Scars on outside of both hocks - what are they from?

[Flash44]

I'm guessing they are from a surgical procedure since they are on the outside of both hocks, but I'm at a loss as to what procedure was done. The horse is less than 10 yrs old. The scars are thin longitudinal scars about 6 inches long as if the horse was cut with a scalpel.

[BeastieSlave]

Mr. Studly has a scar that sounds like that - below the hock though. He had a splint bone removed.

[LabsChewShoes]

osteochondrosis (OCD) surgery possibly? what breed, age, height?

[JMurray]

old ancient pressure sores from lying down?

[joiedevie99]

My horse has matching scars about 4" long by 1/2" wide on the outside of both hocks. They are from laying down- I know her entire history and she never had hock surgery. Two vets have confirmed. Looking at them, it doesn't look possible since they are inside the hollow- not where they would hit anything

[JMurray]

Yup my 2 year old had them when I bought him . He laid down a lot for long periods of time. Over the summer they healed up and have not opened again so am thinking he isn't laying down as much. They are there for life unfortunately. I just ignore them.

[BeastieSlave]

6" ?! You guys seriously have beasties with scars that long from lying down? I've never seen one longer than 1 1/2" or so... Wow, you learn something new every day.

[JMurray]

I suppose 6 inches could happen. I just went out and measured Theo's because I was curious and they are both 3 1/2 inches long

[LabsChewShoes]

someone started an ocd thread, you might want to ck it out, as what you are describing, sounds like the scars on my guys legs, his are faint, but if looking, you see it.

[ryansgirl]

old ancient pressure sores from lying down?

That would be my guess... my 29-year old TB has had them for years... way before I got him. His are about three to four inches long on both legs above the hocks. They don't bother him and he never lays down now - hasn't in years but he did in his much younger days. :)

[merrygoround]

They are not uncommon on the hocks of horses that lie down without sufficient bedding.

[Roxx]

My mare has had 'hock sores' two winters. The bald spot is only the size of a quarter but once the BO starts putting more shavings in the hair grows back.

[Flash44]

"The scars are thin longitudinal scars about 6 inches long as if the horse was cut with a scalpel."

They are not sores from laying down. They are in the same place on the outside of BOTH hocks.

[scribbles]

Above the hock in the hollow? mares bite their babies there often, and horses end up with these scars.

[SkipChange]

Interesting, do you have pictures?
Sorry I'm no help

[LabsChewShoes]

Am I the only one that thinks it is possibly from OCD surgery?

[ryansgirl]

Am I the only one that thinks it is possibly from OCD surgery?

Without pictures it's hard to say what it really is...

[ryansgirl]

"The scars are thin longitudinal scars about 6 inches long as if the horse was cut with a scalpel."

They are not sores from laying down. They are in the same place on the outside of BOTH hocks.

I have seen the same type of scar on numerous horses over the years all in the same place - the area slightly above the hocks on the outside. The scars look identical on both legs. The scars I'm talking about are from when the horse lays down and there is not enough bedding. :)

Any pictures by any chance??

[merrygoround]

"The scars are thin longitudinal scars about 6 inches long as if the horse was cut with a scalpel."

They are not sores from laying down. They are in the same place on the outside of BOTH hocks.

That is exactly where they get them from insufficient bedding.

Once they heal they leave a thin line.