"Dinged up" hocks

[Kaytaz86]

My silly Princess has decided it is necessary to sleep outside--not inside on her soft shavings. As a result, she scraping the crap out of her hocks-not the point, but that little divot on the outside of each leg, just forward from the point of her hock. She's done this before when she doesn't have enough bedding to sleep in, but as I said, she HAS a perfectly good stall to sleep in, but apparently prefers sleeping outside these days. I can't put down bedding outside, as I'm in WY and it would all be blown to the next county before I left the paddock. Her paddock is soft dirt- not rocks or anything. I THINK she's does it with another foot somehow getting up and down, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions? (Other than bubble wrapping her?!) I'm putting medication on it, but that doesn't prevent re-injury. (I vaguely remember a thread about this at some point, so if anyone remembers the title of it, I'd love to look it up.)
Thanks

[CFFarm]

A hock boot?

http://www.bizrate.com/equestrian-clothing-equipment/hock-boots/

[ILuvmyButtercups]

Argh! My gelding does this too, drives me crazy!

He is stalled at night, same reason, no good place to put a soft bed in outside, but too often appeared in the morings with bleedy scrapes on the hock sides, like yours, but also directly on the hock point in the rear. Not always, but too often. Couldn't find out why for the longest time - my other horses get the same arrangements and never scrape their hocks.

One day I saw him roll in the stall. That's how he got the scrapes! He was knocking his hocks against the oak lining on the walls! He is bedded in nearly two feet of shavings, so it wasn't the floor, nor his other feet. The only solution was to pad the lining, or to strap on anti-rollers to prevent him from
cranking around so high his legs are in the air. This guy ALWAYS loves to roll in stalls, I can't even put him in another stall for a moment unless I tie him.

Anyway, I'm just putting Blue Kote on the sores now. Have no idea how to screw pads onto seasoned oak! That wood is now like iron! This problem persists in the spring and summer too..... but only because, I guess, I keep them up during the high heat/fly times of the day. If you find a good solution, post it here!

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I'd probably consider hock boots, if she'll wear them without an issue.

[merrygoround]

A power drill, and wood screws will hang rubber mats on seasoned oak. It is a good idea to back the screw head with a washer.

[thatsnotme]

I've never had a hock boot stay on overnight and have tried every kind made. The Boomer boots by cashel are the best, but still don't make it through the night. Duct tape works!!! Seriously, clean the area around the sore and shave if there is ALOT of hair. Don't put ointment on it. Cut a square of duct tape and stick it on the sore. It will stay on through 2 or 3 up/downs preventing the skin from getting more dinged and allowing it to heal.

[mvp]

No, just a square of duct tape over the spot.

Pat it down well and leave it on 24/7.

Replace when it falls off. But it will stay a while.

[ILuvmyButtercups]

Wow, I never thought of that, duct tape!!!!!! Kool! I'll try that for sure!

Thanks!

[Kaytaz86]

The boots look like a good idea, although I'm really concerned about whether this (active) mare would keep them on during turnout. (Also, she's very petite and it takes some work to find boots that fit without rubbing!)
I will try the duct tape- sounds like a cheap way to start and if that still doesn't do it, I'll try the boots. Difficult pony!