Boggle- USA bound!

On the abcess front, had a horse who was a bit sore / nqr in front, came sound breifly then went hopping lame 2 weeks later. At this point he was checked with hoof tester by a farrier and no reaction anywhere. Had vet out, baffled looked very much like hoof issue from action. No heat or swelling. Slightly better in a straight line than a circle. Suggested rest & bute for pain to start see what happens before further testing. A few weeks later no real improvement a bit better some days but still lame. Vet back out and xrays.
It took vet and farrier studying the xrays to conclude that there might be something near 1 nail. That nail was removed from the shoe (very thin soles so meeded shoes on or would be lame due to being barefoot), and came out with a drop of pus on it. Horse was immediately sound.

The abcess could not have been much biggger than a pea, but they way he was carrying on you'd have thought he'd broken his pedal bone or done major damage some days.

Abcesses are bastards and some horses are very dramatic about them or they hurt disproportionatly for the size of the injury.

Hopefully Atlas just has a slow to resolve, intermittently painful abcess and its just going to take time. At a very annoying time, because when else do horses decide to go lame/injure themselves... 🙄
 
Hey team thanks I have a vet coming Friday. Not my usual one but experienced and pragmatic. My friend will hold him for me!

It may well be a waste of money as ultimately unless the vet says not too he will still travel next week hopefully, but I’ll feel better knowing he’s had eyes on him. No luck re farrier.

Honestly I’m kinda glad to be “away” from the it for the next 10 days. I have a big presentation on Thursday for the largest and most important deal of my career so far so my mind is firmly on that and Atlas will need to take a back seat on the things I worry about for a bit!!

Thank you for the abscess stories they do make me feel better! but knowing my luck it’s probably a keratoma or something fun and expensive 😀
 
Thank you. Gosh I can’t believe it’s next week we leave. Feels weird to be leaving Colorado, kinda like I’m leaving Boggle.

Let’s hope chapter 3 of this USA thing is a little less… crazy.

Atlas is even lamer than when I left. Now visible on a straight line which it wasn’t before.
 
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You do seem to have had some bad luck recently so yes, I do hope that Chapter 4 of your USA Adventures is smooth and less eventful :-)
and please post pictures of the new place! I love getting these glimpses of bits of real America that are not what we see on the news!
 
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Michen said:
Thank you. Gosh I can’t believe it’s next week we leave. Feels weird to be leaving Colorado, kinda like I’m leaving Boggle.

Let’s hope chapter 3 of this USA thing is a little less… crazy.

Atlas is even lamer than when I left. Now visible on a straight line which it wasn’t before.
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Sorry to hear that - I'm sure it's the last thing you wanted to hear, but it's good that you've got the vet coming tomorrow so you can make your decision on travelling Atlas. Good luck with the move. I don't know why, but all these "big ticket" issues have a habit of (a) coming all at the same time, and (b) when you least need them. 😟
 
Well Atlas is pretty much written off. Lame on the left front now so now sidebone is very much back in the mix. This vet seems to think the sidebone is really significant as it’s so big.

He said at best, he will be a hack and maybe some dressage on a surface but I can forget even low level eventing.

However- He also absolutely LOVES him, he’s an Morgan fan as he used to breed and break them and said he’s such a good solid example of the breed and the kind of horse that was clever enough to just wait for help if he was wrapped in wire. And keep me safe. Atlas clearly bought out all his magnificence and presence that he learned from his mate Bog! No joke- he says he would take him if I can’t keep him sound for what I wanted. When a vet is serious about taking on your horse for driving you kinda wonder how his future is so guarded!

He does want me to shoe, I wouldn’t usually be keen but given he’s barefoot and lame I kind of don’t have anything to lose at this point. He seems to think “stabilizing” the hoof will help. Well, he got lame barefoot so I guess I don’t have much to loose. I do wonder if the long reining on the roads was just too much but then you add a shoe and it adds concussion.

I’m in Arizona but here he is not needing any sedation for his radiographs just loving the attention. I had them re done just to be sure no laminitis/rotation since last x rays.

So, kind of a bummer but is what it is. He’s my little mate so he’s coming with me regardless. He has been rather high maintenance the last year but he’s also been a cheeky, steady companion to get me through the heartache of Bog 💕 My competing/jumping aspirations are certainly long gone anyway, and I hope one day we will have a nice horse property and he can play a companion role.

We have a pound of bute, plenty of Gastroguard, a pair of soft ride hoof boots and will be on our way to California next week :)




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Michen said:
Well Atlas is pretty much written off. Lame on the left front now so now sidebone is very much back in the mix. This vet seems to think the sidebone is really significant as it’s so big.

He said at best, he will be a hack and maybe some dressage on a surface but I can forget even low level eventing.

However- He also absolutely LOVES him, he’s an Morgan fan as he used to breed and break them and said he’s such a good solid example of the breed and the kind of horse that was clever enough to just wait for help if he was wrapped in wire. And keep me safe. Atlas clearly bought out all his magnificence and presence that he learned from his mate Bog! No joke- he says he would take him if I can’t keep him sound for what I wanted. When a vet is serious about taking on your horse for driving you kinda wonder how his future is so guarded!

He does want me to shoe, I wouldn’t usually be keen but given he’s barefoot and lame I kind of don’t have anything to lose at this point. He seems to think “stabilizing” the hoof will help. Well, he got lame barefoot so I guess I don’t have much to loose. I do wonder if the long reining on the roads was just too much but then you add a shoe and it adds concussion.

I’m in Arizona but here he is not needing any sedation for his radiographs just loving the attention. I had them re done just to be sure no laminitis/rotation since last x rays.

So, kind of a bummer but is what it is. He’s my little mate so he’s coming with me regardless. He has been rather high maintenance the last year but he’s also been a cheeky, steady companion to get me through the heartache of Bog 💕 My competing/jumping aspirations are certainly long gone anyway, and I hope one day we will have a nice horse property and he can play a companion role.

We have a pound of bute, plenty of Gastroguard, a pair of soft ride hoof boots and will be on our way to California next week :)




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Wish it were better news but as someone who’s horse has been written off of eventing due to suspected ringbone (he was 11 or 12) and the. 2 years later during a recheck to see how it had progressed and didn’t take a single misstep and was fully cleared to do anything your best bet is just time and doing things to build muscle and strength. We also didn’t have X-rays of the ringbone as it would have been too expensive at the time and just opted to treat like he had it per the lameness expert. It may be something that gains more stability as he ages and you find he comes round to being fully sound depending on how it develops. Regardless it’s so expensive to show anything above schooling shows just enjoying trails and practicing your riding skills is what a lot of American equestrians do lol
 
We didn’t block, I can’t recall why but vet wasn’t keen if there was a possible abscess which still isn’t a total no go although one in each foot seems unlikely.

With a now switching bilateral lameness it would be kind of crazy for it to not be in the hoof given the rest of his legs are clean and cold.

For some reason I feel fairly relaxed about the whole thing, both Bog and Bear had young horse hoof issues albeit nothing that made them this lame. The sidebone does make sense as he had become a little keen to walk on the verge despite plenty of hoof walk and being very good over all rocky surfaces. I feel like maybe there’s a chance the sidebone will settle down and if I’m careful he can do a job in the future but who knows.

I did find some heartening posts about young horses with sidebone that were written off and went on to have useful or even competitive lives so maybe he will have an ok future.

Either way he will be loved, remain in my ownership and assuming I can get him comfortable enough to be field sound (you’d really hope so!) he will be ok. Though he may find himself going back to Arizona for full time retirement if that’s what’s needed!

Thanks all for your kind works and patience through this latest drama. I’ll post photos of our set up when we get there! He will have dry lot turnout in a herd during the day and an open airy stall/run overnight. The place I chose was the non fancy, big busy but relaxed and fun barn with excellent trails so I hope I can get him sound enough to do some hacking soon.
 
MoodyFox_13 said:
Wish it were better news but as someone who’s horse has been written off of eventing due to suspected ringbone (he was 11 or 12) and the. 2 years later during a recheck to see how it had progressed and didn’t take a single misstep and was fully cleared to do anything your best bet is just time and doing things to build muscle and strength. We also didn’t have X-rays of the ringbone as it would have been too expensive at the time and just opted to treat like he had it per the lameness expert. It may be something that gains more stability as he ages and you find he comes round to being fully sound depending on how it develops. Regardless it’s so expensive to show anything above schooling shows just enjoying trails and practicing your riding skills is what a lot of American equestrians do lol
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Thank you, exactly!! Love hearing that story. I had my eventing days with Boggle. Maybe one day I’ll buy myself a really smart horse that can teach me some stuff but for right now all I need is my cheeky little red pony who brightens my day just by sticking his nose against my cheek!
 
Maybe not the news you wanted but he is young and with time he may be fine to hack which is mostly what you were going to do with a be little bit of competing, you love him so will get enjoyment interacting with him whatever he is able to do . When I gave up it was mostly the looking after etc rather than the riding that I missed most. Maybe he is a little sore and barefoot on fronts is too much at the moment so putting front boots or shoes on may be necessary at the moment, whatever happens you know we are all here wishing him better x
 
My friend's mare has been lame on and off with sidebone issues for about ten years. She's 15 or 16 now. She is sound and out hunting in winter, but she will go lame in summer if she's not managed carefully. They keep her fit and on the leaner side, and they bring her in from the field the moment the ground looks hard. She has a large barn space with deep bedding when she's in. She's also shod with pads which wouldn't be to everyone's liking but these days, she's effectively sound unless she overdoes things on hard ground.

I'm probably more neurotic than she is, so I may not choose to work a horse with sidebone quite as hard but it's an example of something that works for them in their situation, and the horse still does everything that she wants to do with it, aside from being hacked in the summer.
 
Thank you! Good to know. Luckily California (northern) will be a bit wetter and softer for him than Colorado which is either dry and hard or ice.

I’m hoping that the sidebone will settle down, some shoes will make him more comfy and that he can just be a fun low key horse for the future.

Most of what I read says that once the sidebones settles the majority of horses don’t have many issues again albeit there is always exceptions such as your friends horse.
 
So sorry you are still having issues with Atlas. You have certainly had some bad luck. I hope your move is the start of things looking up for you and Atlas. Good Luck with your road trip with him and I hope things improve with his lameness soon.
 
My 17h Irish D cross gypsy cob, Dublin , who is with my god daughter , developed side bone. We had images taken, he was lame most winter 3 years ago , he is 22 now. But came good after winter off with heart bar shoes and deep bed at night. God daughter won a veterans XC 100 cm last weekend. On him.
So don’t loose hope. Granted Dublin didn’t develop it till age 18/19. But he came good. And loves a good gallop
 
Without a conclusive diagnosis you never know given time the side bone might not be a major issue. It might all be bruising from an over reach and then compensatory lameness. Mine who was prone to over reach used to be incredibly lame with them. He ended up living in over reach boots
 
Thank you!! Yes who knows what it really is. I’m a little torn as I do understand the logic around shoes given he’s lame and sore to help stabilize things even if just for a cycle or two. But, he does have low heels and is very flat on his left in particular.

Vet wants bar shoes and when I said well that will crush/lower the heels further wouldn’t it he said yes, you have two things that need different things to fix! Not sure where I go from there.

I’ve emailed my UK vet the x rays and story for a consult. He’s very pro barefoot (was the first vet to start writing about and sending horses to Rockley) where possible but also pragmatic and generally has a very sensible outlook. I’ll take his advice on what he advises.

I’m sure Atlas will be ok, I can’t see that he will be totally written off so young. There is no rush with him, my main issue is he piles on weight like nothing I’ve ever owned despite weighed and soaked hay so the lack of exercise is a problem and turning him away in a grassy pasture doesn’t feel like a great option (CA grass is very rich).

but that’s a problem for another day!
 
Rubbish news, but if it helps any with your decision, this was my experience.

Skylla has enormous sidebone in both front feet, clinically significant, you can tell without x-rays big! She was barefoot, but started stopping so we shod so we could stud on grass. She went lame and the sidebone was shown, plus PSD behind. We kept the shoes on as the vet wanted to stabilise the feet, I had her feet injected and she came sound. She then did a very bouncy hack on the road and went lame again…

I gave her 6 months off for everything to settle and took the shoes off, three and a bit years on she is 13 and totally sound 🤞🏻. I think the concussion with the shoes on upset her sidebone (which was there from when I bought her at two).

She is very happy barefoot again, but I am careful with ground, not too hard for her fronts and not too deep for her PSD behind! I have made her a light hacker but that’s only because I bought a youngster to focus on, I think with sensible management she could do a lot more!
 
I’ve had 2 very different experiences of sidebone and in both cases I wouldn’t say it was the primary/ only problem.

The Welsh D I sent to Rockley had moderate amounts of it. Vets thought it might be cause of lameness. Nic felt the soles like paper, complete collapse of the back of his foot and feet like pancakes (all of which had been totally not commented on by the vet) had more to do with it. He also turned out to be VERY grass sensitive (& indeed was eventually diagnosed PPID… we really should have tested for EMS but I think most people were using the test where you give them glucose at the time and I was advised that would not be a good idea!) and I’d say periods of going footy coincided more with the grass flushing than with hard ground. Once he came back from Rockley he didn’t have any sidebone flare ups which would support it being incidental in his case. He hacked for miles at all speeds, did multi day rides, did TREC & hunted.

rockleyfarm.blogspot.com

Prince's palmar progress

I took these photos of Prince earlier in the week, when he had been here for exactly 2 weeks. I know lots of you were interested in how h...
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The Highland as you all know was a different kettle of fish. He started to land slightly laterally quite early on in his life. (I think it started either very subtly whilst away at Gawsworth or soon after he came back - not implicating them in any way (& I’d say one of his soundest periods overall / times he was at his most ideal weight was whilst there) just saying it’s hard to pinpoint as I didn’t see him as often whilst there due to distance and then trimmer noticed soon after I was able to finally find a yard prepared to put up with him!). We opted to work with him & use boots and pads for hacking to try and protect from concussion. The sidebone was then discovered about a year later when thought we may as well X-ray the feet at same time as his jaw that he’d injured. Vet didn’t think much of it at the time despite its impressive size but trimmer felt it possibly explained him landing on the outside rather than breaking over perfectly in the centre of the foot.

We had quite a lot of discussion at the time re whether we should try to force him to land “properly” but as he appeared sound at the time we opted not to mess (when we did try to mess further down the line I don’t think it helped)

Obviously further down the line he turned out have kissing spines, arthritis in several joints and the neck weirdness and his landing deteriorated and the plaiting and going down on his knees started. Because of all the other “stuff” I can’t say what percentage of his soundness issues were sidebone and what was “everything else”. Obviously we all know how that ended (I am NOT for one second suggesting that’s the way it’s going to go with Atlas as I genuinely don’t think it will)

I will say the next “thing” I was considering looking into trying was composite shoes with some kind of padding in there. I believe Garrett Ford (sp?) of Easyshoe is your side of the pond and that his “mushroom cuff” design for being able to secure the shoes / potentially allow them to be taken on & off should be available over there (not currently here & Id think won’t be for a while with current tariff silliness). May be worth a look if you’re thinking you need to try “something” but not convinced about bar shoes? (Even if just for a few cycles whilst things settle down?). Or you could try 24/7 boots with pads (which you could potentially do in such a way as to try and faff with his landing if felt to be appropriate) for a few weeks and see if that helps (although you’d probably want the over-reach injury healed up first)

Anyhow your plan of seeing what UK vet thinks sounds very sensible if he’s quite pragmatic.
 
If I were to shoe I would be looking into the EasyCare line of shoes as Boulty mentioned. I bought a set of fronts, the adhesive, the adhesive gun, plastic wrap, and wire brush, but never did end up using any of it and sold it to my farrier.

I thought they'd be a decent compromise between steel shod and barefoot.

I do think many vets and farrier's get fixated on stabilizing the hoof. When one of mine had a hoof ailment stabilizing it was the main focus and it never did him any good. Barefoot with a proper trim did. It all depends though and I'm not anti-shoe or anything.

I think that getting the hoof in proper balance/alignment is more important than stabilizing with metal shoes, in most instances, but I'm also not an expert!
 
Yeh I’m not opposed to something like easy care. His balance is actually pretty spot on (but was x rayed very soon after a trim). He grows wonky though, he was balanced when x rayed because he had been trimmed well. But he still got lamer!

He was bought as part of a group of rescue horses over from California so I suspect he spent his early years without any proper hoof care, combined with being a little pigeon toed and it makes sense.
 
My pony was found to have large side bones 5 years ago. He had competed successfully for years but did have the odd bout of undiagnosed lameness. We switched to boots instead of shoes as not only do the boots give more suspension (I use Equine Fusion Active) but he also started not being keen on having the nails banged in.
 
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Michen said:
Yeh I’m not opposed to something like easy care. His balance is actually pretty spot on (but was x rayed very soon after a trim). He grows wonky though, he was balanced when x rayed because he had been trimmed well. But he still got lamer!

He was bought as part of a group of rescue horses over from California so I suspect he spent his early years without any proper hoof care, combined with being a little pigeon toed and it makes sense.
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It’s awful expense wise but shoes with a leather pad and soft fill does wonders for my guy staying comfortable. He’s technically sound in plain shoes but we notice he’s much more free in his shoulder and happy to move out in his shoe package. It helps with the concussion if you do end up shoeing.
 
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