Thoroughpin

[fjp]

Can anyone tell me what this is? Apparently the horse I help exercise had problems with it in the past. I knew he had a weak hock that used to cause problems in the past when he was competing (eventing), but I don't know much more.

Is it likely to be an ongoing problem, and if so does it limit how much he can do, or is it more like a splint - once over the initial formation no real problem.

Thank you in advance,
Fiona

[angel]

i have an 18 yr old mare who threw 2 throughpins when she was 6 yrs old . it caused a problem when it happened but once settled has been no noticeable problem the one is quite large and can be pushed from side to side this is how you can reconise a throughpin. it feels slightly round like a small tennis ball. or ping pong ball. the other is smaller, the only problem she has is in lifting her leg to high as for shoeing or trimming and a lower step to put her foot on is used. now though she has a bit of artritis in her legs. but this is also in her front legs as well. i did endurance dressage and some jumping with her and it never affected her at all. good luck i hope this helped.

[fjp]

Thanks for the speedy response Angel! Glad to hear they didn't affect your mare too much. Am I right in thinking they are round the hock area? I've tried looking them up in the books I have with no success - maybe I have got a use for a vetinary encyclopaedia!

Fiona

[angel]

sorry yes they are in hock area. my horses are just below point of hock if you slid your hand down to the point then feel either side of it you should find it sometimes they can stick out either side and look like a slight swelling.

[fjp]

Thanks Angel - I'll have a look next time I'm on the yard.

Fiona

[fionahogg]

Hi Fiona. A thoroughpin is an inflamed tendon sheath which encloses the deep digital flexor tendon as it passes behind the hock. A soft swelling appear approximately level with the point of the hock and extends from one side to the other beneath the tendons that cross over the point of hock. It is a bursal enlargement. The bursae are sacs containing synovial fluid; this fluid lubricates joints and tendons so that they can move without friction. A thoroughpin (as with other bursal enlargements such as bog spavins and windgalls) is the result of a strain or injury that causes more fluid to be produced, and a soft, visible swelling (bursal enlargement) will result. Thoroughpins often recur, but seldom cause lameness. They are usually indicitive of weak hocks or of hocks that have been put under undue strain too quickly.

[fionahogg]

Hi Fiona. A thoroughpin is an inflamed tendon sheath which encloses the deep digital flexor tendon as it passes behind the hock. A soft swelling appear approximately level with the point of the hock and extends from one side to the other beneath the tendons that cross over the point of hock. It is a bursal enlargement. The bursae are sacs containing synovial fluid; this fluid lubricates joints and tendons so that they can move without friction. A thoroughpin (as with other bursal enlargements such as bog spavins and windgalls) is the result of a strain or injury that causes more fluid to be produced, and a soft, visible swelling (bursal enlargement) will result. Thoroughpins often recur, but seldom cause lameness. They are usually indicitive of weak hocks or of hocks that have been put under undue strain too quickly.

Hope this helps!

Fiona

[fjp]

Thanks Fiona - great explanation! I'd wondered if it was to do with bursae, esp as he's got windgalls as well.

Do you know a good reference book, or is this stuff you've picked up as you've gone along?

Fiona

[fionahogg]

Hi Fiona. Well I'm doing my Pony Club 'B' test this year and have to know all about leg ailments! I have a couple of good books - The PC manual is good but rather 'old fashioned', and I've got 'The A-Z of Horse's Health' which just lists loads (like, 1000s!!) of different ailments, and 'Veterinary notes for the horse owner' which is also good!

Fiona