Would you buy a horse with a capped hock?

Tiarella

Tiarella

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Hi guys,

Seen a horse that ticks all my boxes other than a prominent capped hock on right hind. I haven't much personal knowledge on capped hocks other than reading information off the internet which really seems quite positive. Obviously it's not the most attractive thing to look at but she is cheap (due to hock) and seems suitable for what I want to do. I was interested to hear about long term prognosis and effects on insurance. The mare is currently jumping discovery and is sound.
 
My old roan boy had two capped hocks and apart from causing him to be marked down in show classes they never presented him with any physical problems. As spacefaer says, they are unsightly but don't appear to cause lameness.
 
I just bought one with a capped hock on near hind. Passed 5 stage vetting with no issues and is also insured with no exclusion. If it ticks the boxes and the price is right then go for it.
 
I bought a lovely horse with a capped hock and treated it with wonder drug DMSO which completely brought down the swelling. He was out 24/7 so didn't have a chance to be banging it and it never swelled in the three years I had him. To look at him only an expert would have spotted the hock, post DMSO treatment.
 
Capped hocks are only a no-no if you want to trot around in a showring going "look at my gorgeous faultless neddy!"...
 
I did! He actually had that hock x-rayed (his movement went a bit weird, turned out to be ulcers!) and it was completely clean. And this is a very obviously capped hock, noticeable from quite a distance.

So if you're really worried you could always x-ray :)
 
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