Hock Inflammation in Quarter Horses

The hock is a complex series of joints midway up a horse's hind leg and consists of ten bones.This area often is prone to inflammation and swelling. Hock inflammation can be due to capped hock or spavins, which are common in Quarter Horses.

  1. Causes

    • Quarter Horses prone to hock inflammation are race horses, cutters, reiners and those with poor hind leg conformation. For cutting and reining in particular, horses often place their hocks close to the ground to perform maneuvers, such as the sliding stop.

    Identification

    • Bone spavins are a hard swelling just below where the hock points. It can disappear when the horse exercises but reappears, according to "Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook." Capped hocks are round, soft swellings about the size of a kiwi fruit.

    First Aid

    • Spavins must be wrapped in leg bandage and the horse rested. Capped hocks need first a warm and then a cold compress to reduce swelling. The horse still must be checked by a vet, ideally within 24 hours.