swollen hock

[Ted's mum]

suzy my welsh cob mare has got a slightly swollen hock - is fluidy and moves if that makes sense....she isnt lame and there is no heat or swelling in it, maybe she has knocked it or something, dont think its capped hock it isnt swollen enough?? what you guys reckon??

 

[ImogenBurrows]

Hi there,

On the front, back or side?

The front pouch of the hock can fill with wear and tear over time - known as a bog spavin. The side can have a round type of swelling which is the plantar (back) pouch of the hock joint, so technically also bog spavin. The side can also have a linear swelling of the tendon sheath - a thoroughpin; and finally there is swelling of the bursa on the point of the hock - true capped hock.

Which one it is can have different causes and also treatments, but essentially if the horse is sound and non-painful monitor it and if you're worried call the vet to check the hock over.

HTH
Imogen