Question on bone spavin

[rcm_73]

One of my horses has just been diagnosed as having bone spavin and arthritis in hind legs

In terms of work what does the future hold for her? Also what is the best routine for her with regards to turnout / stabling? Would she need to be given bute regularly or what supplements might help? My vet has suggested a few things to me but just wanted to hear some of the first hand expertise so often found on this forum. Thanks in advance x

 

[rema]

If i may jump in on this post too as i am thinking of taking on a mare with a bone spavin for a companion/broody.!.thanks

 

[Paint it Lucky]

My friends horse was diagnosed with bad bone spavin, he was very lame at the time and had to have a lot of time off and a lot of bute, but he did get sounder. She has been advised only to use him for hacking though and possibly gentle schooling but no jumping allowed. Her horse is quite old and a cob type. Without knowing your whole individual situation I wouldn't know how badly your mare would be affected though.

Rema: Are you sure it is a good idea to breed from a horse with bone spavin?

 

[cyearsley]

My last horse was diagnosed with this and he had the joint medicated (injected) and after about a month off (...it was a while ago) returned to work though I gave him a bit of an easier life. He was 14 and had done a lot of jumping/xc in his life before I got him and he went back into full work but with less showjumping (less getting back on his hocks) and more xc (letting him take it in his stride) but nothing over 2'9 -3 ft. My instructor reckoned I prob had another 1-2 years left doing that level before he would need a really easy life. He was generally stiff behind even prior to the diagnosis and I had him on Cortflex and if doing a day of harder work, would give him some Cortavet (from vet on insurance) prior to and post to give him some extra help. I lost him to an unrelated accident but he was just about to have the hock re-medicated which lasted about 9months to a year. The bone spavin is basically an arthritis condition so whilst it can be managed in most cases, you need to bear in mind that it will almost certainly get worse. This is a significant factor to bear in mind when purchasing a horse or breeding from one. Hope this helps and good luck

 

[touchstone]

My horse was thought to have this (turned out she didn't)

The vets advice was to bute and to work as much as possible - this would increase the inflammation and hopefully get the spavin to fuse - the horse would then be sound and pain free.

The other option was to inject into the joint, however after knowing several horses that this hasn't been successful with I would definitely be wary about this route.

Turnout is better than stabling and as much movement as possible to keep joints mobile.

On the supplement side of things I've heard very good reports from people using Riaflex.

 

[brighteyes]

Mine has this and has periods of being moderately 'stiff', very unlevel to hopping and almost completely sound! He's had it three years and I have hardly interrupted his riding except on very bad days, but things change around his mobility and comfort as necessary. He still jumps as enthusiastically and cleanly and high - upto 1.05m and gallops idiotically around the field (seemingly whether he is sound or not) but his trot can feel awful. Roadwork, advised my vet, post HA injections, is good and he only had the one treatment - after which he was brill before degenerating once again. Thing is, he always did move like a camel, so not a case of ballerina to cripple! He gets bute only in extreme days of pain (he's a total wimp) and 60 sachets last me about 6 months.

It does vary from horse to horse and I wouldn't breed off a spavined animal for hereditory reasons, as it's often conformation related.

 

[bellaM]

You really need to take your vets advice, bone spavins vary greatly!

 

[manicmare]

It showed up my pony had a very mild one on a scan but I think it had fused and no problems really does vary