Thoroughpins - cause and cure?

[tobiano1984]

My 4yo TB was slightly unsound in the school yesterday - fine to start with then had a canter and then wasn't actually lame on a particular leg but just not quite right at the back end. Upon looking closely I noticed he's got thoroughpins - a larger one on the left and a smaller one on the right. I have to say I don't know if they're new - he's been away for a few weeks and it's one of those things I can't think if I've noticed before or only noticed when looking for something wrong!

This morning they're still there and he is sound in walk, again not lame in trot inhand but just a bit 'not right' - to me looks more like a back/pelvis thing so will get the osteo out and give him some time off.

But I know nothing of thoroughpins, I know they're tendon sheath swellings but what causes them (wondering if his workload is too much, although I don't feel it is)? And what can I do to get rid of them? And at what point do you need the vet involved (and what do they do)?

 

[Cowpony]

The only experience I've had of thoroughpins was when I viewed a horse which had them. The owner said that they had had the vet drain them once, but they just filled up again, and it sounded like there was nothing you could do to "cure" them. From what I have read thoroughpins aren't meant to cause lameness, they are just cosmetic, but bog spavins (which are the same sort of thing but on the hock rather than above it) are more likely to do so. When I had this particular horse vetted she showed up lame behind so I walked away and therefore never found out the cause of the lameness.

 

[be positive]

I think they are often a symptom, or sign, of something else going on, they can tend to flare up and go down sometimes depending on workload, in a 4 year old I would be concerned that he is possibly doing a bit much, has a conformational issue that is placing extra strain on the hocks or may have an underlying problem, as yet undiscovered, that is causing them, they rarely cause lameness so I suspect it may be a combination of all 3.
The only youngster I had with them had been kept entire running for 2 seasons with a herd covering the mares, I guess it put strain on the hocks, he was sound as a 4 year old when he started ridden work, they did settle down but never went completely.

 

[tobiano1984]

Now looking back at photos I think he might have always had them (so from racing days), and I've only just noticed as instructor pointed them out! So perhaps not related to current unsoundness...

 

[oldie48]

My horse has a small thoroughpin, he's 12 and doesn't have any lameness associated with it. He is, however, a bit straight in his hock and was eventing at novice level as a 5/6 year old (not with me). He's also a long legged rangy horse so I suspect he had a bit too much strain on his hocks as a youngster. His shoeing was also abysmal when I bought him, long in the toe with very collapsed heels. It doesn't concern me too much but I do work with my excellent farrier to ensure his shoeing gives him as much support as possible and hopefully keep him happy and sound into old age. I think horses with some conformational issues will be more susceptible to thoroughpins and other bursal enlargements but I understand keeping them at a sensible weight, avoiding concussion on hard ground and ensuring they are properly shod if they are wearing shoes helps greatly.