What happends when a horse has a chip in his ankle?

Question

I might buy a horse that has a chip in his ankle but im not sure what it means? Does it effect him on anything? His is re-tired from the race track and wont go back. Please let me know

Answer 1

Chances are they are talking about a bone chip in his ankle.  It usually requires surgery because most horses, even if they aren't currently lame, will end up permanently lame because of the chip or severe arthritis that will settle in to the joint.

Have a vet check done.  Most people aren't going to have a problem with you doing that, but you will have to pay for it.

If it's just a hoof chip it's no big deal, good trimming will take care of that.

Answer 2

a chipped ankle usually means that the horse got the injury from running when fatigued or tired.  It happens when the fetlock (ankle) is over extended and the bones knock hard enough together to chip the pastern bone.  This can easily be treated by arthroscopic removal, but make sure you know what kind of chip this is.  Most are not career-ending, and a horse with this injury can be a good riding horse.  But some are really significant, and you need to know which this is.  It's also going to depend on what you want to do with this horse.  If it's just tootling around, that may not ever be a problem.  If you want to do a lot of jumping or riding on hard surfaces, that's what probably caused the problem, and this horse may not be suitable.  I'd talk to your vet, or an independent vet if you don't have one, about this horse's prognosis.  

I do like that the owners told you up front, that's a good thing! See if you can get the radiographs that their vet used to diagnose the problem.

Good luck, OTTBs are great horses!

Answer 3

Is the chip in his hoof, or his bone? You also have a vet look at a horse before you buy it, or ask for recent notes from the last vet check. A hoof chip can be fixed fairly easy, but then it's really hard to say unless you have a pic of it.

Answer 4

It means either surgery to remove it, which is a big deal in a horse, and expensive, or that you take your chances that it won't cause major problems that involve pain and limited mobility later on.  It may not affect him now, but could later on.  You decide what risks you're willing to live with.

Answer 5

Be glad the people are honest to tell you.It's not what you see in buying a horse but what you don't see.They saved you the trouble.See if you can get an x-ray from them and also the name of the Vet that took it. Call him and he can tell you how sever it is.Depends where it is.Sometimes a horse can go lame one day and be o.k. the next due to a "floating chip" if its in a joint more serious. Chips can be taken out at a Large animal Clinic.I have had it done many times both knees and ankles  and the horses went on and were wonderful.First one was done by a Dr.Reed in Ny.That was 20 years ago and they have it down to an art now.It would not stop me from getting the horse if he were exceptional.Consider the added expense.Good Luck.

Answer 6

If it is a bone chip, mainly a floating bone chip in the ankle yes that can be dangerous I would get a vet out and get him checked and X rayed and in best case get it surgically removed if it is going to cause potential harm while working. I personally would never buy a horse with a bone chip it compramises the legs strength and ability to absorb impact depending on the fracture / chip. If you want to use this horse for jumping I would suggest looking at a diffrent horse. Or if your willing to pay to fix it.