cheers

 

[Birker2020]

Ah ok thank you that has helped and given me more info. He definitely isn't arthritic then as his quarters do all of his action he is never on the forehand.

It maybe does just sound worse recently as he has been out on the roads recently but he got very excited both times and was usually bouncing around. Will lay off any road work for a while see if that improves it. He probably doesnt help himself with how much he runs around his field and tries to play with the other horses. Cheers

If you are concerned you can carry out a flexion test on your horse. There are many videos on YouTube demonstrating how to carry out such a test. The Royal Veterinary College were thinking about omitting them from pre purchase vettings at one point as the results can be misconstrued, so to be honest I am not sure if you will learn anything. If someone were to hold my leg up for 30 seconds or a minute and then ask me to run I would be lame

Here is a totally brilliant and informative video done by Aberdeen Riding Club where two horses are videoed side by side to see the difference between a horse without spavin and one with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq1czxdAyTI

 

[whiteroom]

One thing I would add from personal experience - If you have your horse checked by a physio before you call the vet, your insurance may not pay up if something is found or further investigation by the vet is needed. A salutary lesson for those of us who consider a physio check is just a routine health check like rasping!

 

[rachk89]

Forgot to reply but a slight update too.

Thanks for that video applecart definitely showed me he is fine as he walks nothing like that. He has issues turning one way compared to the other but going to put that down to stiffness and lack of muscle.

His hock seems to be getting better. No creakiness in a while but still giving him glucosamine to be safe for now.