Is there an operation for capped hocks?

[express_75]

As above really...

I have a colt (for showing) and he had capped hocks when i bought him but was told that dsmo applied would help get them down - hasn't worked and he's a fab moving welsh d with a lovely nature - i don't want to have to sell him on

Any advice?...thanks

 

[BayJosie]

I could be completely wrong but I don't think there is.

My mare has one capped hock that she's had since she was a baby and I was always told by vets that it's simply a cosmetic issue. to be honest, I wouldn't waste my money on an operation for a cosmetic fault.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

old fashioned remedy was goose grease! so buy a goose for next sundays lunch and keep the grease and keep rubbing it in. good luck!

 

[HumBugsey]

old fashioned remedy was goose grease! so buy a goose for next sundays lunch and keep the grease and keep rubbing it in. good luck!

I thought that was while they're forming? Could be wrong, theres a surprising amount to some old wives tails though! lol

 

[charlimouse]

They are purely cosmetic, so no operations as far as I am aware.

 

[I_A_P]

Purely sometic I have been told. My horse recently had bursitus in one of his hocks (he already had capped hocks) so it swelled up a lot but has mostly gone down. Probably will stay slightly more pronounced but should not cause future problems.

My vet did mention that some people have tried to operate on the hocks to remove some excess tissue but would not advise it as it is just opening a can of worms as it is a very very difficult place to get to heal.

 

[Miss Marple]

No operation available so if prognosis is good to guarded you could ask if your vet would "tap it" (insert a needle into your horse's bursa and withdraw fluid), and then inject a small amount of anti-inflammatory medication. You may also want to look at prevanative measures i.e. installing kick boards in stable, changing his bedding if he's having difficulty rising etc.

Good luck, i know how you feel as i show and ideally this is not great for the showring whether cosmetic or not!

 

[R2R]

Cosmetic surgery for horses...whatever next.