Ringbone & Endurance

[Connie DeJong <cdejong@cisco.com>]

Our 27yr old Arabian has had ring bone.  He gets real stiff in the fetlock
 area, and there are bony bumps (often called jewelry)  around his front fetlocks. 
 He is real heavy on the forehand and was always shod upright.  I have had him 
on Flex Free orsimilar medication during riding season and just recently a new
ferrier trimmed his heels so his angle he is not so upright.  He is doing much 
better just from that change.  Even though he was diagnosed with ringbone 
since he was18, he continued to compete in Endurance in Limited Distance
until 25.  My son  rode him, in fact I only allow light weights to ride him (<160 lbs).  
 
We stopped racing him after he was pulled twice on a ride.  He was fine if his legs 
stayed warm, but standing around in the vet line often made him stiffen up, 
and this resulted in pulls.  We still ride him at 27, he is a dream horse 
for new riders and kids, and a joy for myself. This horse loved 
Endurance races, he knew how to rate himself and would always come into vet
and take a nap.  We are still looking for a horse to match his stamina and
smarts!

I recommend conditioning your horse just like you planned to for Endurance,
and do the same things that would happen at a vet stop.  See if he shows
any signs of lameness.  That should be your judge.  Our vet always recommend
frequent riding to keep him loose.  That should be your plan.

Hope this helps.

Connie DeJong
Villa Montagne Equestrian B&B
28495 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-2174 , 338-2427(fax)
www.bedbreakfastinnguide.com/Montagne/

The best kept secret located in the Redwood Forest of the 
Santa Cruz Mountains on the Skyline to the Sea trail.


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