Hock Spavins

[rcm_73]

My horse was diagnosed with hock spavins both hind legs but one is far worse at the moment. She has been on bute for 2weeks then I've tried a months supply of suxibuzone and she is still hopping lame most days. I'm calling the vet out again tomorrow but was wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences with spavins? What's the most likely prognosis? A local dealer (whom I bought her off 2yrs ago) reckons she's a 'knacker' and offered me £250 for her. Also what's the likliehood off me being able to claim for treatment on my insurance? (With E&L). I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just throwing good money after bad and whether it would be kinder to just have her PTS.

 

[Rowreach]

Do you mean bone spavin? How old is she? Yr vet should be able to advise you, have they suggested cortisone injections, as this is usually the treatment they recommend, and most horses come sound for a few months afterwards, then you repeat them until the joint has fused and after that, in many cases there is no more trouble. The only way to find out if your insurance will cover it is to ask your insurers!! Yr vet shd tell you if she is unlikely ever to come right, but please don't have her pts just because she might be going to cost you a bit in vet's fees.

 

[rcm_73]

Yes bone spavin in both hocks

 

[Rowreach]

Mine has just been diagnosed with it too, he is 11, and the "ultimate" horse. Fairly common in IDs of his type (and a lot of show cobs/hunters have it too). Not the end of the world. He is sound after first injection, and there are loads of ways to manage it and keep them going. You can pm me if you like. Don't despair

 

[rcm_73]

Thanks for the reassurance

I will have the vet out again this week and go for the injections I think. Will she need to be X-rayed? As initial diagnosis was done after examination and flexion tests. She is a 16 y.o. ex racer & showjumper so I expect her hocks have taken some battering. Hope your horse recovers too

 

[Pidge]

read this and my many other posts on hock spavin, there is hope http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/sh...rue#Post2227211

 

[rcm_73]

Thanks for the reassurance that there is hope! Unfortunately my insurance doesn't cover vets fees for anything other than "external visible injury" because the horse is over 13, so looks like it could get costly. Have rang the vet and am waiting to be informed of the next stage of treatment. Are you and Pidge off to Somerford Park at the weekend? May even see you there with my other (sound!) horse!!

 

[Hanovarian Mare]

Let us know what the vet says and good luck! Mine (19 yrs old) was diagnosed with spavin on both hocks 3 years ago, left was worse than the right, and went eventually for an operation on both hocks to force the bones to fuse. Normally once one leg is really bad, the other leg is not far behind, because the horse will try to compensate. Mine could hardly walk before the op, and is today still on one bute a day but very happy. I will never jump him again though. I tried to reduce the bute over time, but this is really the level he is most comfortable with. Thing is - it can never be cured as it is a derogatory disease, but you can make your horse more comfortable for sure. All the best!

 

[cyearsley]

My last horse was diagnosed with this in one hock and had the joint medicated (injected) and after a few weeks off went back in to full work, bits of cross country though didn;t do much showjumping as advised this would put more pressure as they go back further onto their hocks where as xc they take it more in their stride (at my level anyway 2' 9" ish!!) I used to compete him at around 3-3'3 but just reduced it to make it easier and he was as happy as larry. Also maintained him on Cortaflex and gave him Cortavet for a couple of days if he was working harder for a competition etc. My insurance paid out for all this treatment and the Cortavet for the following 12 months after the injury. Unfortunately I lost him to an unrelated condition (fatal puncture wound) but he was just starting to need the hock re-injecting about 9 months later so the cost wasn't too bad at all. There is also a drug which cannot remember for the life of me what it is called but if you search this Forum you will find it, it is supposed to help this condition if medicating the hock doesn't prove effective - hope this helps and PM me if you want any further details. Good luck

 

[cyearsley]

Found it - its called Tildren, they were doing trials on it when my boy was diagnosed but he never needed it. IS supposed to be great for spavins and think this is the link to their website
http://www.tildren.com/TildrenUK.nsf

 

[Pidge]

no problem, will try to find other posts with costs and treatment on for you. Hopefully going to Somerford on Saturday if they let the lorries off the yard!

 

[Flicker]

Hi MyMills. The mare (13yrs TB / ID) has a fully fused bone spavin in her off hind hock. She was lame for a bit and was diagnosed, but the vet wanted to continue the fusing process through work, so I buted her up and carried on riding as normal - flatwork only though. After about 9 - 12 months I took her off the bute and he trotted her up and said that she had made 'excellent progress' and we could keep her off the bute. So far, I've not looked back. She is a 'happy hacker' but I also compete her in unaffiliated dressage and showing, which she loves. She has never been pulled out of a class for showing lameness and her dressage tests often commend her trot work.
It is by no means the end of the world and a TB mare on our yard has them and is jumping like a star and is completely sound.
I was unable to claim on insurance - I was given the mare and so did not have her vetted and insurance company felt that the problem would have been there prior to her purchase and would therefore have been picked up at a vetting. But the total cost to me was only a couple of hundred quid for the x-rays, and the cost of the bute, so I was not too badly off (considering the mare was £1!!)
Good luck - I'm sure you'll both be out having loads of fun before you know it!!