Question about lump on back of hock
 

Hello everyone,
I'm new to this forum and I am hoping someone can answer a question.
I have a nine year old appaloosa/mustang; he is in overall very good health but has a large bump on the back of his hock (point of hock). It doesn't seem to cause him pain and he has had it since I bought him over a year ago. The vet who examined him after purchase did not even comment on it. While it doesn't seem to bother my horse in any way (even when I touch it), I have noticed that it has gotten noticeably larger over time. Even the lady who runs the stable I board at said she has never seen anything like it.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

You say the vet made no mention, but have you actually asked the vet about that specific concern? Because there is a noted change in the lump, it warrants (imo) examination geared specifically towards this concern.

I would have it biopsied by the lab (vet can refer you to them) to see what it is. It could be cancerous, it could be arthritis. It could be a number of things.. better to know though!

Equine CAPPED HOCKS, Causes, Treatment in Horses

Probably a capped hock..... This is a good article on it...........

It is just a 'capped hock' from kicking something or being kicked. It is cosmetic unless he is a stall kicker or is causing himself harm. Then, eventually he will cripple himself from repeatedly hitting it.

Look for a change in the temperature of it. If there is any recent inflammation, it will be hot to the touch -- especially in the early morning when all four legs should be cold to the touch.

If there is any heat or inflammation in it, DMSO is your best option. But, you absolutely need to address the cause (like stall kicking) or some other self-destructive activity the horse is engaging in.

Haven't seen a capped hock since I rode at a stable as a teen. We used to use liniment and massage it well several times a day to help dispurse the fluids.