Fly Boy - Update re Ringbone

[moneypit1]

Fly has high articular ringbone in both front pasterns. He is lame at the moment despite having the joint medicated in the worse leg twice in 7 months and is on 1 x danilon a day. I took him back to the vets a couple of weeks ago for more x-rays and they showed a significant advancement of the arthritis in such a short time which was so disappointing. My vet and I discussed a nervectomy but when the case was referred to a specialist he said it was not appropriate as the ringbone was just too high up the leg. So, where do I go from here? My vet has said that i have two real options, one is to raise his heels thus changing the shape of the foot but this is irreversible, the other is to take his shoes off and see how he does. It is doubtful he would ever be sound enough to ride again. In himself he seems quite happy, he is eating (to well) and plodding around the field, albeit lame. The trouble is this is ok now but come October he has to be stabled 24/7 and would not be able to be exercised due to his lameness.
He is a stress head anyway when kept in. He is 15 and could go on for another 10 years like this. I think perhaps I should let him go now whilst he is reasonably happy and well even though the thought of it rips through me to the core. Any advice appreciated. xx

 

[tallyho!]

Hi moneypit1, I'm sure I blathered on about bf to you last time. I don't know really how to persuade you apart from to google barefoot & ringbone and other pathologies and how it has helped. Did you look up Rockley Farm?

 

[moneypit1]

Hi moneypit1, I'm sure I blathered on about bf to you last time. I don't know really how to persuade you apart from to google barefoot & ringbone and other pathologies and how it has helped. Did you look up Rockley Farm?

Thanks tallyho. I did indeed. Looks great but unfortunately I just cannot afford it. After exhausting the bank so far with Fly (£3.5K) there is no more money in the pot. God how I wish money did not have to come into it. Thanks again, I suppose I am clutching at straws really. xx

 

[AmyMay]

When Amy was diagnosed with Ringbone (less severe than Flyboy by the sounds of it) I retired her, took her shoes off and chucked her in the field. After that day she never had a lame day in her life (field sound, never ridden again).

So, personally - if you can afford to retire him - that's what I'd do. I'd look to move where he can be out all year round (stabling PM if necessary through the winter) and see how it goes.

If you are thinking of letting him go, that wouldn't be the wrong decision either imo. Although I doubt he has 10 years in him, if the arthritis has deteriorated significantly over the past few months.

I really feel for you.