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Hi Beth,

I would definately have a vet check the horse out. This is usually a good idea to do before buying. It would be a good idea to have them check the horse's hock out so you can find out what kind of an injury it is.

I would check the hock out to make sure it isn't something new. Feel it to see if it is hot or swollen, and see if the horse flinches when you press in different places.
Your horse is young and not full grown, so if you can pinpoint the cause and perhaps help it to heal, he could outgrow it. It depends on what type of injury for it. It could just be a sprain, and not anything permanent.

I don't know about wrapping the hock. Generally, don't wrap a leg unless you know how to do it right, because you can mess up the horse's tendons and cause more pain if it's done wrong.

For general pain -- like sprains, strains, and arthritis -- I like to apply Absorbine Jr. for horses, it helps get the blood flowing to the area and it does comfort sore muscles and tendons. I don't know if this is what your horse has, but it's a good idea to keep in mind in case you get a horse that is strained.

If the hock is warm or swollen, you could apply ice to the area.
If the horse is in pain, you can talk to your vet about giving some Bute to ease the pain.

Sometimes an injury takes awhile to heal. I sprained my ankle and was advised to rest it-- it took 3 months to heal. I hurt my back recently and I was told to stretch it, and not rest it too much. You'll have to have the vet look at the horse to see what's causing the problem so you'll know how to properly treat it.

Get back to me & let me know how it goes!