Bone Spavin

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Bone spavin is osteoarthritis, or the final phase of degenerative joint disease (DJD), in
the lower three hock joints. It usually affects the two lowest joints of the hock (the
tarsometatarsal and the distal intertarsal joints), with the third joint, the proximal
intertarsal, being the least likely to develop bone spavin.

Symptoms

Common in

Treatment

Corrective shoeing – balancing the hind feet correctly will reduce stress on the hock joints.
Pain relief – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can be given to decrease pain associated with the hocks and allow continued controlled exercise. This movement may stimulate the joints to fuse naturally.
Joint injections can be used in two ways: To relieve pain and swelling or to dissolve cartilage to promote bone fusion.
Bisphosphonates – aims to prevent excessive loss of bone at the small tarsal joints, which can reduce pain and promote joint fusion.
Surgical fusion of the small tarsal joints – This is done as a last resort when other treatments are no longer working.

Prevention

Don’t overwork young, growing horses
Don’t use a horse with poor conformation for high joint-stress type sports
Treat all hock sprain injuries promptly and allow proper healing time
Keep the feet properly balanced by a skilled farrier