YOU ARE OBSERVING
Sores, Crusts or Scabs on Hock
Summary
There is a normal area of hair loss located on the outside of the hock. This corresponds to the location of a primitive sweat gland, and so is a normal finding that you should see on the opposite hock too.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If you notice significant swelling or pain at the site.
- If you notice lameness in addition to this sign.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If you consider this a chronic and relatively mild problem that is not changing rapidly.
- Even if the horse does not appear to be lame to you.
your role
What To Do
When in doubt about the significance of any sore here, carefully compare the affected to the more normal hock. Look for swelling, drainage or lameness, all of which suggest a more serious problem, and that you should involve your vet. Assess lameness at the walk.Examine the horse's bedding and management, and improve it if possible. Move soft dirt or bedding into the horse's turnout or stall. Flies can worsen this problem, so reduce this population with good fly control procedures. Hock wraps are commercially available and may protect this area. Wrapping hocks can be tricky if you are not experienced.
If wounds are severe, worsening, growing larger, non-healing, swollen, or if your horse is lame, contact your vet immediately with your findings and concerns.
What Not To Do
Do not attempt to wrap this area unless you know how to do it properly. You can hurt the horse.Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
- Does the horse seem to be limping or lame?
- Do you notice swelling in the area?
- Does the horse seem to by lying down more than normal?
- Where, exactly, is it located? Can you provide a photo?
- Is there any drainage?
- Do the wounds seem to be healing normally?
- Can you describe the stabling and footing?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health