My 4-year old has severe ringbone...?

Question

Hey guys,

First of all, I want to start out by saying that this is a subject I absolutely hate discussing, but I finally decided I need to find out as much information as possible about this disorder.

When my gelding was only 2 years old, a friend (Who is a vet tech) had told me that he had ringbone. I had absolutely no idea what it is, and she told me she was worried he isn't going to stay sound for me. You have to understand (As many of you horse owners do) that this horse is my life. I have had him since he was 6 months old and he was my first horse. I love him with all my heart and I DON'T want to see him suffer, no matter what that means.

Again, he is only 4 and I've heard that horses having the condition this early isn't unheard of, but it is somewhat rare. Can you guys just tell me how far you think it's progressed and what I can do for him? Should I keep riding him?

He is not lame on it, and never has been...help!

Not the best pictures, but you might be able to see it a little bit. He's soapy in these. It's in both his hind legs. :(

http://a664.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/66/l_78b474229f947c820d4c50421462d017.jpg

http://a666.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/125/l_da2e7b6700c4deb50a998c08df27a231.jpg

Answer 1

The degree of ringbone can't be determined without several x rays. the bony enlargements may show up on the front and sides of the joint, but also inside the joint.  He should already have been on medications to reduce the inflammation and slow the progression of it.  The vet can prescribe medications.  Ringbone doesn't respond well to injections directly into the joint, though.  They can do surgery to fuse the joint, which limits mobility but relieves pain.  the main thing you need to do is get some x rays so you even have a proper diagnosis to start with.  And he may also have low ringbone down inside the hoof, which only x ray will show.

Add....no ideas without x rays...some kind of traumatic injury, but most would have involved lameness.

Add...the second pics do look like ringbone, but you still need to know what is happening on the joint surfaces.  The farrier and vet could then work together to give you your options.

Answer 2

You aren't going to get an apology from that last poster, so I'll do it for him/her...wouldn't you always know that they post under anonymous for a reason?  You don't have any closer up photos of him, just his bottom leg/foot do you? It would really help and also if you have measured or can estimate the thickness or depth of the ringbone.  Have you seen any xrays of him?  I have an aged gelding that had severe ringbone when I got him, and I knew it.  This is 13/14 yrs later and we are still doing weddings with him, not regular street work, but weddings, none the less.  He is happiest when he is working.   I will wait and see if you have any more to add before completing my answer.

EDIT:  Not trying to give you false hopes or anything, but thought that you might find this interesting enough to follow up on:

http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/message...

Answer 3

Honeslty, without x-rays anything anyone says will be pure guesswork. You will have to consult a vet who will examine your horse and x ray him. What made your friend think he had ring bone? I have never known a horse have ringbone and not be lame with it at some point. It is degenerative and so gets worse, not better. I find it hard to believe (though I could well be wrong) that he could have ringbone, and it gone untreated for 2 years, and still not be lame. Ringbone is characterised by a bony growth in the coronet area. Low ringbone is harder to see until it is severe, when a bony growth will appear around the coronet band area. Low ringbone occurs in the hoof. High ringbone, on the other hand, is easier to see as it occurs in the pastern joint and the joint will often be very stiff.

My advice is to call a vet, also, ask your friend exactly what made her think he had ringbone.

ADD: I have just seen your additions which say he has seen a vet - has the vet actually x-rayed him and given a positive diagnosis? I will check back to see if you update :-)

ADD: I would push for X-rays, they are the only way you'll get a definate diagnosis and I'm surprised your vet didn't do them in the first place. It could be a number of things, including calcified tissue, ossification of the joint along with a million other things. Push for X rays, I find it hard to believe that he has ringbone as he is not lame.

Answer 4

Yes on the 2nd pic I blew it up and it's VERY prominent. I feel for you.  Any idea how it happened?  

The good thing about it is that at least it's on the hind legs and not in the front.  Because he is a gelding, the option of using him as breeding stock (If registered) isn't there as it was with the 8 yr old AQHA mare I purchased over 20 years ago with that in mind.  He looks like he's a little base narrow in the back and may interfere when traveling on the back so you may consider getting him some sort of longer (extending past the pastern.) splint boots to protect him back there from farther injury.

Talk to your farrier and see if he can suggest anything that will help him travel better and not interfere in the back.