When would you not medicate hocks?

[pistolpete]

Eight year old TB Non specific lameness going to have vet work up next month. Hocks suspected as slight hind limb toe drag. He’s a lovely lad and just musing really over pros and cons with one so young. Belongs to a good friend.

 

[Michen]

Personally I would never stick a needle in a joint without an actual diagnosis ie lameness blocked to hock.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Ex racer? If so, quite common I’d say.

If medicating hocks is recommended at the work up, I’d want to medicate with athramid but only after X-rays, nerve blocks etc.

 

[pistolpete]

He never raced. He’s such a sweet horse. Agree needs proper diagnosis first.

 

[rabatsa]

Having had horses that have been medicated and it lasting less than 3 months, I will never bother having it done again and just retire straight away.

 

[Rowreach]

I wouldn't until I'd done a full work up to figure out why the hocks had gone. They are usually the result of something else somewhere else.

 

[SEL]

Having had horses that have been medicated and it lasting less than 3 months, I will never bother having it done again and just retire straight away.

did you have arthramid? Steroids had no real effect on mine and I'd go straight for arthramid next time round.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would want some xrays as a minimum for diagnostics .

 

[Rowreach]

The OP isn’t suggesting medicating anything until after the vet work up next month, so I don’t know why people think they’re just going to inject blindly into the joint/s.

The question was when wouldn’t you do it.

 

[ihatework]

When would I not do it - if I had something old/retired or severe lami risk. Then I’d just manage with anti-inflammatory.

Otherwise I wouldn’t withhold joint injections. I’d check response with steroid first then move to arthramid.

 

[Widgeon]

Having had horses that have been medicated and it lasting less than 3 months, I will never bother having it done again and just retire straight away.

On the other hand, in mine hock steroids last for 10-12 months and have done for a few years. As it's not particularly expensive I'd say it's worth a try if the diagnosis suggests it should help.

 

[rabatsa]

On the other hand, in mine hock steroids last for 10-12 months and have done for a few years. As it's not particularly expensive I'd say it's worth a try if the diagnosis suggests it should help.

I suppose that every horse reacts differently. Merlin had been a road racer and had a hard time before he came to the RDA as a 7yr old. He was 12 when injected and came to me for rehab. He never left me until we put him down aged 16.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Having had horses that have been medicated and it lasting less than 3 months, I will never bother having it done again and just retire straight away.

Thats a poor response to injecting is that steroid or arthramid?

I used arthramid into hocks 18 months ago and mine is still sound.
*touch wood*!