Keratoma and Sidebone prognosis and experience

[The Trooper]

Hey all,

One of my mares was diagnosed by xray with side bone (both fronts) and a keratoma. We were looking for a keratoma and found side bone.

We only hack so she isn't LOU as such yet (she isn't insured yet anyway), vet says she should be ok to be ridden on soft ground and that there isn't alot of point in operating, farrier is saying fix the keratoma and we can try to mitigate the side bone with good farriery.

I'm a bit unsure as what to do and really need some help to decide.

Should I operate on the Keratoma and continue with remedial farriery in the hope of off setting the side bone?

Retire her for to a life of light hacking only?

Retire her entirely?

I'm open to answer more questions, just not sure where to go from here.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I have no experience of the problem, thankfully, but I would follow the farrier's advice. I don't see how you could guarantee to hack on soft ground only.

 

[be positive]

Sidebone rarely causes an issue, one here was xrayed recently and had sidebone but the vets didn't really even comment they moved on to finding the real issue, in our case hind limb, in yours the keratoma which needs to be dealt with as that is something requiring treatment, once that is sorted she may well be fine as the sidebone has probably been there for some time without causing any problems.

 

[Red-1]

I have known several horses with sidetone, one was huge and he was sound and in full work for years (hard work too).

I would do as the farrier says. Excise the keratoma and then shoe sympathetically for the sidebone.

 

[deb_l222]

The keratoma is a tumour, albeit benign, and will continue to get bigger so that should really be sorted. My gelding had two removed and that was straightforward. It didn't solve his longterm lameness issues but that's a different story.

If you do operate however, be prepared for several weeks of box rest as a substantial chunk of hoof is removed and you will have to wait for this to naturally grow out again.

I'll post piccies when I get chance

 

[The Trooper]

Thanks for all your replies.

She hates being stabled for too long and as such rehab is also a factor that I need to consider when assessing the viability.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Thanks for all your replies.

She hates being stabled for too long and as such rehab is also a factor that I need to consider when assessing the viability.

I would discuss the problem in detail with both the vet and farrier, preferably getting them together at the same time. You might want to explore the use of hoof boots to allow turnout but I know from experience that it is not easy to get boots to fit huge feet.

 

[deb_l222]

I would discuss the problem in detail with both the vet and farrier, preferably getting them together at the same time. You might want to explore the use of hoof boots to allow turnout but I know from experience that it is not easy to get boots to fit huge feet.

The issue of turnout is due to hoof stability and not so much the issue of keeping it clean, although that does factor.

Keratomas form from the lamini and as such any surgery has to go VERY deep into the hoof, which compromises the entire hoof wall. Standing still (on box rest) with remedial shoeing give the hoof the very best chance to re-grow correctly. Hooning around a field doesn't.

 

[deb_l222]

I have got more pictures I’ll try and dig out. This one was taken the first time he was re-shod following the op, so prob about 6 weeks after.

 

[The Trooper]

It's looking like the operation is going to happen. Have been speaking to family and her owner and we've agreed that this is the best course of action for her - in our opinions of course.