Signs of Hock Problems in Your Horse

Noticing your horse isn't bringing their back legs under them like they use to? Not getting quite as must spring off the ground when approaching a fence? Is your horse pulling down in the bit more than usual? It may not be that your horse is not in the shape they use to be; those could be signs of hock problems.

While you may prefer to hear that your horse needs a boost in his training regime, hock problems don't mean the end to you and your horse's success. When noticed earlier enough, there are steps you can take to prolong your horse's career.

What is the Hock?

The hock joint isn't just one thing, rather an area.

The hock links the lower leg bones to the tibia in a horse's upper leg. It consists of four basic joints and multiple bones and ligaments.

The upper joint (the tibiotarsal joint) is responsible for extensions and the majority of the hock mobility. The bottom three joints handle the remaining movement (about 10%).

With so many working parts, wear and tear is typical and expected —especially in working horses. No one breed is more prone to hock problems. Instead, breeds that are taken out of their historical use (like asking a draft horse to be a jumper) are more susceptible to hock injuries and problems.

Signs of Hock Problems in Horses

With hock problems ailing all breeds, it's important to keep an eye for signs. What is lameness shouldn't be mistaken for laziness. While not preventable, when noticed and treated early enough hock problems won't stop your horse in their tracks.

Here are a few common signs of hock problems in horses.

Stiffness

Or rather stiffness at the start of a ride that eventually goes away. When a horse is suffering from a hock problem, all of the ligaments in the joint tense up and become tighter, trying to protect the joints and bones.

This tightness will eventually be worked out as your horse stretches and moves.

Shifting Their Weight

Not all hocks are created equal — even in one horse.

With hock problems, your horse wants the weight off of their bad hock even when standing.

Shifting weight while standing isn't always a sign of hock problems as it's natural to change weight on and off a leg while standing. However, if you notice your horse always takes the pressure off a particular leg, it's worth checking out.

Changes in Gait

Pain alters the movement of any animal. With pain in the back legs, horses will shorten their gait to take weight off their back. If the pain is severe, they may even shift more weight onto their forelegs, ending up in a hunched position.

Less Spring in Their Jump

When approaching a fence, horses shift their weight into their hind in, allowing them to spring off of the ground and clear the fence.

Horses with hock problems are reluctant to do that. In developing injuries, they may still jump, but with less spring. Keep an eye out if your horse gradually begins hanging their back legs and catching rails.

With horses in severe pain from a hock injury, they may start refusing. If your horse wasn't in the habit of stopping before fences and you cannot figure out why they are starting too, take a look at their hocks.

Changes in the Appearance of Their Hock Joint

One of the apparent signs of hock problems is a change in the hock's appearance.

The hock joint has a particular, recognizable anatomy. If you notice any deviations from this or notice swelling, tenderness or heat at the hock, it's time to call your vet.

Treating Hock Problems

While it always breaks your heart when your horse is in pain, the good news is that hock injuries can be addressed.

While not 100% treatable, there are different injections and exercises that will reduce pain and tenderness. With working horses, hock injections are relatively common. Using naturally-occurring injections that act as anti-inflammatories, vets can reduce swelling and discomfort, allowing you and your horse back in the ring.

Hock problems are common in horses — especially working horses. Knowing the signs of hock problems can give you the time to address them with your vet before they take over your horse's career.

Have questions? Think your horse is suffering from a hock injury? Give PHD Veterinary Services a call at 352-258-3571.

Preventing Colic in Horses

Colic.

It's one word that strikes fear in most horse owners — and for good reason! A horse with no outward signs of distress can find themselves in trouble just a few hours later.

With colic in horses causing significant issues, you may be wondering if there are ways of preventing colic. The good news is yes. With a little work, you can help keep your horse happy, healthy, and hopefully colic-free.

First, let's take a quick look at what colic in horses is and why it happens.

What is Colic?

From horses to humans, colic is a broad term that refers to any abdominal pain.

The severity of colic in horses depends on what is causing it. It could be spasmodic colic (or gas colic) caused by excessive gas in your horse's digestion. Or it could be impaction colic with several different causes that are entirely disrupting your horse's digestion.

The severity of colic also dictates a veterinarian's ability to assist. If caught early enough, it may take some medication and slow walks around the barn. If severe, it means going into surgery to remove the impaction.

If your horse is showing the below signs and symptoms of colic, call your vet immediately.

• Rolling or Wanting to Lie Down
• Lack of Appetite
• Lack of Defecation
• Lack of Normal Gut Sounds
• The Appearance of Being Bloated
• Pawing & Signs of Anxiety
• Increased Heart Rate (normal is 28-44 beats/minute)
• Profuse Sweating 

Colic is quite common and is a broad term. But, there are some things you can do to help reduce your horse's risk.

Tips for Preventing Colic in Horses

Like most things in the world, colic is not 100% preventable. But, you can go a long way in helping prevent severe colic in your horse.

Stay Consistent With Feed, Portions and Times

A potentially common cause of colic is a sudden change in diet, like food type or portion sizes. While changes in diet are sometimes necessary, it's important not be in a constant state of change.

During these shifts, it's best to switch the diet gradually over the week with incremental increases and changes. Small changes allow your horse's digestion to become accustomed to the new grains and food.

Keep Your Horse Moving and Active

A moving horse is a happy horse. And that unrestricted movement during turnout allows a horse's digestion and intestines to stretch out and do their jobs.

With each step your horse takes while socializing or grazing, the food in their gut is moving as well increasing the rate of breakdown and mobility in their system. A horse that is kept in a stall at all times, will have a hard time moving enough to help boost their digestion.

Always Have Fresh Water for Your Horse

Like moving, water helps your horse's digestion, and with preventing colic.

When a horse (or any animal) becomes dehydrated, digestion becomes harder and more taxing on the animal's system. A horse that is turned out or kept in the stall without access to clean water is at higher risk of impaction, one of the more severe types of colic in horses.

Preventing colic in horses isn't always possible, but the above tips can go a long way in helping keep your horse (and their digestion) happy. Have questions? Think your horse is at risk for colic? Give us a PHD Veterinary Services in Florida a call at 352-258-3571.