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Post by dannyboy on Jun 5, 2009 16:21:07 GMT
Was at a riding lesson today and the school knows of a horse for sale - used to be a ex RS horse, approx 8-10yo, the RI couldn't remember. She explained that the horse was great in every way but had in the past suffered from a bone spasam (sp) in one of her legs, just put out to rest and is now being worked again. I have no idea what this even means and was just wondering if you could shed a little light on it. Is it a recurring problem or can they recover completely?
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Post by fleabitten on Jun 5, 2009 16:25:04 GMT
Havent heard of a bone spasm but it could be a splint (Princess has this) which is like a bony lump but it doesnt cause them any harm. I think there was a thread on leg problems - will get it up but im sure someone else can shed more light as im not much help lol! thepaddocks.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=health&action=display&thread=4924Oh, perhaps its bone spavins!! I think faith has got them so maybe spotti could tell you more. |
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Post by brigadier on Jun 5, 2009 18:41:50 GMT
Sounds like bone spavin or bog spavin, the first is where there is inflammation between the small joints in the hock and the horse produces more bone to fuse the joints. Depends on which joints as to severity so would need a vet to assess. If its a joint that isnt such a problem once the fusion has taken place the horse is rideable again but sometimes they can have recurrent back problems because of the strain on the back when their hocks were hurting! Bog spavin is a soft lump on inside of hock which is caused by wear/tear and strain- again you would need a vet to assess.
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Post by dannyboy on Jun 6, 2009 19:59:59 GMT
Would any of you consider a horse with bone spavin? I'm to contact the owner on Monday but not sure if I'll even bother if it's a real problem  . Have any of your horses had bone spavins and what was the outcome? |
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Post by spotti on Jun 6, 2009 21:17:07 GMT
If it is indeed bone spavin then it sounds worse than it is. Like Brig said, depending on where the extra bone growth is depicts its severity. Faith's was apparently on a bone that didn't move much so we were told by the vet to work her gently (in-hand walkies) to fuse the bones and stop the pain...atleast that's how I thought it went but now I'm not so sure...maybe all her back issues come from the spavin in her hocks  Anywho, don't use me and Faith as an example as you know we're just a walking disaster lol. Zara's AJ has bone spavin in his hocks and, according to her, he's absolutely fine! I think she said she has him on a joint supplement (plain old glucosamine is a good 'un) and that he can be a bit stiff first thing in a morning but soon loosens up and can then go on to do sideways cantering and silly spooks so he can't be feeling THAT bad! (don't we all just love arabs  ). Personally, I'd go see the horse and if you get on with them then when you get them vetted, the vet should be able to tell you the severity of the spavin and give you an idea of what the horse can/cannot do. I've noticed Faith is a bit shorter in stride length than she used to be and her back legs move slightly choppier than her fronts do, but she's usually happy enough (except when she's a cripple, but there may now be more to that than meets the eye ) and you'd never guess she has any kind of a problem when you see her galloping about and chasing her friends about in the field!!!! |
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Post by brigadier on Jun 7, 2009 18:55:42 GMT
I would get a vet to check the severity but wouldnt not consider a horse for general riding with bone spavin as long as the joint was fused. Ive known many horses with this, and theres a lot with it that are not diagnosed. I was told by a very good vet that 90% of back problems are caused initially by the hocks.
Horses with it tend to be a bit straight legged and trail their hocks a little when ridden. Can also be lazy to the leg but thats usually because theyve become numb to the riders nagging leg when they have the condition initially.
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Post by spotti on Jun 8, 2009 9:34:23 GMT
Not trying to steal your thread DB but, Brig, really? As many as 90%? Wow...that really puts things into perspective...
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Post by zara on Jun 15, 2009 12:05:36 GMT
As Spotti says my horse Aj has "spavins" in both hocks. It manifests itself as increasing stiffness and can cause back problems (due to compensatory movement). AJ is generally OK but I do keep a close eye on him. He has good and bad days and I can tell fairly quickly how he is feeling. It costs me a small fortune in joint supplements and Devil's Claw to keep him happy and sound. Before considering buying a horse with DJD ask yourself very carefully what you want from the horse - it is unlikely that he will be able jump competitively, do endurance etc. AJ is fine to hack and do light schooling, he can manage a prelim dressage test but is unlikely to be able to go further due to his limited ability at collecting and doing more advanced lateral work. if you are interested in this horse have it vetted and prob x-rayed and this can be expensive. Is it worth it?? Also if you are a novice or at all nervous be careful of buying an ex-racer but this is an other thread completely! Good luck Zx
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Post by dannyboy on Jun 15, 2009 12:19:30 GMT
Thanks for the advice Zara. I've just found out that the horse in question has been recently seen by a vet and the owner has been told it can only be used for hacking for the next 6 months to see how he gets on. I'm a bit weiry and therefore have decided not to go a head with this horse, mainly because of the costs etc: Thanks again.
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
. Have any of your horses had bone spavins and what was the outcome?
).
