Author: Rolf Modesto

Introduction: The hock, medically known as tarsus, is a common location for pain and lameness in the back legs of the horse. The lower hock joints (distal intertarsal (DIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints) are the most common source of lameness, with symptoms derived from arthritis (osteoarthritis (OA), degenerative joint disease (DJD)). Conformation and accumulation of repetitive forces play a role in disease development. Horses with lower hock pain can often be managed medically, but in select cases further intervention is necessary. Ankylosis, or joint fusion, of the lower joints can develop over time following significant cartilage damage, which permits bone to heal together. It is also not uncommon to find a single joint out of the lower joints totally or partially fused while the other is look normal on radiographs.…

Quick facts Injury, poor hoof quality and poor hoof care can cause an abscessAbscesses cause sudden, severe lamenessDraining, bandaging and keeping the hoof clean are key to treating an abscessGood ground to work at and/or to turn out your horse can prevent abscesses Causes of a hoof abscess An abscess occurs when bacteria get trapped inside the hoof/foot without a way out. It is usually caused by trauma such as: NailsScrewsWood branches or stickRocks and rough groundHorseshoe nails inside the white line (where the hoof wall meets the sole) Other factors that might predispose foot abscesses: Hoof wall lacerations or traumaOften horses step on the shoe clip when shoe is loosePoor hoof qualityGenetics or the environment may cause poor hoof qualityWet weather or wet dirty stalls can soften the hoof and allow…

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