The ankle joint is the equivalent of the hock in a horse's leg.A horse's hock is injected with a combination of two medicines to decrease inflammation and increase the thickness of the joint fluid.Pain is reduced and it allows the horse to keep moving, and less inflammation means less risk of chipping or damaging the delicate lining of the joint.If you notice changes in the hock or other signs of pain, your horse may need a hock injection.The first thing to do is to determine if your horse has a problem, and then you have to fix it.
Step 1: There are behavioral signs of pain.
If your horse is in pain, they may behave differently.A horse that was previously mild-mannered may become cranky when ridden, charge at jumps, refuse fences, or buck.A change of character such as trying to bite an owner can be a sign of pain.During the tacking up process, your horse may show pain.
Step 2: If your horse is working hard, consider it.
The horse doesn't work to its full potential.Doesn't move as quickly or easily because it attempts to limit the discomfort.Doesn't reach normal height when jumping.
Step 3: Your horse is riding heavy on the forehand.
The phrase means that your horse tries to take weight off its hind quarters and shift its center of gravity.It takes more effort to lift its front legs when it does this because it puts more weight on them.When riding the horse have a friend stand next to it and record its movement.The horse's head should be lowered to counterbalance the back end.If one leg is taking shorter strides than the others, look to see if all the legs are taking the same amount of steps.A friend on a horse can take a video if they stand a safe distance behind the horse.The hips should move symmetrically.A horse with a sore back leg will try to protect it with less movement of the hip.
Step 4: If your horse is not engaging its back end, take note.
The horse uses its power in its back end to move forward.If the horse associates pushing off on its hind legs with pain, it will be reluctant to do this, and will move more slowly than normal.You can feel this when you are riding a horse.
Step 5: Track your horse's ability to jump.
The weight of the horse needs to be shifted backwards and on its hind legs.If there is pain, it may try to avoid it by not fully using its muscles.The early loss of height will cause your horse to knock against jumps it used to take with ease.You might notice that your horse knocks down the fence during a jump.
Step 6: There are challenges your horse has with landing after a jump.
The hind legs are tucked beneath the body after a jump.Spring pushes the horse forward onto its next stride.Your horse may slip and land awkwardly when it has a painful hind leg.
Step 7: The way your horse is standing is important.
The way a horse stands is affected by hind end pain.It tends to shift its weight because of the sore leg.Resting one hind leg while standing is one thing you might notice.Standing with a sore leg tucked under its belly so that it doesn't have any weight on it.To elevate it, you have to stand with one leg on the mound.
Step 8: Determine if your horse's gait has changed.
The way the horse moves is referred to as its "gait."The horse is forced to take shorter strides with its hind legs because of its back end pain.He has a hunched silhouette with his hind quarters tucked under and his head carriage low.The horse may not pick its leg up cleanly because it hurts to flex the joint.If you want to trace the hoof prints of the horse, walk and trot it on the sand.The sore leg doesn't follow the line of the matching front leg.If your horse has an injury, it may be difficult to walk backwards in a straight line.The sore leg causes the horse to move in a curve to the affected side.
Step 9: Symptoms of disuse atrophy can be seen.
Your horse may have a problem with its hock if you notice that there is a loss of muscle mass over the thigh and hip.The horse has been protecting that leg and underusing it, which leads to the loss of muscle mass.When muscles don't get used, they waste away.Pain in the limb can cause disuse atrophy, but it doesn't affect the pain to the hock.
Step 10: Further assessment can be done by contacting a vet.
It is a good idea to call the vet if you are sure your horse has a mobility issue.A vet can perform tests to find the source of your horse's pain.They can do a thorough exam that includes nerve blocks and X-rays.Head bobbing, unusual foot placement, shortened strides, and weight shifts are some of the tell-tale signs that the vet will look for.
Step 11: There are signs of swelling.
The hormones bradykinin and prostaglandins are released when the tissues of the hock are damaged by an injury.The chemicals act on the blood vessels and cause them to leak fluid, causing swelling.The fluid helps isolated noxious substances from the general circulation and is rich in white cells to protect against infections.If the hock is swollen, compare one leg to the other.If the areas are baggy, look to see if they are puffy.You can detect a difference in how they feel if you feel the normal hock and the other side.
Step 12: If the hock is hot, you should check it.
The heat comes from the inflammation of the hock.You should feel along the hock because of this.If the area feels hotter than other parts of your horse, you may have an injury in the hock.The temperature of the injured hock should be compared to the one on the other leg.
Step 13: Ask your doctor to do a test.
The hock joint will be flexed by your horse's vet and held in that position for about a minute.They will observe your horse's movement to see if it is the same as before the test.Do not try to do the test yourself.Only a vet should do this.
Step 14: A vet can perform a nerve block test.
The idea is that if the pain in the hock is removed temporarily, the horse will become sound.Don't attempt to do the test yourself because only a vet can do it.The needle is to be inserted after the sterilizing of the skin with surgical scrub.A small needle, 20 or 22 gauge, is used to inject local anesthesia just below the skin along the path of the superficial and deep fibular nerve.The local anesthetic can spread to the lower limb, making the foot numb, so the test should be performed within 15 minutes.The horse may drag the leg if the lower limb becomes numb.The lower limb will be bandaged if this happens.
Step 15: Get a radiography exam done.
If a nerve block and a test point to a problem with the hock, then an X-ray may be needed.It is possible to detect bone infections, bone cancer, and swelling of the joint capsule with the use of radiography.The vet will use a portable x-ray machine to take the radiographs of the horse.An anterior-posterior view of the horse's tail is one of two images taken.It is possible for x-rays to come back normal, but there is still pain in the joint.x-rays show bone damage, not inflammation of the joint lining.If the x-rays are clear but the hock is painful, this is a strong indication for giving a hock injection.The steroid could delay bone healing if it is the underlying reason for the lameness, so many veterinarians want to rule out chip fractures before giving hock injections.