Page 369 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figures 8.11a and b Two views of bone spavin: a) from the front; b) from behind

Poor performance

With bilateral hock pain the horse may show poor performance rather than lameness. Signs

include:
• reluctance to turn, or perform either an upward or downward transition with proper

engagement of the hind limbs
• reluctance to canter on a particular lead or becoming disunited at canter

• jumping badly or refusing jumps as a result of the pain.

Muscle pain and wasting

Many horses with distal hock joint disease experience muscle pain. The lumbar and
hindquarter muscles may be sore. Chronic disease may lead to wasting of the muscles of the

hindquarters.