Heat in a Compensating Limb

Q: I have a 3-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred I purchased with a "mild suspensory strain." He seems quite sound on it; however his hock on the affected leg is always warm compared his other hock and knees. Could this mean he's compensating for the suspensory injury?

A: It’s difficult to say whether the notable heat in your horse's hock is related to the suspensory strain in his history. With injuries to the hind-suspensory ligament origin, a horse can have heat and swelling that is typically localized on the inside of the leg below the chestnut. I would recommend having your veterinarian perform a thorough exam to determine the cause of the heat and whether it's a reason for concern. Further diagnostics, such as an X ray or ultrasound exam, might be necessary.

Source: TheHorse