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What does it mean when hocks 'fuse'?
Topic Started: Jan 19 2007, 09:48 PM (2,559 Views)
snaffle
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Is the meadow on fire?
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A couple of friends who ride in different disciplines (dressage and western pleasure) have mentioned that they're not injecting their horses' hocks anymore and are waiting for the hocks to fuse.

They said this means that the bones in the joint actually fuse together. This really confuses me. How does the joint move if the bones are stuck together?

Can someone explain...

(1) what does it mean for hocks to fuse, and


(2) how long does this process take, and

(3) what are the benefits of allowing the hocks to fuse versus treating with joint injections?

Thanks!
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gracetw22
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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When the hocks fuse, there is no longer any cartilage in the joint and the bones grow together. While this is a long and somewhat painful process, when the hocks finally fuse, the horse is pain free and able to return to work. The joint in which the horses get arthritis generally is immobile, so fusion of the bones does not restrict movement.
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Broberry
Schooling
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This confused me at first too. The large joint that we normally think of as the hock joint is just one of many "hock joints." There are several smaller, less mobile joints just below what we think of as the hock, and my understanding are that these are the joints where arthritis generally occurs. These joints just wobble back and forth, so they can fuse with no restrictions on movement for the horse. As Grace said, once they fuse, the horse is no longer in pain and no longer requires joint injections. With a severely arthritic horse, the arthritis eventually gets to the point where injections are no longer helpful and fusing is the only option left.

The time table is different for every horse, as I understand it. Some can take a few months, others can take years. There are surgical procedures to fuse the bones, but I don't know how often those are used nor how successful they are.

I hope that was helpful. Ask me how I know so much about arthritic hocks... :rolleyes: :argh:
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gracetw22
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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The surgical fusion is basically, from what I understamd, going in with a drill and pissing the joint off enough to fuse itself. Not something I chose to put my horse through, but perhaps a vet could explain it better and amke it sound a little less...primative. I am sure that it would work and that if you gavce enough painkillers it wouldn't be a problem, but I'd try to go through it naturally first. My mare who I went through this had fused lowers by three or four, middles were fusing at seven (uncommon for the arthritis to progress to here) and uppers were showing changes. We took her to one of the best vets in Virginia and he said that even with all his new and interesting techniques, he wouldn't put her through it. She's retired in Florida, being fat and happy. Obviously most don't get to that point, though.
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DairyQueen2049
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DRAGON BREATH. DRAGGIN' BUTT
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a little web search gives
http://cvm.msu.edu/Dressage/Upload/Clayton...SDF_April03.pdf

I had a web addy with pics but of course can't find it now.

Once the hock fuses there is no more pain - if you can manage the pain while the fusing occurs that is a good thing.

Yes, it sounds horrid, but it is natually occuring.
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RHowell
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Y'all are making me nauseous. I have a joint (the human hock joint) that is going to have to be surgically fused down the road and I'm getting scared now!

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Casey1
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I have a coming 22 TB gelding who my firm belief is his hock/s finished fusing this past year. For about 3 - 4 years we had soreness especially to the right. We could ride him left, but right was uncomfortable (for me too). Then this summer I really started riding him again (around Aug, long story as to why not earlier) and he was SOUND!!! Ok I still had him on 1g bute a day but still. The best part was he could canter comfortably to the right. I even jumped him again! He loved being useful again too. He is NOT ready to retire. The last jumping session I had with him in October we did an in and out. He has not jumped an in and out since our last horse show 4 years ago. He flew through easily on step I was so happy I started crying. I love this horse so much.

He HATES winter (I live in MI) so every year from about Nov - March we leave him alone. Hospital bills are not worth it. He doesn't care for indoor arenas either, he was VA bred. I found him a new home, cheap board he is out all day with just 2 other horses. He is so happy. The new farm doesn't have a riding area, but we can try the roads :unsure: He is a true show horse and that may or may not work for him. However the farm is on a lake. I can't wait to take him swimming. He can buck me off in the water all he wants. Trust me this boy can still buck to make the best of them blush.

Xrays can determine what is going on with your horse. I didn't bother he wasn't 'crippled' and he had been a good show horse for YEARS so I felt if it was age related soundness so be it. Time has made it better.
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