Which hock is dodgy...

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Flicker

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if she's struggling to canter on the left rein?
Is it the near hind, because it is leading or the off hind because it is on the outside?
The reason I ask is because she's got bone spavin on the off hind and I'm very concerned that it might be starting in the near hind too.
Recently, she's been reluctant to spark off on the correct leg in canter on the left rein and is unbalanced and bends to the outside in canter. I am wondering if this is the start of something...
 
If you are on the left rein, the canter stride originates from the off hind, which is the one you say she has bone spavin in.

What treatment is she having for it, and how far is it fused? If she's not comfortable, perhaps she needs some time off/a bit of bute maybe? I'd seek the advice of your vet.

If you think there may be a problem in the left hock, flexion tests will give a good indication initially.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks very much for this.
The spavin is completely fused and she is in the care of a good vet, who has advised tirelessly and patiently throughout her condition. She's had it approximately two years now.
This canter thing is fairly recent - last month or so.
I'm wondering if it is the cold weather. She was out of action last winter with a badly cut fetlock and bruised sole, and the winter before with a nasty deep abscess caused by her over-reaching and actually cracking the hoof wall. So I've not really ridden her while it has been really cold.
I will discuss with the vet on the phone today and maybe slip her half a bute with her breakfast for the next few days and see if she improves.
 
Hmmmm - My horse has recently come up with a very swollen and painful NEAR hind. We don't yet know the cause. A day or so before this happened I was having real issues getting him to strike off correctly into canter on the LEFT rein.
So this would go against the theory that the off hind was causing the issue with left lead canter........because it was the left hind that was the issue???? (perhaps because the left hind would be taking most of the weight during the transition??)
 
Not sure, my horse is currently lame & unable to canter on the right rein; my instructor & I both thought left hock but vet on initial exam thought right stifle. Will be getting nerve blocks etc to try to decide what is wrong.
 
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