Q: What exactly are capped hocks and is there any treatment available? Will the swelling ever go down?
A: A capped hock is an inflammatory swelling of the bursa, or protective synovial capsule that surrounds a joint, at the point...
Laminitis is a painful inflammation of the tissue within the foot that connects the hoof wall to the coffin bone. It can cause extreme lameness and may require euthanasia. It most commonly occurs in the front hooves. In severe...
Joint Supplements
Arthritis and degenerative joint disease are common problems in performance horses. They can often be managed with joint supplements that allow a horse to continue a useful athletic career. These can be administered topically, orally, intramuscularly, intravenously or...
Q: My horse has been diagnosed with severe ringbone. I know he’ll never be ridden again, but I want to keep him pasture sound. Is there any medicine to help keep him comfortable? I don’t want to keep him...
Q:
I have a 5-year-old Paint gelding who has been diagnosed with pedal osteitis. I have done what my veterinarian has suggested: lower his heels, use Equi-pak as a pad and feed a mineral supplement. I have seen little improvement....
WoundsWhat it is: Lacerations (cuts) and puncture wounds.Symptoms: Variable, depending on the type of wound, its severity and location. Minor lacerations are superficial (penetrating the skin but not the deeper structures—muscles, tendons or joints), cause minimal bleeding and don’t...
Navicular syndrome
What it is: A degenerative condition characterized by progressive damage to the navicular bone, a small bone of the foot, with accompanying damage to the deep digital flexor tendon and other adjacent structures.
Symptoms: Navicular syndrome is a...
LaminitisWhat it is: Laminitis in horses is an inflammation of the laminae, the structures in the foot that connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone. It’s usually caused by overeating grain or lush spring grass. Other causes include...
LamenessWhat it is: An abnormality of movement due to an injury or infection in one or more legs.Symptoms: Variable, depending on the problem and the horse’s tolerance for pain. The lameness may be easily detected or obscure, especially if...
Eye injuries
What it is: Various types of trauma involving the eye and surrounding structures.
Symptoms: Variable, depending on the type of injury, its location and severity. Excessive tearing; squinting; head-shyness; visual deficit; bluish, cloudy or red color to the eye;...
