| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 5:13:22 PM
what is the best way to treat them? ie the least invasive way.
Went to show today and judge made a remark about storm having capped hocks, so he was marked down for it. They arent that obvious. Ive been looking at them last couple of weeks and thinking are they swollen? arent they? but when I look at the photos my dad took, his off side is worse than his near side.
I know to cold hose but had a couple of people suggest other things. Like glycerin? or brush on iodine for 3 days, 3 days off, 3 days on again (apparently an old method) and udder cream. |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| dawn |
Posted - 17 Apr 2013 : 3:54:47 PM
i advise getting them checked out and buying a pressage boot (you can look this up online) its a special pressure boot that fits snuggly on the leg and over a short time redistributes the fluid build up as generally a capped hock is purely that but without this they can get worse and very unsightly. my boy had 1 capped hock from kicking a wall (Accidentally) and this caused it to cap, i did have to have it drained as very large but once drained to get worse fluid off the pressage boot was amazing. Be careful if you try to recreate the boot via pressure bandaging though as you dont want to cause any further problems with tight bandages thats why the boot works really well. hope you get it sorted xxx |
| LIV |
Posted - 10 Apr 2013 : 07:35:36 AM
I have used DMSO in the past on capped hocks and they look totally normal now. Your vet would have to prescribe it. |
| Pashon2001 |
Posted - 09 Apr 2013 : 5:23:50 PM
They are unsightly but judges at smaller shows tend to pic on things like that more than the bigger ones. One of the worlds most famous arabians has the most appauling capped hocks, and hes been a multi champion!! |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 08 Apr 2013 : 10:08:08 PM
I was looking at them again tonight. They are barely noticeable. I know some judges wont bother as its not a conformational fault while others will be harsh (if they notice).
Ill try the udder cream and massage over next few days and see what happens. Ive decided Im not going to stress about it. He still has good movement etc. Ill just have to pick out the judges that choose good movement/conformation over tiny blemish. |
| AnnaMaisy25 |
Posted - 08 Apr 2013 : 08:50:48 AM
Splash has one capped hock, which appeared shortly after she arrived at the riding school I was at. The vet came out to her then owner, and thought she has probably done it at some point between unloading from the pig trailer and getting her into her new stable.
It doesn't cause her too many issues, and is covered by 'cob hair', which even in the summer is thick enough to cover it up. Plus, her tail is so thick, unless you tied it up, there isn't much chance of seeing her hocks!!
We don't use anything for her, the vets have medicated her hocks about 4 times, but that is for osteoarthritis, not the actual capping, but it does help reduce swelling.
There isn't a lot you can do, as far as we have been told, but the swelling doesn't ever reduce fully. She made a trip to Cambridge Veterinary Hospital about three years ago, after a rotational fall left her with three damaged vertebrae, and the specialists there, drained it to see how filled it was. Basically nothing there, it just looked extra puffy after she had had her hocks clipped out for medication.
Lucky us - sarcasm - she has torn her annular ligament on the leg with the capped hock. So bandages and stable chaps from now on. Or bandages up until she is sound again at least.
Sorry, that's an essay and a half. Apologies. Basically, it shouldn't affect them, and stable chaps should help as the swelling stays warm, it stops it from thickening
Anna x |
| glo |
Posted - 08 Apr 2013 : 08:11:15 AM
My filly Peaches has caped hocks, like your horse one is bigger then the other, she had them when I got her, I always thought that once they have them you've got them for ever!! Would hock boots help, I know it would protect that area! would it also reduce the swelling. |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 08 Apr 2013 : 12:22:05 AM
Just had a look robinsons do them for £15 or if you google neoprene hock boots loads of options come up, might be worth a try for that money. |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 08 Apr 2013 : 12:16:27 AM
My friend has a very heavy 17h horse who splits his hocks just by laying down, she has some fetching hock boots made of neoprene they do work I will see if I can find out about them for you. |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 9:10:18 PM
My other thought is the ground in the field is rock hard just now, its bone dry. Suppose he could of easily done it there when hes been rolling or lying down. Il have to tell him to just eat instead...Im sure he'l be happy with that, lol.
Going to try the udder cream treatment, see how that goes. I pass the cattle market on way to stables so can pop into the shop. I used it on Velvs years ago and it worked, but I had got it literally the day after it happened. Hoping I can still get this in time before its a permanent blemish. |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 9:04:09 PM
I dont think the rubber matting stops them I still think most rubber mats are still too hard, deep bed is the only way. |
| Pasch |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 8:19:05 PM
Rubber matting but no foam he would probably tear it apart in no time  |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 7:53:12 PM
That sounds like a good idea - rubber matting up the wall. Bloomin' horses!
Caryn |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 7:28:21 PM
He has quite a good bed and rubber mats but Ive added more just in case. I think its when he stands against the wall in the corner. He seems to do all his dropping in one corner, right up against the wall and he stands/sleeps there too. He stands and squashes any banks. Was thinking about getting a some sort of foam/rubber padding for the back wall. |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 07 Apr 2013 : 6:49:40 PM
I don't know about treatment but I would make sure you have thick enough bedding in the stable - getting up & down on thin/movable beds can cause damage.
Caryn |
