Ideas, Imput and results? (Hocks)

ChasnCans · 06-05-2009, 02:42 PM

Well first of all, I'm back..

So most of you know my boy Stormy.

Well I took him to the vet today, good news and BAD news. He needs his hocks injected, both.

Never thought this would happen, well I would but not just yet. He is only 12. He's bones are starting to fuse. Left one is worse than the right. It is something that cannot be fix nor corrected just taken care of. In order for me to run him he will need to be injected.

I know of others that barrel race and there horses plus reining and other rodeo events that need this and more, in all area's of the lower legs. So I'm not too worried-but still, I figure I'd have a good year to year-year and a half of running, before I'll need to retire him to someone that will run slower, or just play around. Heck maybe I may be able to use him longer .. depends I guess?. I feel horriable, should of had him check a long time ago. I'm hoping for the best outturn.

Question is .. what do you all think about this, 'injection' and what type of results did you get?

This may end up being debatable.

cascy · 06-05-2009, 03:02 PM

If you continue to run him at all won't it just make his condition worse?

Sorry I know nothing about this type of injury, but it doesn't sound to good

ChasnCans · 06-05-2009, 03:08 PM

Not with the injections, it is supposed to help him. It is a steriod treatment, I would do all of the options but seeing as he does not have much cartaglie, there is no point in giving him the shots to produce growth. Just the two injections to lube/stimulate ect while letting him be pain free. Allowing the horse free motion of all but one hock joint (there are three in each hock). So said vet.

But once they are completely fused, which could be in a year or ten years he cannot race, only trail and lessuir ridding.

kanoo32 · 06-05-2009, 03:44 PM

We do this all the time in our race horses, and depending on the horse, the injections will only last a few months at best.......I recommend you use a good quality acid with depo and hope for the best, also you can prolong the injections with adequan injections on a regular basis for maintenance and a good quality joint supplement in his feed......Once his joint fuses the injections are no longer an option because you no longer have the ability to do an IA injection but you can still give him adequan and legend and it may or may not work........

ChasnCans · 06-05-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanoo32

We do this all the time in our race horses, and depending on the horse, the injections will only last a few months at best.......I recommend you use a good quality acid with depo and hope for the best, also you can prolong the injections with adequan injections on a regular basis for maintenance and a good quality joint supplement in his feed......Once his joint fuses the injections are no longer an option because you no longer have the ability to do an IA injection but you can still give him adequan and legend and it may or may not work........

Depends on how much you use the horse, he needs no legging up, just a run maybe once every two weeks if he is doing poorly. Otherwise, load up on the weekends and run. That is why the vet said it would last longer, we are going to get the the good quality acid with depo, he will get them as needed, until he fuses, then like you said. He will be retired at that point, this is not to stop the fusing of the bones it is to make him more confortable and able to run?

I've got him on a few joint supplemints, any that you've found that just blow you away??

I'm in the process of using a few, and mixing to try and find the best for him.

cascy · 06-05-2009, 05:53 PM

Chasn, please know I wasn't trying to "down" you or anything of that sort....

I honnestly just have never delt with an issue like this and have no idea what the options are and how a treatment might help.

Sorry if it sounded rude, or was taken the wrong way

ChasnCans · 06-05-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cascy

Chasn, please know I wasn't trying to "down" you or anything of that sort....

I honnestly just have never delt with an issue like this and have no idea what the options are and how a treatment might help.

Sorry if it sounded rude, or was taken the wrong way

No, not one bit cascy! I totally understood where you were coming from.

Plus I would imagen a few others, not to mention myself would think the same thing if I didn't know any better.

kanoo32 · 06-05-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasnCans

Depends on how much you use the horse, he needs no legging up, just a run maybe once every two weeks if he is doing poorly. Otherwise, load up on the weekends and run. That is why the vet said it would last longer, we are going to get the the good quality acid with depo, he will get them as needed, until he fuses, then like you said. He will be retired at that point, this is not to stop the fusing of the bones it is to make him more confortable and able to run?

I've got him on a few joint supplemints, any that you've found that just blow you away??

I'm in the process of using a few, and mixing to try and find the best for him.

I maintain my runners on Cosequin ASU and when they have a race I give them a dose of Adequan IM 48 hours out from the event.......Seems to help and stretch them as far as I can.......A magnetic boot may help you as well to help increase the blood flow to the area........By the "good stuff" that would mean you are going to use Hyvisc HA and that is a LOT of money to do the upper and lower joint in both hocks, but that IMO is the BEST acid you can use and will give you the best result bar none for the longest period of time.

morgan · 06-05-2009, 10:01 PM

We have had hocks injected and have had good results. I would try it.

pippy · 06-05-2009, 10:18 PM

A friend of ours had Adequan (sp?) injected in his hocks. He was a futurity barrel horse turned eventer- Awesome horse- with shots, he is still able to perform today..sometimes he gets a little stiff on occasion in general gets worked 5 out of 7 days fairly hard.

EquineAlberta · 06-05-2009, 10:53 PM

Is it the upper or lower joint?

Karen

gypsy · 06-06-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasnCans

Not with the injections, it is supposed to help him. It is a steriod treatment, I would do all of the options but seeing as he does not have much cartaglie, there is no point in giving him the shots to produce growth. Just the two injections to lube/stimulate ect while letting him be pain free. Allowing the horse free motion of all but one hock joint (there are three in each hock). So said vet.

But once they are completely fused, which could be in a year or ten years he cannot race, only trail and lessuir ridding.

Actually, once they fuse, they are usually better. They aren't painful anymore. Most performance horses hocks fuse over time. Have him injected and put him on a joint supplement. Unless there is more going on than just fusing, you should be able to use him for many more years.

kanoo32 · 06-06-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy

Actually, once they fuse, they are usually better. They aren't painful anymore. Most performance horses hocks fuse over time. Have him injected and put him on a joint supplement. Unless there is more going on than just fusing, you should be able to use him for many more years.

I will have to disagree here.....Once they fuse it limits his range of motion and he will not have the flexibility that he once had, and yes he can and will still have pain from the resulting arthritis that is in the joint........

gypsy · 06-07-2009, 10:51 AM

They are actually chemically fusing horses hocks now so that they can return to performance sooner. They CAN return to performance with fused hocks and pain free. The hock is not a high motion joint anyway. Here is a link to an article.http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...?story_No=2137

kanoo32 · 06-07-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy

They are actually chemically fusing horses hocks now so that they can return to performance sooner. They CAN return to performance with fused hocks and pain free. The hock is not a high motion joint anyway. Here is a link to an article.http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...?story_No=2137

You should go back and check, this is from 5 years ago and has kind of fizzled out.......Maybe for riding horses and such, but in my line of work and for my industry a horse with fused hocks is finished.....they just do not have the mobility required to get the job done any longer.....and are difficult to keep confortable because they cannot take the stresses of day in and day out training any longer......

ChasnCans · 06-07-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy

They are actually chemically fusing horses hocks now so that they can return to performance sooner. They CAN return to performance with fused hocks and pain free. The hock is not a high motion joint anyway. Here is a link to an article.http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...?story_No=2137

See that is what I've been told by alot of barrel racers that had horses whose hocks begane to fuse. Its the whole fusing process that is making them sore, and once fused he should be fine again.

Just heard this yesterday.

He is getting injected tomarrow, and in seven days I will let you know what happens.

Thanks for the remmondations on the join supplements.

recklesshoundog · 06-07-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy

The hock is not a high motion joint anyway. Here is a link to an article

Don't tell that to the Saddlbreds!!!

Hocks are routinely injected in ASB's and I know it gave my guy a new lease on life and he went sound on his severely degenerated hocks last season with minimal down time. A knowledgeable lameness vet is worth their weight in gold.

If your guy is just starting to have issues, it will do the world of good. Good luck!

kesty6 · 06-07-2009, 03:10 PM

I also have a mare who needs her hocks injected (she's 18). As soon as I have the money available I'm going to get her injected. In the meantime she is just a pasture pal.

Please let me know how your horse does after the injections.

Also, what did the vet charge to inject his hocks?

lopintoo · 06-07-2009, 10:10 PM

We took one of ours to the University here in MO, the best in the state, and does some great work as many others do in the US. I had 3 vets evaluate my guy and they all said that once he fused he would be better. We had him injected and he's been fine ever since, and now he's fused. They did say that eventually he would have arthritis, but that will be later in life. He will eventually need maintainence shots, but he'll let me know when that time comes. For now he's still good to go.

ChasnCans · 06-08-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesty6

I also have a mare who needs her hocks injected (she's 18). As soon as I have the money available I'm going to get her injected. In the meantime she is just a pasture pal.

Please let me know how your horse does after the injections.

Also, what did the vet charge to inject his hocks?

He quoted use almost 500$ for the four shots. One one the outside, one inside on both hocks.

Lopintoo that is what I've been told, so I'm crossing my fingers!

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06-05-2009, 02:42 PM
ChasnCans Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 2,012	Ideas, Imput and results? (Hocks) Well first of all, I'm back.. So most of you know my boy Stormy. Well I took him to the vet today, good news and BAD news. He needs his hocks injected, both. Never thought this would happen, well I would but not just yet. He is only 12. He's bones are starting to fuse. Left one is worse than the right. It is something that cannot be fix nor corrected just taken care of. In order for me to run him he will need to be injected. I know of others that barrel race and there horses plus reining and other rodeo events that need this and more, in all area's of the lower legs. So I'm not too worried-but still, I figure I'd have a good year to year-year and a half of running, before I'll need to retire him to someone that will run slower, or just play around. Heck maybe I may be able to use him longer .. depends I guess?. I feel horriable, should of had him check a long time ago. I'm hoping for the best outturn. Question is .. what do you all think about this, 'injection' and what type of results did you get? This may end up being debatable. __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. While he may knock over a barrel he will never* break my heart Last edited by ChasnCans : 06-05-2009 at 07:01 PM.

06-05-2009, 03:02 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,741	If you continue to run him at all won't it just make his condition worse? Sorry I know nothing about this type of injury, but it doesn't sound to good __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

06-05-2009, 03:08 PM
ChasnCans Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KS Posts: 2,012	Not with the injections, it is supposed to help him. It is a steriod treatment, I would do all of the options but seeing as he does not have much cartaglie, there is no point in giving him the shots to produce growth. Just the two injections to lube/stimulate ect while letting him be pain free. Allowing the horse free motion of all but one hock joint (there are three in each hock). So said vet. But once they are completely fused, which could be in a year or ten years he cannot race, only trail and lessuir ridding. __________________ In memory of baby Mayln Marie Loyd. While he may knock over a barrel he will never* break my heart Last edited by ChasnCans : 06-05-2009 at 05:57 PM.

06-05-2009, 03:44 PM
kanoo32 Seasoned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 4,501	We do this all the time in our race horses, and depending on the horse, the injections will only last a few months at best.......I recommend you use a good quality acid with depo and hope for the best, also you can prolong the injections with adequan injections on a regular basis for maintenance and a good quality joint supplement in his feed......Once his joint fuses the injections are no longer an option because you no longer have the ability to do an IA injection but you can still give him adequan and legend and it may or may not work........ __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

06-05-2009, 05:53 PM
cascy Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 7,741	Chasn, please know I wasn't trying to "down" you or anything of that sort.... I honnestly just have never delt with an issue like this and have no idea what the options are and how a treatment might help. Sorry if it sounded rude, or was taken the wrong way __________________ "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."~Black Hawk

06-05-2009, 10:01 PM
morgan Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 444	We have had hocks injected and have had good results. I would try it.

06-05-2009, 10:18 PM
pippy Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 2,298	A friend of ours had Adequan (sp?) injected in his hocks. He was a futurity barrel horse turned eventer- Awesome horse- with shots, he is still able to perform today..sometimes he gets a little stiff on occasion in general gets worked 5 out of 7 days fairly hard. __________________ "It's never to late to live happily ever after."

06-05-2009, 10:53 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,004	Is it the upper or lower joint? Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

06-07-2009, 10:51 AM
gypsy Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Central AR Posts: 1,729	They are actually chemically fusing horses hocks now so that they can return to performance sooner. They CAN return to performance with fused hocks and pain free. The hock is not a high motion joint anyway. Here is a link to an article.http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/...?story_No=2137

06-07-2009, 03:10 PM
kesty6 Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 198	I also have a mare who needs her hocks injected (she's 18). As soon as I have the money available I'm going to get her injected. In the meantime she is just a pasture pal. Please let me know how your horse does after the injections. Also, what did the vet charge to inject his hocks?

06-07-2009, 10:10 PM
lopintoo Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,903	We took one of ours to the University here in MO, the best in the state, and does some great work as many others do in the US. I had 3 vets evaluate my guy and they all said that once he fused he would be better. We had him injected and he's been fine ever since, and now he's fused. They did say that eventually he would have arthritis, but that will be later in life. He will eventually need maintainence shots, but he'll let me know when that time comes. For now he's still good to go.