Hock swelling - pics

[BBP]

Pony went out on newly cut hay field yesterday and had a good old hoolie around, galloping and turning like a barrel racer on speed. He came in yesterday evening with a swelling on his near hind hock, in the hollow between the point of the hock and the main bony mass. It isn't hot or tender to touch, although my sister did think he was slightly unlevel. Any ideas? Some sort of spavin? Should I be calling the vet? At the moment I am icing for 20 mins every 2hours and resting it. It does seem less pronounced than last night (pics are from this morning).
Normal off hind:

Swelling on near hind, not sure if its easy to see on black pony.

Thanks

 

[spike123]

if it's a fluidy swelling its most likely a bog spavin/hock sprain. You are doing the right thing by resting it. Cold hosing will help if it is either a sprain or a bog spavin. You could also try wrapping the hock with vet wrap etc and use an ice gel underneath it. However if you have any doubts as to it being the above then I would certainly get the vet. It wouldn't hurt to ring for advice,but it sounds like you are doing the right thing anyway. The thing with the hock is that it is made up of lots of tiny bones and ligaments and is easily damaged. If the swelling gets any worse or is still there after a few days then I would call the vet to be on the safe side.

 

[BBP]

Thanks, you have echoed my own thoughts. With my sisters horse already on box rest with a lesion to the DDFT I am paranoid about not calling the vet, but I am hoping that in a confined space with ice it won't make it any worse to wait a day and see how it is. I will call vet tomorrow if it is still there.

 

[BBP]

Spoke to vets (decided better safe than sorry and my vets are awesome), she has confirmed it as a bog spavin, so rest and ice for a few days and then if he is sound back to work as normal.