Recently I’ve noticed some swelling in my young QH gelding’s hocks. I’m not sure how the swelling happened. He could have been kicked, played too hard, or it could have happened while riding. It’s just a slight difference, but I want to nip it in the butt while I can. His hocks do not seem to bother him. I am no pro, but there does not seem to be a lot of heat. I have never used any BOT things, but would love to hear other’s opinions. I also would like to know which would be the more appropriate hock boot- with the hole vs without I plan to hose the hocks every day, use liniment, and use the hock boot.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!
I am not a huge fan of adding more heat to swelling, so I wouldn’t use a back on track product. Hocks are very difficult to wrap effectively. I would cold hose. Is the horse sound? Does swelling go down with work?
A friend’s young tb (he was 5 at the time) presented with swelling in a hock. He was sound. Swelling reduced when worked. Vet examination 1: horse exhibited no pain, no unsoundness, recommendation was to apply surpass I think twice daily. Again, swelling would reduce and return, but still no unsoundness. Vet Exam 2 involved x-rays, revealed an OCD lesion the size of a pin head. As no unsoundness presented, no further action was taken. Horse is now 10 and has been perfectly sound for my friend who is a moderately active rider, jumps a couple times a month.
Whether he would have had issues with a more active rider, who knows.
If I were in your position, I’d probably just get x-rays done sooner rather than later, because I think that’s cheaper in the long run than throwing products and equipment at an unknown issue.
Diagnostics first, so you know what you may have going on in there and what is not.
Those hock boots are for very specific problems and only to be used standing there and for short periods of time.
Mainly you may put them on while grooming and take them off once ready to get on, so as to help warm the joint.
They are not to just reduce swelling without knowing what you have there first.
We had a very good show horse kicked in the hock and he had minimal swelling and was not even sore on it.
That progressed into months of care and eventually surgery and all sorts of problems.
The horse is for now only suitable for light riding with maintenance on that hock.
May not be anything, may be something where getting on it right away could be important.
I would be more aggressive getting a vet to see what you have there.
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I noticed it yesterday and I am always around him. I’m trying to give you the best idea of what is going on. It is only slightly swollen. I rode him today and there was little change before and after. I ran cold water over both hocks and the swollen one did tighten up, but not by much. It is not tender to touch and he acted no different when I rode him. He was completely willing to do anything at all three gaits. I did apply liniment and stalled him.
Yeah, my friend’s horse swelling presented after she had owned him maybe a year. I would have some x-rays taken. It was ultimately a waste of money to pay a vet call and examination fee and for the surpass when we then had to pay the same thing again and for x-rays.
If you choose to use either BoT hock boots (or any boots, for that matter) do NOT put on liniment before using the boots. You will burn your horse.
Do not liniment with BOT!
Agree that this does not sound like a situation that would be helped by BoT wraps. I found them helpful for my gelding who had somewhat arthritic hocks, back when I was still riding him. As a PP said, generally you put them on for a bit to warm the joint before work. I did according to directions, work up to where he would wear them overnight.
Anyway, with heat and puffiness, I’d be more inclined to use ColdFlex wraps after work.
