Bone spavin

When the joint is repeatedly overloaded on the edge of its surface, exostoses, or "bone spurs," occur.

Poor trimming or shoeing can also contribute to bone spavin in any horse, no matter what their conformation.

Certain types of activities may also contribute to uneven or repeated loading of the lower hock joints, and thus bone spavin.

The affected limb usually has a shorter, lower arc than the other foot, as the horse is trying to reduce the painful flexion of the joint, so the leg appears to drag.

This technique is not absolutely specific, as the distal pouches of the tarsometatarsal joint are immediately adjacent to the suspensory ligament.

It is possible, however, to manage the problem and thereby slow the progression of the bone spavin, ease the pain, and control the lameness.

However, it is important to note that high doses of NSAIDs given over several days can cause kidney damage, as well as ulcers and right dorsal colitis.

Corticosteroid injections into the lower hock joints may resolve the lameness of the horse for several weeks or months.

Again, it is important to check association rules to see if corticosteroids are not allowed in competition, so that they may be discontinued before the horse competes.

Tiludronic acid, a bisphosphonate, tradenames Tildren and Equidronate (UK) has been beneficial in the treatment of some cases of bone spavin.

Other joint medications, like hyaluronic acid and Adequan, may help alleviate the pain if the horse has mild bone spavin.

Nutritional supplements containing MSM, glucosamine, and other ingredients may also help horses with moderate bone spavin.

Preferably, this should be ridden or driven work, as round pen or longeing exercise places uneven stress on the joint.

However, even with careful management, bone spavin will progressively get worse, and the animal may not be able to continue at the level of competition it was first used for once the lameness is consistent.

In a facilitated ankylosis procedure, some of the joint cartilage is destroyed with a drill bit or a laser, and the holes are sometimes filled with bone grafts.

In this procedure, a section of the tendon is removed, The prognosis for bone spavin varies, depending on several factors including: Most horses cannot continue at a high level of competition for long.