Hock protection

[LouiseH]

Hi-I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me.
My horse keeps banging his hocks on the stable walls (I'm assuming though haven't actually seen him doing so-I make sure he always has enough shavings on the floor), causing one in particular to bleed a bit by the time I turn him out in the mornings.
I've tried bandaging them for protection, but it's such an awkward place that he always has them off within a few minutes.
I have thought about hock boots, but would these be flexable enough for him to lie down in comfort?
I have also ordered some new extended travelling boots, but again, would these be comfortable for him at night?
Thanks for your comments!
Louise

[coss]

I wouldn't want to put travel boots on for in the stable as they really don't allow much movement. they are purely for horses that are going to stand in the box and it is literally just protection.
I don't know much about hock boots but i know that people ride in them so presume they are pretty flexible.

[capalldubh]

Rather than restrict his movement with boots/bandages, why not have a look at padding the walls? rubber matting or sheets, - I'm sure someone on here will have a good suggestion.

What size is the stable? I ask because I have decided our new one is too small for Shannon (she is 15hh, and the stable is just over 8ft by 12ft - it is 12ft deep, by 8ft across the gate that closes it. I am worried she may get cast if she lies down.

Is your stable an odd shape too? Horses are usually pretty careful to stay away from rough surfaces that might damage them :)

[Jessey]

Is your stable big enough for your boy, length wise? if so he shouldn't be catching his hocks on the walls whilst stood up, it is far more likely that as he lays down he is managing to kick the shavings out of his way and catching them on the floor or perhaps rolling too close to the wall and catching them then. Some horses just have very sensitive skin which is easily damaged.

I would get a pair of soft flexible hock boots, fit them tight above the hock to hold them up and leave the bottom loose to allow for more movement when he lays down. I would also ensure your bed is always at least 8" deep to try to ensure he can't get to the floor, or lay rubber matting under his bed.

[teabiscuit]

my sympathies, my boy banged his hocks on his stable walls too, he learned it from his dam. his stable is huge so it isn't a lack of room.

i tried travelling boots with bandages on top to stop them falling down but really was no solution as he got rub marks.
tried hanging rubber sheets from a rail, got the sheets from a quarry where they used it as a belt to travel the stones along, trouble is, what about the door way? also the ruuber sheets have edges too so i think he'd go for that as well, nailed onto the wall i don't think it would offer enough protection from concusion.

we tried an electric shock collar for dogs and hide and shock him when he did it (i know, but we were really desparate)-didn't work.
hock boots lasted one night :(

the answer:
the only thing i can do to stop him is have him out 24/7.this has worked beautifully, and i can thouroughly recomend it if you can possibly do it.he's ok inside for about an hour if i want to leave him in after a ride, but that's all i dare risk.

it's heartbreaking to see them damage themselves for no reason.i hope this helps

[digitalangel]

yep i would try hock boots - i have some i use for riding ;)

[LouiseH]

Hi guys-thanks for your suggestions.
My boy is in an average 12 X 12 stable-it's not tiny by any means-I've watched him turn around fairly easily in it whenever I've been in with him.
I think you're probably right-he does have a tendancy to get a bit excited whenever we leave him at night, so it's possible he walks about a bit before settling down and kicks the shavings out of the way in the middle, although the floor never looks bare in the morning.
He's also a 3/4 thoroughbred, so is very thin-skinned and fine haired too, which helps no end!!
I shall look into the hock boots again-I treid to order some this week from Robinsons, but they were out of stock, so hopefully I can ask my tack shop if they have any.
He's turned out now 24/7 for the last week, but when the weather is really bad, I'm not sure if he'll get a bit chilled.
Also, I'm a bit paranoid about mud fever getting to him, though his field isn't too bad at the moment, but being in northern ireland, we've had a tonne of rain the last week.
My old riding instructor was advised by the vet to put her horse down as he got mud fever so badly (thankfully she didn't, and after loads of TLC he pulled through), but ever since then I've been a little over-protective.
These naughty little horses-why can't they invent wellies for them??!!
Thanks again,
Louise

[galadriel]

Try to be in place to watch a horse lying down and standing up sometime. They end up putting all their weight on their knees and hocks for part of the motion, and they also slide them sideways. With all of their weight behind those little areas, they can push right through shavings down to the floor. They'll drag the hocks along the floor itself as they stand up.

No matter how much bedding you put in a stall, some horses are just going to go right through it as they lie down and stand back up. They won't leave it disturbed, they'll just push through it and come out again, without leaving a bare space.