I
have a horse with high ringbone. He was barefoot when I got him a year and
a half ago. I knew he had the ringbone, but I took a chance on him becoming
sound. He is a very gentle well bred Doc Bar QH, so he was worth the
risk. Because of being ignorant of horses and the benefits of being barefoot, I
had shoes put on his fronts. He did seem better and was rideable unless I
did a lot of tight turns. This went on for ten months. Then I had to move
him to a different place to board. It had a lot of deep mud right in front
of the entry to his stall and he went lame within a week. I finally got
him out of that place and in a nice 10 acre MUD free pasture. Almost over
night he was sound! He was running and bucking and I could ride him and he
was fine. Then his feet were getting long and I had him re-shod. It made
him sore, (hot shoeing) then to top it off he pulled the shoe almost off. By the time I could get the farrier back to fix it he had pulled it off. Now I have him barefoot in hopes he will heal up and become sound. I have
read how many horses are sound again. My question after all this is, it has
been five weeks and he is only a tiny bit better. He is very tender on even the
smallest rocks. Just putting a saddle on him he limps terribly. I do have
him on a joint supplement and extra MSM, plus flax seed meal. I read the
omega-3 is good for arthritis. Do I expect him to be gimpy for a few
months? Or is there something else I can do? He seems to have full
movement of his foot, it is not hot or seems tender. Sometimes it looks like
his shoulder could have pulled something or irritated something when he
caught the shoe and pulled it off?
I did buy Easyboots, he still limps but walks so funny with them on and takes little tiny steps, I don't want to leave them on even just walking him. He is noticeably irritated with on, ears pinned.
Another question, I also read (I have madly been reading about ringbone) if the joint fuses he will be sound. I read if you keep it irritated enough, it will cause it to fuse. This is done by riding, even though they are in pain. Or is that not correct? Sorry if I am being long winded here but I am so attached to this horse I only want what is best for him. He has a forever home with me regardless of ever riding him.
Thanks for your time.
I did buy Easyboots, he still limps but walks so funny with them on and takes little tiny steps, I don't want to leave them on even just walking him. He is noticeably irritated with on, ears pinned.
Another question, I also read (I have madly been reading about ringbone) if the joint fuses he will be sound. I read if you keep it irritated enough, it will cause it to fuse. This is done by riding, even though they are in pain. Or is that not correct? Sorry if I am being long winded here but I am so attached to this horse I only want what is best for him. He has a forever home with me regardless of ever riding him.
Thanks for your time.
Hi
there,
Five
weeks is not long enough for damage from shoeing to resolve, regardless of the
ringbone situation. Most websites on natural hoof care will explain in detail
what to expect over the next few months to a year when it comes to transitioning
to barefoot from shod.
I would
not recommend the surgery to fuse the pastern. Unless the ringbone is VERY
extensive, it will not likely fuse on its own. The surgery often damages the
nerves to the foot, requires the horse being confined and in a cast, and places
unnecessary stress on the horse in general. The most comfortable movement you
can manage using boots and comfort pads (see www.easycareinc.com) will be the best bet. I
would not ride a horse in pain hoping the pastern joint would
fuse.
Horses
I've dealt with that have ringbone (even severe changes) do amazingly well once
their hooves are in good working order, as the hoof flexes instead of forcing
the painful pastern to twist. I have had many of them that you would not
believe have ringbone as good as they work.
Take
care,
Dr. Tom
T.
I am thinking of buying a horse but they said he has Ringbone. I am not sure what that is! Would you recommend staying away from it or is it something you can work with and they are fine?
Posted by: Jamie | November 08, 2007 at 05:49 PM
I am thinking of buying a horse but they said he has Ringbone. I am not sure what that is! Would you recommend staying away from it or is it something you can work with and they are fine?
Posted by: Jamie | November 08, 2007 at 05:50 PM
I am thinking of buying a horse but they said he has Ringbone. I am not sure what that is! Would you recommend staying away from it or is it something you can work with and they are fine?
Posted by: Jamie | November 08, 2007 at 05:50 PM