Scraped Hocks.

[Bri]

Not sure how to prevent them - anyone have any tips?
She's on a thick shavings bed and there's never any 'bald' patches of concrete in the morning where she's kicked the bed around.
Can't really afford rubber matting - is there anything else I can do to stop it happening?

 

[peterthepony]

Well rubber matting would be the best bet hun, but how thick did you say her bed is? What about trying her on different bedding?

 

[Bri]

I know - unfortunately I'm skint as it is. No way I would be able to afford it until after xmas!
Bed is pretty thick - almost to the point where there's too much bedding. Thought shavings would be the best bet for staying put - can anyone suggest anything that works better though?? Can't really afford to play around with different types that won't make any difference!!
Thank you

 

[Patches]

Got any conveyor belt fitters/manufacturers close to you?

They have to pay alot of money to dispose of used belting that they've replaced for customers. If you slip them £20 (or just ask and they might offer free of charge) they will usually give you a roll of belting that you could cut and put down in the stable. It's only thin so not a replacement for true matting. However, it would stop you worrying about your horse physically scraping itself on the bare concrete.

 

[Bri]

Thanks Patches - brilliant idea!!
Now to find out if I have one nearby

 

[Louby]

Just a thought but could she be rubbing them. My boys on mats, walls and floor and has same scraped hocks. Just started doing it about a week ago aaaagh, had the same this time last year!

 

[sevenoceans]

I thought my horse scarped his hocks on floor even with big bed... it was baffling me until i caught him rolling in stable... he did it on the walls! so there's nothing i could do but put plenty of vasline on it to prevent it from scraping... can't put rubber matting on walls as the stables is listed building as i was told.

 

[PapaFrita]

PF does this on ONE hock. I think she does it against the walls. I used to put neoprene hock boots on her, but they made her rather sweaty in summer. Worked OK in winter though

 

[aran]

could you try a deep straw bed with big banks to keep her off the walls and floor? cheaper than shavings too (just a bit more time consuming!)
aran used to get rubs on his hocks and pasterns when he was on matting with shavings - he doesnt on his straw bed.

 

[annie02]

If you cant get the mats I would suggest as sevenoceans, to put vasaline on the parts that are rubbing. It will help allow the hocks to glide rather than catch and rub, also will moisturize the rubs.