Posted by Ron West on September 08, 2003 at 14:04:35:
In Reply to: Re: Hock issues in dressage horses. posted by Roxann on September 07, 2003 at 22:30:43:
: : : : : Just started doing a barn full of dressage horses. Several of them have hock issues and one has just been diagnosed with Bone Spavin.
: : : : : Upon rereading James Rooneys book I was reminded that he feels all horses that work in a sickle hocked fashion (like the collected dressage positions force them into) will ulimately develop various hock arthroses. He prescribes moderate work until the joint fuses which is what the Vet involved in the fellow with bone spavin has presecribed as well. The vet has given no opinon on shoeing while we wait for fusion. I could use a shock absorbing wedge pad to minimize motion of the affected area and reduce concussion but while we wait for fusion to occur it would seem that irritation to the joint is to be encouraged not minimized. Thoughts on this horse would be most welcome.
: : : : : The next issue is prevention in the horses who are much less acute do not have a diagnosis of spavin and upon x-ray would most likely not have any bony changes showing yet. One could almost make a case for a shock absorbing wedge pad for all dressage horses LOL. I wonder what those who prepare dressage horses do to prevent this type of injury and look forward to your responses.
: : : : : Fred
: : : :
: : : : Hey Fred,
: : : : I've had good luck with these guys by dropping them into a plain stamped shoe behind.
: : : : ~~Danvers
: : :
: : : Danvers,
: : : Could you elaberate as to toe shape, breakover point, and lengh of heels. Apperciate your posts on the other threads and your work with the AFA.
: : : Thank you,
: : : Bill
: :
: : Bill,
: : Toe shape… hmmm… I don’t really try to go to the extremes of pointing them up or squaring them off. Basically, I just try to see a foot in it, which on these horses is maybe a little blunt--somewhere between what you’d find on a Werkman hind pattern and a Crothers concave hind pattern.
: : Breakover point… I don’t want to open up the worm can with something that’s proven controversial on these boards before, but I haven’t changed my mind on it, so… I think breakover is more a function of the front limb than the hind. The carpus works as a hinge and the hock works as a piston. Yes, the hinds have to break over, but it’s a whole different kind of function and mechanics, and it just ain’t “breakover” like we talk about with fronts (and that people generalize to all four limbs).
: : Length of heels… My general rule of thumb is to split the distance between the buttress and the bulb. All kinds of things may get factored in that will cause me to violate that “rule” one way or another, but it’s my starting point.
: : And, hey, thanks for the kind words!
: : ~~Danvers
: : : Hi Danvers, Just wanted to thank you for your elaboration on those three points. Very concise and to the point. I really liked your description of the hock action, got a good visual on that one and totally agree. And like Bill said Thanks for your posts I read all of yours and have gotten a lot of insight from them. : Roxann
I'm with Danvers on this one not to square a toe just blunt a little squarer than a kerkheart or werkman hind shape, definitely no heels and avoid any type of calks if possible, I've had mixed responses to pads some people might suggest rolling the toes I probably wouldn't but experiment and also remember that this type of affliction has it's acute phases followed by intermittant periods of recovery so be prepared to adjust as you go
Ron West
Westcliffe Colorado