I’m just curious if anyone can advise if youngsters NOT in work, no lameness, no sensitivity, heat, can have ‘bulbous’ looking ?? (not extremely so) hock points? Filly has had no other joint ‘swell’. Vet says this is not unusual and she is fine…but I wanna know if this is something I need to evaluate more? NOT a stall kicker, no injury . I have read it could? be a mineral imbalance, but all I’ve read on that indicates if salts/minerals are added this will handle the issue. she has been on salt / minerals (equimen) and salt block in stall, on safechoice grain, plus probiotics and ground flax. half day turnout on grass, half day in stall with Timothy / orchard mix.
Capped hocks are just cosmetic and have no bearing on soundness. It is not even considered a ding against a horse at inspection approvals.
My filly was kicked pretty badly by another mare I had and has had them ever since that day. There’s nothing wrong via x-ray but they are there now.
gotcha. I know if they indeed ARE capped the fact they can perform fine with them and they are just cosmetic after healing. What I kinda? wanted to know is if it can be? somewhat common for youngsters to exhibit them in ‘looks’ and then have them recess if its not a true ‘capped’ issue, but just growth imbalance/mineral imbalance, etc? that they grow out of?
I seem to remember that my young horse had the same look. He must have grown into them. He is now 14 and his hocks look perfectly normal.
[QUOTE=HappyTalk;8313957]
I seem to remember that my young horse had the same look. He must have grown into them. He is now 14 and his hocks look perfectly normal.[/QUOTE]
Same thing here.
I had a weanling filly with minor, unexplained capped hocks. A year later they were perfect.
thanks you guys. I will of course also check with vet. (which as mentioned, I have done) but it helps? to know some youngsters show this and then its not permanent.
Although not truly capped hocks I have had youngsters get slightly puffy hocks occasionally during a growth spurt
