Diagnosis and Treatment of Hock Lameness

Inflammation of the lower rows of hock joints is referred to as distal tarsitis, and it is associated with a variety of clinical signs. According to Black, an affected horse might demonstrate a “stiff” gait, especially noticeable when offloaded from
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Cutting horses serve as a perfect model for the discussion of hock lameness, noting that no other discipline places more stress and torque on the hocks than what these horses experience, said Jerry Black, DVM, of Pioneer Equine Hospital in Oakdale, Calif., at the AAEP Focus meeting in Ft. Collins, Colo., on July 31.

Inflammation of the lower rows of hock joints is referred to as distal tarsitis, and it is associated with a variety of clinical signs. According to Black, an affected horse might demonstrate a "stiff" gait, especially noticeable when offloaded from a horse trailer. The horse tends to improve with warm up, yet a cutting horse in work might be reluctant to stop or properly hold the stop. There is a premature release of the caudal (toward the tail) phase of the stride in a horse with distal tarsitis (hock inflamation), resulting in a shortened cranial phase of the stride. This occurs as the horse feels shearing forces in the affected joints as he starts the push phase of the stride. Pain causes him to quickly release forward movement of the limb, resulting in a "stabbing" gait. Usually trotting the horse in circles will amplify the degree of lameness.

There are many causes of distal hock tarsitis, including incomplete or delayed ossification (mineralization) of the ends of the long bones of the joints, with concurrent osteochondrosis. Black feels there is a genetic influence; this is based on his findings of significant radiographic changes visible in 55% of 25 yearlings of the same cutting horse bloodline.

Other causes of tarsitis are related to traumatic injury from occupational use or due to degenerative problems that lead to osteoarthritis. Black says other factors can lead to distal hock disease, such as structural tendencies toward sickle hocks, cow hocks, and/or post-legged conformation

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Written by:

Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. She has also authored the books Go the Distance as a resource for endurance horse owners, Conformation and Performance, and First Aid for Horse and Rider in addition to many veterinary articles for both horse owner and professional audiences.

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