Osteoarthritis in hocks, experiences please...

My LW cob was diagnosed at 8, now still in hacking work at 20, having hunted 12 seasons, competed RC dressage to elementary and evented at 90. It is a condition that can be managed with (in my horse at least) hock injections periodically, physio for the secondary muscle compensation issues, careful skilled shoeing, feed supplements, lots of slow consistent work and regular stretching/groundwork. He's actually sounder at 20 than he was at 8.... so don't write the future off just yet!
 
I have been through the same this year!

Beginning of May pony went lame, previous to this he was in full work doing fun rides, jumping, schooling etc

Vet did nerve blocks, Xrays and found bad arthritis in his nearside hock (other hock wasn’t too bad).

We tried to do an osphos hock injection (£800) he was box rested for 3 days and then back out in the field. Unfortunately for him he looked worse than before (although did look better around 6-8 weeks after injection). Vet said he was still 5/10 lame and in her opinion un-rideable.

Last week he went to hospital, had further xrays and nerve blocks. The hospital said I had two options, retire at home on bute or have a hock fusion surgery.

We decided to go ahead with the surgery and he came back home yesterday.

I believe the hock fusion op has a fairly good success rate (here’s hoping!)
 
Jumping in here..can you tell me how much it cost to have hocks injected please? Will be having vet to mine soon, reluctance to go downhill and holding one back leg up when I pick his feet out, resistant and trying to kick..not nastily (never kicked or anything in 12 yrs)..just trying to get ball park figures on costs in my head sorted!
 
My horse was diagnosed with arthritis in her hocks and sacro-iliac joint when she was only 6. Her confirmation makes her predisposed to joint issues. She had steroid injections in both hocks and sacro-iliac and then again nine months later. Since then she has had only her hocks done every 2-3 years. We know when she needs them because she starts to get nappy and buck in canter. We also try to do her in the spring just before she goes out 24/7 for the summer.
Cost is 200-300 in our area.
 
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