flax
in
equestrian
help with hock sores
The big old draft horse I ride is quite prone to gross hock sores from lying down. Normally I'd get hock boots for him and be done with it, because my trainer's had good luck with hock or fetlock boots for her guys that get sores, but this guy is SO big I don't think we'll be able to find any that will fit him. The sores don't seem to bother him at all, but they also look grotty and for my own peace of mind I'd like to get them cleared up!
WWYD?
Factors to consider:
-He's HUGE. 19hh.
-His stall is unbedded - I don't love it, but he's not mine and his owner doesn't want to bed at all. AFAIK, though, he only lies down outside (stall is probably a bit too small to be comfy, realistically), so I don't think the lack of bedding in the stall is causing the sores.
-They definitely have gotten worse since he was moved from a paddock with a shed to a stall with a run, I think because the ground in the run is much harder and more level than the ground in the paddock?
-He probably won't be moved back out to the paddock, though, because even though he's top of the totem pole, he was letting his girlfriend eat his most of his grain and he was losing weight whilst she was getting uber, pregnant-looking fat. I think you'll agree that weight maintenance is the more important of the two issues.
-They've also gotten worse as he's started growing in his winter coat, I guess because he's shedding anyway?
Is there some kind of ointment you've had luck with helping hock sores heal, or protecting the skin? I'm thinking maybe Corona, but I'd just like to hear if any of you have had good luck with it or not before trying it.
Also, if you know anywhere that sells RIDICULOUSLY HUGE hock boots, haha. Or if you know how to make hock boots? My only other thought was maybe hind shipping boots, but there's still the size issue and I really, really don't love the idea of leaving them on him 24/7.
He also has a kind of ... I hesitate to call it swelling, but a big soft bump on his left elbow, presumably from tucking his hoof against it when he lies down. I'll try to take a photo of it next time I go to the barn for you all to see, because it's definitely not normal and he doesn't have one on his right elbow. It doesn't bother him at all, I can wiggle and poke and prod and play with it all day long and he doesn't care, and he's had the bump as long as I've known him, so it's probably not a big deal. But again, it's kind of gross and unsightly and it seems like there should be a way to get rid of it. Any ideas?
WWYD?
Factors to consider:
-He's HUGE. 19hh.
-His stall is unbedded - I don't love it, but he's not mine and his owner doesn't want to bed at all. AFAIK, though, he only lies down outside (stall is probably a bit too small to be comfy, realistically), so I don't think the lack of bedding in the stall is causing the sores.
-They definitely have gotten worse since he was moved from a paddock with a shed to a stall with a run, I think because the ground in the run is much harder and more level than the ground in the paddock?
-He probably won't be moved back out to the paddock, though, because even though he's top of the totem pole, he was letting his girlfriend eat his most of his grain and he was losing weight whilst she was getting uber, pregnant-looking fat. I think you'll agree that weight maintenance is the more important of the two issues.
-They've also gotten worse as he's started growing in his winter coat, I guess because he's shedding anyway?
Is there some kind of ointment you've had luck with helping hock sores heal, or protecting the skin? I'm thinking maybe Corona, but I'd just like to hear if any of you have had good luck with it or not before trying it.
Also, if you know anywhere that sells RIDICULOUSLY HUGE hock boots, haha. Or if you know how to make hock boots? My only other thought was maybe hind shipping boots, but there's still the size issue and I really, really don't love the idea of leaving them on him 24/7.
He also has a kind of ... I hesitate to call it swelling, but a big soft bump on his left elbow, presumably from tucking his hoof against it when he lies down. I'll try to take a photo of it next time I go to the barn for you all to see, because it's definitely not normal and he doesn't have one on his right elbow. It doesn't bother him at all, I can wiggle and poke and prod and play with it all day long and he doesn't care, and he's had the bump as long as I've known him, so it's probably not a big deal. But again, it's kind of gross and unsightly and it seems like there should be a way to get rid of it. Any ideas?