yes i know i should ask a vet but she fused like 2 years ago and i didn't really jump her much then because i was doing dressage so i didn't think to ask. I don't have the money to get her a vet check either and its kinda pointless because she is almost 20 and i have owned her for 3 years.

I have to horses and my other mare is out of jumping for a while because her back is roached. My mare that fused used to jump alot when she was like 5-7 then she was a brood mare for 10 years and produced 2 babies and was just in the pasture the whole time.

I got her when she was 17 and i jumped her some. She wasn't staying sound and i had her hocks injected and she fused in the rt. hind. I know that means is doesn't hurt anymore but isn't very mobile.

She has been sound for like a year and a half and is doing well. I gave her adequan and she daily gets HA.

Would it be unreasonable to do cross rails and maybe 2 foot verticals with her? Will she be in pain?

Thank you for your answers

The question was answered by :
K F :
Disregard the first snarky answer. The hock is comprised of 3 sections; there is NO similarity to a fused hock joint and fusing an elbow.

Having said that, as you know, your horse will have less mobility with a fusion of the hock joint. But it is a natural occurrence in older horses. I see no reason that cross rails would be out of the question, but would you really sacrifice the health & safety of your horse AND yourself by listening to a bunch of strangers? Do yourself a favour and ask your vet to be 100% certain..

Edit: Reynie: You obviously don't have much experience with o/f work either. Many a schoolie in VERY well reputed places are still used in the SS program, with a nod from vets who service several big names.. like? Oh.. the USET..

Educate yourself before you chastise. OP is talkin' about under 2'. So long as *her* vet approves, no sense curtailing the horse's career unnecessarily.

And, in looking for similarities btwn the stacked hock joint/s and the human: Try vertibra. Or does everyone with fused vertebra have to resign themselves to a life as a couch potato?

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