OCD in hock

[smerlin]

Anyone had a horse with this (over age of 1)

What were your experiences if you did or didn't go for an op.

Was the horse able to be in (light) work?

Appreciate there is a huge variety and it depends on each horse so just looking for people's experiences...

So sorry to hear this.

A few years ago we bought a just turned 3 yr old 3/4 TB. He was backed then turned away for 6 mths. Ridden lightly for a summer and turned away again.
When we brought him back to work he was lame on both back legs. He had OCD in both stifles.

You won't want to hear this and I hope it's better outcome for your horse.

Quotes for operations were £6k per leg. We just couldn't afford it and insurance didn't cover that amount. Also prognosis was that he would be a hacking horse at best if he had the operations. He had been bought to become a show jumper / all rounder.
Vet confirmed that he was in pain and we opted to have him PTS. Unfortunately it was done on his 5th birthday.

I still feel guilty about it all 5 years on even though I know it was the right thing.

I really hope your horse has a better prognosis than our poor boy.

Hopefully someone else will be along soon with a happily ending tale.

Sorry to hear this....
My old horse was diagnosed with OCD in one stifle joint at the age of 3. He was a huge WBxTB. This was back in 1994 and the operation was done followed by various injections into the joint at a cost of £2,500. A lot of money in those days but thankfully he was insured.
He went on to be backed at 4, turned away for a year and was competing at medium level Dressage at the age of 8. When I sold him he passed a 5-stage vetting and went on to successfully compete at CT.
We caught it very early on and the prognosis given was ‘guarded’. He had to have 6 month’s box rest. It was awful and he had to be sedated most days.

Eek thanks for the responses.

Not my horse but one someone wanted me to co-own (with a view to only being a light hack).

He is currently sound but it's the not knowing if he'll ever be ridden or if he will just end up PTS (after I've become attached) which is the worry

I would stay away if I were you. The outcome is usually not good. I sold my horse because as a Dressage horse, he would have ended up with arthritis in the joint they operated on, so he went to a home where he had an easier life competing at lower levels.
Each case is different but I’d be guided by the vet. Without the operation I don’t see how it can improve but it depends on on so many things I guess. Good luck.