Would You Buy A Horse With A Bog Spavin?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


Simply having a bog spavin does not preclude

a horse from upper-level dressage or other elite competition. But it might signal a weakness, previous problem or injury, and therefore a horse that has a bog spavin should be carefully examined to determine the cause.

How do I get rid of bog spavin?

Treatment will depend upon the underlying cause. Many horses with bog spavin

do not require treatment

. Rest and anti-inflammatory treatment such as phenylbutazone (bute) and topical anti-inflammatory gels can be useful in the early stages.

Does bog spavin disappear?

Most bog spavins heal on their own, and the horse is left with a small, painless swelling. In a young horse,

the swelling may disappear altogether if the strain that caused it was a one-time injury

and not due to poor conformation.

Does bog spavin cause lameness?

Bog spavin is a physical finding, and

does not directly create lameness

. Causes include synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the joint capsule), degenerative joint disease, or excessive strain of the joint capsule.

How do horses get bog spavin?

There are many causes. In warmblood horses, one common cause is

Osteochondrosis (OCD)

, a developmental syndrome that results in loose pieces of cartilage and bone being present in the joint. These “chips” often result in irritation of the joint, which can cause increased fluid—the bog spavin.

Why do horses get Windgalls?

Windgalls are

the result of irritation to the joint surfaces or joint capsules

. In some cases, they are caused by excess tendon fluid being present in the tendon sheaths located behind the fetlock joint.

What is the difference between bog spavin and bone spavin?

Bone spavin involves the joints and the bone, and it’s usually osteoarthritis. …

Bog spavin is extra fluid in the upper joints of the hock

. And that can be also associated with osteoarthritis or inflammation for another cause in that joint.

Can you ride a horse with bone spavin?

It is best for a horse with bone

spavin to be exercised daily

. Preferably, this should be ridden or driven work, as lunging exercise places uneven stress on the joint. Pasture turnout may not be beneficial if the horse does not move much.

What spavin means?

:

swelling especially

: a bony enlargement of the hock of a horse associated with strain.

What is a spavin test?

Pelvic limb flexion (“spavin testing”) during active lameness evaluation is

an accurate and widely used detector of distal tarsitis

. A positive response results in increased lameness and hypermetria following 60-90 seconds of pelvic limb flexion prior to trotting.

What causes Thoroughpins in horses?

The swelling is officially referred to as a “

tenosynovitis of idiopathic

(unknown) origin,” although traumatic causes can include damage to the deep digital flexor tendon or hock bones next to the tendon from a blow, or from penetrating injuries or blood-born infections.

What is blood spavin in horses?

:

distention of the saphenous vein of a horse in the vicinity of the hock causing a soft swelling

.

What is Stringhalt in a horse?

Stringhalt, or equine reflex hypertonia, is

a neuromuscular condition that causes a gait abnormality characterized by involuntary, exaggerated upward movement of one or both of the hindlimbs

. It looks like a jerk or hop, with the affected hindlimb(s) snapped up towards the abdomen.

Can you get rid of Windgalls?

Windgalls

may be drained and injected by the treating vet

. However since there is very little fluid involved in windgalls, as their title aptly implies, this approach is not very effective. Elasticated pressure bandages may be used but the results produced in these cases are temporary.

When should I worry about Windgalls?

Windgalls without lameness are common and usually only a concern for cosmetic reasons – they’re likely to be the result of

wear and tear

. Injury to the digital flexor tendon within the sheath will cause a more problematic windgall, and lameness, and this is known as inflammatory tenosynovitis.

How do you get rid of Windpuffs?

Owners can manage windpuffs using

supportive therapy

such as bandaging, sweats like those which you have been using, and cold therapy with ice. In severe cases, hyaluronic acid injections in the tendon sheath might help.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.