Hock injections are one of the most effective treatments for managing arthritis and joint pain in performance horses, but they must be performed with absolute precision. Infections in the hock, coffin, fetlock, or stifle joints can destroy cartilage within days and leave a horse permanently lame, which is why sterile technique is non-negotiable. Every step matters, from surgical scrubbing and sterile preparation of the medication to the exact placement of the needle into the joint space. When do