SI/ Suspensory/ Hock

[brambleroo]

So my pony is currently on 6 weeks walk/hacking after lameness - by lameness I mean off particularly on one rein but not hopping lame by any means in her right hock. They think there’s something going on possibly SI /suspensory or hock but want to see if there’s improvement after 6 weeks of steady work. I’m just wondering peoples experiences and if there horse came back into work after been diagnosed? I’m aware it could be a long journey but feeling a little deflated at the moment so hoping there’s some positive stories

 

[ycbm]

If they think there is a hock or suspensory issue then personally I would be requesting x rays and scans now, not in 6 weeks time, unless you are short of cash.

There's a lot that can be done with hocks and i know of PSD that has come right with treatment. I hope things go well with your pony.
.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I agree with the above. Hock x-rays aren't expensive and I'd want them done now. If a ligament issue is suspected, this will only get worse with exercise.

My boy has hock arthritis but after Arthramid injections has come sound and is now back in work. He came sound in 48 hours. He also had a very sore SI as a result of the hocks.

 

[Hackback]

Mine was diagnosed with bilateral hindlimb PSD earlier this year (lameness workup followed by ultrasound). He had both suspensories medicated and I was given a 6 week rehab plan which I followed to the letter. A rescan at the end of the rehab showed his ligaments had returned to normal. I've just had him back for a check up scan, and he's still good.

Must admit I was surprised because everything I've read about PSD is bad news, but the vet said that lots of horses come sound with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

 

[lynz88]

If it is arthritis in the hock/suspensory, no amount of rest will heal it and you should be looking at radiographs. However depending on how bad it is, it can be managed. Mine has gone from absolutely refusing to move to striding out through the use of hoof boots (he also has arthritis in the LF navicular), daily bute, and I do a cartrophen injection once a month as we have also found arthritis all over him through our investigations. He has been medicated with hock injections but that was nearly 2 years ago now. Ensuring proper NPA alignment is also very important and lateral support on the hinds may also be useful.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Weird they’ve advised 6 weeks steady work? Every vet I’ve used has gone straight to diagnostics unless like YCBM says - money or something is an issue.

 

[brambleroo]

I think he’s advised 6 weeks as he saw her about two weeks ago for a scope to check her, as part of it she had to be lunged as it was to do a with her fitness as I bought her in a very very obese state. When I lunged her he was impressed with how she had come on and her movements looked really good and she was in fantastic health. I assume this is why but I think il just get her xrayed as I’d rather check

 

[Widgeon]

If it is arthritis there are lots of good options for management so chances are it won't take too long to hit on something that works well for your pony. Even when arthritis looks quite nasty on an x-ray it still may not make them visibly hopping lame - just "off" - so I would also x-ray hocks. Whatever it is you will have done her a huge favour by getting the weight off her, I hope it turns out to be something mild and straightforward to treat (or even resolves by itself!).

 

[dixie]

Mine was like this last year.
He would come out of the stable really lame and then after a few minutes would be sound.
I hacked him only for about 3 months and he came right. It was thought as a form of sticking stifles.
He then in the summer had a suspensory issue which was diagnosed by X-rays/scans so I was back to just hacking again for the summer. We seem to be back on track now. He’s also young at 6 and has grown a lot over this period.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My 18 year old was diagnosed with mild hock changes and suspensory damage it was all treated and he was looking good but still not right, the canter was poor so we treated si joint about 6 weeks later and his looking so much better now I have been doing lots of hacking and he has physio every 6 weeks.

He wasn't really very lame he just didnt really look right and I knew after all the initial treatment something was still not right vet agreed so we did the si joint as well, it can all be related and have a knock on effect to the whole back end.

I wouldn't wait I would get a proper work up done now so you know what your dealing with, leaving it and just carrying on can cause further damage and discomfort so just makes the rehab longer.

 

[holeymoley]

I agree with the above. Hock x-rays aren't expensive and I'd want them done now. If a ligament issue is suspected, this will only get worse with exercise.

My boy has hock arthritis but after Arthramid injections has come sound and is now back in work. He came sound in 48 hours. He also had a very sore SI as a result of the hocks.

May I ask how roughly how much this was? My gelding is 20 now and while he is still sound, he can be slightly stiff behind first thing, so it’s something I should probably put money by for.

 

[Sossigpoker]

May I ask how roughly how much this was? My gelding is 20 now and while he is still sound, he can be slightly stiff behind first thing, so it’s something I should probably put money by for.

You'd pay the call out and sedation and then depending on the vets , they might charge a set up fee plus a fee per plate , or just a fee per plate. I think mine was around £300 (mine needs double sedation). But if you call your vet practice,.they can give you a fairly accurate figure.
At age 20 the vet might be happy to treat just based on an examination , although personally I'd prefer mine to have an accurate diagnosis. Or just for general stiffness they might recommend a course of Cartrophen injections , which in my experience have made a huge difference to older horses.

 

[lynz88]

Cartrophen is expensive but worth it. I swear I do see a difference after I've given him some. Agree that at age 20 they (and tbh I probably would opt for this as well) may well just suggest a good joint supp, bute, and/or cartrophen without doing radiographs and see how you get on. I would be tempted to try boswellia or devils claw and see if any change (boswellia isn't strong enough for mine and makes him super dopey) before resorting to something stronger.