Swollen Hock

[Stushi]

My horse has a slightly swollen hock with some heat. I have poked and prodded all around the area and he is in no pain at all - not at all bothered by it. He is completly sound on soft ground and hard ground and there is no wound or anything there.

I would say it has been like that since Thursday - hasn't got any worse or better. Obvioulsy I will get the vet out if it doesn't go down it's just because he isn't in any pain that I havn't done so already.

Anyone had anything like it? It is only one hock that is affected and he hasn't done anything recently that I could say is the cause of it.

Thanks for any help

 

[Ginger Thing]

Sounds like a capped hock - an inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac surrounding the joint). One of ours has just had a flare-up; once they've had one, it will more than likely come and go. It's normally caused by a bang on the hock eg in a trailer or lorry, against the stable wall or even a kick from another horse. They don't cause any lameness, and are just unsightly. My vet didn't recommend any treatment (they will drain the fluid if it's a top show horse) as there's risk of infection if messing with joints.

I had a similar thing with my fluid on my knee - now whenever I twist or strain it the inflammation comes back, but it doesn't hurt.

 

[Stushi]

Thanks for that and you have just reminded me of something! I had my horse away at a dressage comp on Sunday and travelled him in a trailer with another horse and there were a few 'incidents' on the journey!! Obviously fighting! He has maybe banged it in the trailer.

Do you know if it's ok to exercise as normal if he isn't lame at all or would leaving him off for a while help the swelling.

I am putting Blue Ice gel on it at the mo and havn't ridden for a few days.

Thanks again