Swelling on the hock

[horseywelsh]

Horse has some swelling on one hock, no lameness and swelling varies from virtually nothing to quite obvious. Horse does have a tendency to want to rub, but is turned out 24/7 with nothing to rub on, noticed always goes down on that hock when rolling. Horse wears hockboots when stabled. Can't see any pattern with the hock filling up, but does seem to go down with work. Horse worked 6 days a week, lightly as just backed. I've been putting like ice on hock when it's filled then when swelling has gone down but skin is loose put embrication liquid. on Any thoughts on what else to do? Next step would be vet but as it isn't causing horse any problems not sure what to do? Thoughts on having it drained?
Thanks.

 

[jaffa2311]

hey,
I have a welsh section D who i took to a show 3 weeks ago.
In the middle of the day a fluid lump appeared on the anterior (front) of the leg directly below the hock.
she has never been lame on it and no heat etc but it bothered me that i did not know what it was and whether i was doing harm or good so i got a vet.

the vet took one quick look and said she'd had some sort of trauma to the digital extensor tendon, maybe hitting it on something. This had caused swelling and the fluid didn't have anywhere to go so it was there for good.
bad news for me as she's a show horse! he said that it would never cause future problems or pain and there was nothing he could do about it except take the tendon out which he had done twice before and neither time was it worthwhile for the horse.
Not sure if it is anything like your horse's lump.
It is about 3 cm diameter and sometimes its 'squishier' than other times. After exercise it tends to be less squishy.
Hope this helps in some way!
I'm attempting our last show of the season tomorrow and going to see if the judges place me down for it, she's been placed no lower than third all season in m&m so we'll see :/

 

[horseywelsh]

sounds silmilar - thanks for replying, interesting re vets response to cause.
ours can be "squishier" some days than others too. It is a shame about showing when it causes no problmes to the horse at all, although only just backed said horse has potential to county show but obviousl not with this up and down hock, although shwoing dressage potential too, and loose jumping.

edited to say my horses is in a diff place - actually on the ball of the hock

 

[jaffa2311]

ooh i forgot to say the vet also said that the 'lump' MIGHT go away with time but might not, he wasn't sure then he went to say that horses of her breed, things don't tend to go away :s
i'm hoping that by next seasonit may go down a bit but i think im hoping a bit too much!
doesn't affect dressage or jumpyjumps though so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
let me know if you ever get an answer!
I'll let you know if my g's lump decides to go away away overnight.. lol!