Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

If the ringbone is just now forming (and in your previous post you indicated 
that your vet saw some activity on the pastern bones) that could be one reason 
for your horse's pain.  If ringbone is forming, the process is painful.  The 
tendons and ligaments in the area are likely to become inflamed as well which 
would account for the swelling you're seeing so quickly.  

That right hoof is very imbalanced and has been so for a long time.  This is 
likely the cause of any changes in the boney column.  Along with causing the 
bone to wear unevenly (which could cause arthritis - ringbone), it also puts 
added stress on the ligaments that hold the joints together.  In addition, the 
tendons in the area are also either more lax or more taught (depending on which 
tendon you're observing) which can also cause rubbing on the bones as well as 
muscle pain further up the leg.  

Combine all of this with the added stress of the long toes on that hoof and you 
have a recipe for a lot of discomfort as well as added wear and tear on the 
tendons/ligaments as well as lateral cartilages.  When tendons, ligaments and 
cartilages come under stress the body responds by sending a protective, 
strengthing agent to the site called proteoglycan.  Over a long period of time 
of prolonged stress, proteoglycans will cause occification of the soft tissue.  
Dr. Bowker has done some interesting histology work in this area that he 
reported on to the AAEP last fall.  

Marv's suggestion to look at the rear diagonal (Left rear) is a good one.  But, 
in your horse's case I don't think that is the cause of the pain.  However, you 
will find similar issues in the rear that also need to be fixed.  The hind 
diagonal is nearly always a mirror to the front.

I think with correct trimming/shoeing and some time off your horse has a good 
chance of continuing work.  But, the issues in that foot are in dire need of 
some agressive balancing efforts to get him more comfortable. 

Karen 


Referenced Post:
X-rays tasken three weeks ago showed no real indication of ringbone, so we are 
now going to wait a month and x-ray again and see if boney changes are present 
at that time. 

I am, to say the least, devastated.  Ringbone is a horrible diagnosis. I'm 
hoping it's not what we're dealing with, but I don't know what else it could 
be.  What else could cause a bulge above the hairline like that?  And why would 
it get so much bigger in a week?  That seems odd...I would think even ringbone 
would advance more slowly than that. 

                       
                       
                       
                       
               
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