Symptoms of hock / bone spavin please?

[jnb]

Am really worried about my cob - he has been "not right" on and off for about 10 days - sound, but taking the odd "strange" step behind on corners when in the school.
He can get a tight shoulder (he has Shiatsu massage for this) and I think I have been mistaking the odd steps with this

Anyway, he had a sore back from his show saddle 5 weeks ago, had vet and had a week off, plus 2 Shiatsu sessions and seemed fine. I have ordered a new show saddle.
Last Tuesday he was shod, and the farrier has taken his feet right back - the shortest I;ve ever seen them, though he is not footsore.

But on Sunday my instructor felt he wasn't quite right (not lame) but he improved as he warmed up.
Hacking seems OK, I lunged Weds to see what was going on and he seemed fine on left rein but taking an odd short step on the right, again it improved with warming up.

Yesterday however on my lesson we seem to have pinpointed that he isn't flexing his hocks as well as usual - I'm terrified it is hock spavin

Has anyone any experienced? Am getting an experienced horse vet out today hopefully (I want the senior partner).

Edited to say top vet can't come till Monday - and I've just realised I've put this in the wrong forum ! Will copy it into the Vet one (doh!)

 

[GoJo]

my older boy was diagnosed with arthritic changes in his off hock over a year ago when he started being reluctant on the right rein - they did flexion tests and he was fine and then xrays/nerve blocks etc and found he had the start of spavin as well as PSD .

He had around 6 months off - box then field rest and was brought back into work properly January this year and is doing brilliantly- just hacking though.

He's on a supplement called pernamax for the arthritis and i keep him well rugged and out 24/7 . Just about to start some light schooling with him to see how he copes . Arthritis can be managed well now and they can also do steroid injections which can help some cases (not in my boys case though) - not the end of the world if its managed well.

 

[georgiegirl]

George was diagnosed with hock spavins when he suddenly began Broncing me off on landing when jumping. Bless him he never stopped refusing as he loved it so much just dumped me on the other side!

We had him x-rayed and nerve blocked to find it. After that, he was on box rest then brought slowly back into work. He has cortisone injections into the joint once a year which really do make a difference. you can tell when its coming up to needing another one as he starts taking the toes off his hind feet.

The vets have told me he could resume his jumping career but to be honest he's 14 this year, Ive had him for 10 years and he owes me nothing. Hes taken me to some fabulous places and I dont want to do something if its going to break him down. But, hes now sound, happy and doing well at dressage so dont be disheartened!