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Post by duckles on May 21, 2008 17:54:05 GMT
Ok I am totally betraying my ignorance here but would welcome enlightenment!
1. The Hocks. In some of the answers to problems, hocks are mentioned as a possible cause. Can a horse have hock problems without being lame? How would it show? What tests would a vet do to find out? Is it treatable?
2. Liquid Parafin. We used to give it to the dogs when they had blockages. Is this the same stuff? If putting on a horse for fly protection- should it be diluted? Should it be used in preference to actual parafin? Finally, where can you get it?? Vets?
Obviously I have my own horse in mind here ;D ;D
Thanks ;D
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Post by aimee on May 21, 2008 18:43:11 GMT
I'm not really sure but Fern has something similar to capped hocks. She has no lameness and can do jumping etc just like any other horse. Some horses are lame from it though, and she may well be one day. Capped hocks look just like the point of hock is swollen....  Gross huh? lol Hers are nowhere near as bad as that though! We asked our vet about it, he weren't too worried about them, nor was we as she seems fine in herself. She had a week of anti inflammatories just to see if it made a difference, it didnt. Now she just has some magnetic hock boots on after riding.  I do believe horses with compaction colic can have liquid parrafin. And if a horse is heavily infested with worms as its like a laxative. Oh and also mud fever and the likes! Not sure on the in's and out's though! Dont think it has to be diluted and chemists stock it! Oh and its not the same stuff you get from B&Q that you use to catch things alight! So don't make that mistake! LOL hope helped a bit |
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Post by kateflashy on May 21, 2008 19:00:44 GMT
things such a curb only show lameness at the begining a bit simerler to a splint but once formed dont show lameness
liquid parrafin is as aimee says a laxitive used for any compaction you get it from the chemist but have to ask for it in large quantities else you get a little tiny bottle about 25mls
dont know re using as fly repelent though
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Post by maximum on May 22, 2008 11:28:54 GMT
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Post by Becca on May 22, 2008 13:20:31 GMT
Bernie has dodgy hocks, the tissue is quite thick around them but they swell less if he lives out or is active. If he has been standing around for ages he wont look lame just stiff but when he is warmed up, most people wouldn't be able to tell.
as for the parafin i have no clue so will be looking at the answers too ;D
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Post by Becca on May 22, 2008 13:23:02 GMT
liquid parrafin - not sure but kerosene(barbeque lighter fuel) is good fly repelllant 2 tablesthingys to 1 gallon of warm water. yeh flies dont like fire or smoke! ;D BBQ lighter fluid? really? or did i just get caught hook line and sinker?  |
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Post by brigadier on May 22, 2008 18:42:28 GMT
Liquid parafin bought from chemist can be used as laxative but its quite tricky to get hold of now.
Parafin bought from garage or DIY store is excellent diluted with water as fly repellant- also shines the coat but dont smoke around it and dont use this like liquid parafin as its not the same.
Hocks- made up of small bones, equivalent of our ankle. Poor conformation can lead to onset of degenerative joint disease which is like arthritis. Eventually the bones fuse so the pain subsides but the horse will always be alittle stiff. It depends how the horse copes with the pain and how bad it is as to associated problems- some try to brace their back to preserve the hocks and then get back problems. It also depends which bones are affected as to degree of lameness but in some cases it can mean the end of the horses usefulness for riding.
brig
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Post by duckles on May 22, 2008 19:36:44 GMT
Thank you all for your replies. They have been very helpful and I have learnt what I wanted to know. I think this 'question' section is a wonderful idea
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fallible
Apprentice Poo Picker
Chase the clouds across the sky and terrorise the sun
Posts: 269
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Post by fallible on Jun 3, 2008 11:09:45 GMT
I looked after maxi's wonderful Stevie when she was expecting her wee boy. In due time it was decided to sell him. Unfortunately he failed the vet due to a hock flexion test.
My gain! As home he came and my wonderful farrier ( new to me at the time) discovered his front feet were the problem and over loading hit hocks. He sorted the problem and I had a brill time competing him.
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Post by duckles on Jun 3, 2008 16:34:27 GMT
Fallible, that is really interesting as my horse has bad front feet. WHat did your farrier do to improve them?
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fallible
Apprentice Poo Picker
Chase the clouds across the sky and terrorise the sun
Posts: 269
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Post by fallible on Jun 5, 2008 18:15:31 GMT
Neil (best thing since sliced bread) said he was typical 10 to 2. having seen a majority of irish types when in the army. This ment that his front toes turned out like a duck. There had been probs with his back feet(the inside wall at the heels much shorter than the outside wall) but that had been fixed by previous farrier. At time, we thought this the reason for the failure of the flexion test. If you lead your horse towards you in walk and trot, the feet should fall evenly i.e the whole area of the shoe(foot) landing on the ground at the same time. Basic common sense. In Stevie's case the area to the outside of each toe clip landed first. this lead to strain on the balance on the inside of his foot (all those phalanx's, coffin joint etc)
Anyway,after only two shoeings there was a huge difference in front and in hock flexion.
Neil is the only farrier i have seen trot up before and after so that i can really see the problem, not just take his word for it.
Had a ball competing him, as having kids had knocked my confidence and never thought I would do riding club open again let alone intro B.E. He was a star.
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Post by maximum on Jun 5, 2008 19:20:19 GMT
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Post by brigadier on Jun 5, 2008 20:07:41 GMT
Wow thats some going! Fab!
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Post by duckles on Jun 5, 2008 20:18:21 GMT
Thanks for that Fallible- will mention it to my farrier! (In a tactful way of course). Loved the photos- he sounds an amazing horse
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Post by maximum on Jun 5, 2008 20:22:24 GMT
duckles he was an amazing horse and we both still miss him terribly
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fallible
Apprentice Poo Picker
Chase the clouds across the sky and terrorise the sun
Posts: 269
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Post by fallible on Jun 6, 2008 9:35:27 GMT
Maxi
as you are now preparing to re-enter the body of the kirk, so to speak, and have access to comps less than four hour drives away. Next time we at a comp together or any where there is a camera on show. remind me to keep my mouth shut! I look like a stranded fish. Was reading old diaries yesterday to look at time line of 'the boys' lameness. Made me sad!
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Post by brigadier on Jun 6, 2008 18:36:19 GMT
You two will make me cry! He looked amazing- you were all lucky to know each other!
brig
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popsicle
Apprentice Poo Picker
Me and Lolly at the Burton Hunt
Posts: 396
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Post by popsicle on Jun 6, 2008 23:13:58 GMT
I agree brig, He looked a stunning horse and was obviously much loved
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Post by maximum on Jun 7, 2008 11:19:32 GMT
Fallible- SHUT YOUR MOUTH!! hehe Stevie was quite simply a star ( unless you wanted to clip but thats what sedation is for! we pulled his main at the same time) he was not suposed to go so soon. Just a freak accident in the field, he pulled a tendon and it never ever healed so we did what was right and proper. He loathed being contained and quality of life matters more than our feelings. RIP wee lad.    |
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Post by duckles on Jun 7, 2008 15:03:50 GMT
More lovely photos. I had known that he'd died before his time from a previous post but it is even sadder seeing all those photos. He looks such a kind generous horse.
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)
Always saddle your own horse
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
