Will hocks fuse naturally over time?

[LaurenBay]

Some of you will know my 13YO was diagnosed with Hock arthritis (lower joint) in April 2016. Since then she has undergone several different types of treatment, none successful and money ran out. She was retired in May 2017 and has been turned out 24/7 since and not looking too bad at all (odd bute when really cold or damp weather) she was last xrayed in May and vet told me there was slim chance her hocks would ever fuse naturally.

Has anyone else had experience of this happening?

I have read so many reports on Horses who have gone on to be sound once hocks have fused. I would love to ride her again obviously, but if I never get to again I can live with that, it would just be nice to know that she will hopefully be completely pain free in the future.

 

[Kezzabell2]

I've been told that they two lower joints do often fuse over time. but I'm not sure it's a given!

Did you not try chemical fusion or your mares hocks? If so, and that didn't work, then perhaps that's why the vet is suggesting it is unlikely to happen?

My horse had his done at 5 and he's now rising 8 and has been great ever since.

 

[whiteflower]

I remember in the old days before all the steroid injections and alcohol fusion and surgery they often used to advise riding the horse on low level Bute until the hocks 'fused' we did this with my childhood pony many many moons ago and he went sound after a year or so and went back to doing pony club like a normal pony. I remember being told I needed to ride him gently to make the hocks fuse something to do with repeated concussion maybe ? If all the new science sadly hasn't helped him maybe hacking him gently on low level bute may be worth discussing with your vet to see if that helps ? I understand not everyone is comfortable riding a horse on Bute but if it's part of a process that may cause the horse to come sound it's something I would give some consideration to and at least worth a chat with your vet

 

[kinnygirl1]

I remember in the old days before all the steroid injections and alcohol fusion and surgery they often used to advise riding the horse on low level Bute until the hocks 'fused' we did this with my childhood pony many many moons ago and he went sound after a year or so and went back to doing pony club like a normal pony. I remember being told I needed to ride him gently to make the hocks fuse something to do with repeated concussion maybe ? If all the new science sadly hasn't helped him maybe hacking him gently on low level bute may be worth discussing with your vet to see if that helps ? I understand not everyone is comfortable riding a horse on Bute but if it's part of a process that may cause the horse to come sound it's something I would give some consideration to and at least worth a chat with your vet

This^ when my boys chemical fusion failed the options suggested to me were long term Bute and work lots on firm surfaces to encourage natural fusion or the surgical procedure done under GA with a drill. I went for the surgery and although it's been a long rehab he is currently sound and hasn't been on pain killers since the first 2 weeks after the Op. The long term Bute option wasn't for me personally because my boy has previously had ulcers and also there were no timescales or guarantees that it would work but that's not to say it's not a good option for lots of horses and owners and might be the solution your girl needs. Defo have a chat with your vet.