Bald spot by hocks...

[Dresseur]

My young man has a bald spot on the outside of each hock - in the hollow of the joint - where the tibia meets the calcaneus, which is an odd place to get a bald spot - as I can't see how anything could have rubbed there. They don't get better, but they don't get worse either. The skin is a bit rough and scaly - no sign of hair growth. I'd love to help him grow hair back - any suggestions?

[orono]

Can you take a pic? My gelding would get rubbed patches on the outsides of each hock when his stall had a wood floor with shavings for bedding (no rubber mat).

[Quelah]

It's likely that when his hock joint is folded, as when he's lying down, that there *is* a protruding bony bit there. It's less common than point of hock rubs, but it happens. Treatment is same, put some greasy ointment on it and give him a softer place to lie down

[Dresseur]

Orono, I will take a pic tomorrow and post it.

Quelah, that's what I wonder about- he has mats and deep bedding (shavings). Maybe he's laying down outside- they're on night turnout. Any particular greasy ointment you would recommend? Mtg? Other?
Thank you!

[Kyra's Mom]

Duct tape can work too. Apply a small square and leave it until it falls off. Replace square and rinse/repeat. The tape is slick and prevents friction to that spot when they push to get up. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on my horse. Her hair is very soft and fine and the tape stick for maybe 6 hours. She has to be special.

Susan

[Dresseur]

that is a super idea!! Thank you!

[orono]

What is he bedded with/on?

[Dresseur]

He's on mats with soft shavings. At least 3 inches deep.

He's had these since I bought him, just thought maybe he'd grow some hair back since then

image.jpeg (207.53 KiB) Viewed 14279 times

They look the same on both sides- same size and placement.

[Chisamba]

Definitely hock galls from insufficient bedding

[Dresseur]

Argh! Like I said, he came to me with them. I'll see if I can add more bedding- he's pretty deeply bedded at his new place. But I'd love for them to disappear.

[Chisamba]

Argh! Like I said, he came to me with them. I'll see if I can add more bedding- he's pretty deeply bedded at his new place. But I'd love for them to disappear.

Sometimes they can be slow to heal, they can be callused. Try vitamin e oil or corona.

[orono]

You've had him for quite a while now right? A year or so?

[Dresseur]

You've had him for quite a while now right? A year or so?

Not quite- I bought him in September of last year, but brought him home at the beginning of April. So he's only been at my facilities for under 4 months. He lived out at my trainer's. So it's possible he got them there. She had got him from the breeder in August of last year, so I bought him a month after she got him in.

[orono]

Oh ok, Some people use hock boots til to protect the area, but I worry about those causing rubbing or other issues.

[Dresseur]

Yea. I'm going to ask if they will bed a bit deeper and I'll start putting goop on it to help them heal up.

[Kyra's Mom]

It is doubtful they will heal. When they get to that point it is a scar. I have never had them "heal" up--as in hair over. As long as there is no active open sore or irritation, I would just put a dab of black shoe polish on it for shows/clinics.

Susan