## Overview Tension or pain in deep structures such as the tibialis caudalis can contribute to hock stiffness and guarding, particularly in horses with distal tarsal osteoarthritis (bone spavin). It is usually a secondary finding rather than a primary diagnosis. ## Causes Protective muscle tension secondary to joint pain or primary soft-tissue strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical assessment of hock mobility and response to treatment of the underlying joint disease. ## Treatment Address the primary hock pathology (injections, shoeing, workload adjustment) and use physiotherapy to reduce secondary muscle tension. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good when the underlying joint disease is managed. ## Prevention Early treatment of hock discomfort and maintenance of hind-limb strength.
hock stiffness; shortened hind-limb stride; reluctance to flex the hock; accompanies signs of hock arthritis
## Overview Tension or pain in deep structures such as the tibialis caudalis can contribute to hock stiffness and guarding, particularly in horses with distal tarsal osteoarthritis (bone spavin). It is usually a secondary finding rather than a primary diagnosis. ## Causes Protective muscle tension secondary to joint pain or primary soft-tissue strain. ## Diagnosis Clinical assessment of hock mobility and response to treatment of the underlying joint disease. ## Treatment Address the primary hock pathology (injections, shoeing, workload adjustment) and use physiotherapy to reduce secondary muscle tension. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good when the underlying joint disease is managed. ## Prevention Early treatment of hock discomfort and maintenance of hind-limb strength.
hock stiffness; shortened hind-limb stride; reluctance to flex the hock; accompanies signs of hock arthritis