Suddenly swollen hock, no heat, horse not lame...

[Abbie.S]

16yo gelding, in full work, no history of hock issues (or any lameness issues).

Was grooming him up this afternoon and thought his R hock looked off. Palpated, felt like there was fluid but no heat. Hard to describe, his entire joint just looked too big and too smooth/without bony contouring.

Couldn’t get him to get annoyed with my palpating. He was not resting the leg or showing any desire to rest it more than the L. Put him on the line W/T in a circle in the indoor and the parking lot (packed dirt/gravel) and he was sound in both directions, EXCEPT it appeared he was wringing the R hock slightly, which is something I don’t recall seeing him do for some time (he used to when he was less fit, but we’re talking over a year ago). But beyond this, he moved normally on both surfaces.

Decided to go ahead with our gentle hack, stayed at the walk, chose a route that minimized steep hills. He rode completely quietly, normally, with no desire to alter his movement. His RH is also his weak(er) hind, so he always tries to travel in a way that gives him a little protection, but he did so no more than normal during the ride. I even consistently asked him to straighten out and work more evenly and he obliged.

Movement did not bring the swelling down, nor 30 or so minutes with the BoT hock wraps, nor did cold hosing. If anything it was more apparent after the ride and all this. Horse still not showing any signs it’s bothering him.

He got a 1/2 gram Bute with dinner and will get another 1/2 tomorrow AM to see if it helps with the inflammation. Any ideas? I’m a fan of Occam’s Razor so I am surmising he and his new pasture buddy were roughhousing and he pivoted off the R hock suddenly and just strained himself, but of course the other options are either totally benign or very, very bad.

[Feathered_Feet]

Could be an allergic reaction to something. Did he just get vaccinated? I once had the exact same thing (hard swelling, no lameness, no discomfort, horse otherwise totally fine) the day after a vaccine. Did the ice, bute, handwalking, it went away the next day I think.

[mdp9]

Is this a small pony? Otherwise a half a gram of bute is hardly anything. I’d do 2g once per day.

If swelling doesn’t go down within a few days I’d consult the vet, maybe shoot a couple radiographs to see what’s up.

[TKR]

He could need an x-ray as it could be a chip floating around. I had a re-school off the track that had a swollen hock and no lameness but had a chip. Easily removed, stall rest and back to work.

[Abbie.S]

Not a small pony, 16h QH. I upped him to 1g AM and PM this morning after I had the same thought.

I am actually now thinking an acute Lyme infection - on his right flank just in front of his stifle I picked a scab off that I didn’t think much about until I saw the even, circular red bite-looking wound underneath, surrounded by a small circle of hairless skin. I’m in VT, Lyme is a way of life around here, and it’s certainly been a nasty spring for ticks already. I am going to have the vet pull a Lyme titer when they come out in a week or so to do a second round of spring shots. He has been what one could consider a little lethargic the last few days, but with the addition of a new pasture mate I had chalked it up to A) being more tired from playing, and B) being more relaxed as he was out solo before and I knew he appreciated and missed a buddy.

Swelling might have gone down a tad overnight although no change after an easy ride this morning, but still no obvious lameness or discomfort.

[Golden_Pony]

Capped hock?

[tipzythegreat]

Is it not a capped hock? Post a picture?

[Abbie.S]

Not a capped hock, the area of swelling is on the lateral surface of the hock joint. Still not much change in swelling, rode him today w/t/c and lateral work and he went beautifully. This is pretty odd, I have to admit.

I’ll see if I can get a good picture of it tomorrow, it’s a bit hard to appreciate in 2D as he’s a bay roan so his legs are black and thus hard to see definition except in good light.

[Abbie.S]

[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-attachmentid”:“10655856”,“data-size”:“full”}[/ATTACH] I’m now 99% sure it’s a thoroughpin. Never actually seen in one IRL - it’s one of those things one hears about in Pony Club or 4-H. It’s amazing how deep in the rabbit hole of internet searching one can go, however!

[Abbie.S]

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[Abbie.S]

Timing makes sense - this horse has moved up in expectations as to how he carries himself so he’s being asked to work more up in the bridle. This started about a month ago. He’s 16 - in fantastic physical shape but 16 nonetheless…so he might need some support now in the joint department.