low ringbone, when to call it a day??

Going by what the OP's posted her horse is not going to get better - not if it's got advanced ringbone, particularly if it's articular - which as I said is excruciating for a horse due to the area it affects - overgrowth of bone on a joint with very little space between it, means you have bone grating on bone with every step and if you're happy to advise letting a horse that has already stopped acting like a normal horse on a reasonably high dose of painkillers to tough it out with a condition like this then quite frankly I despair.

If it's non articular there is more hope, but articular? Unless you are looking at putting a horse through the seriously invasive procedures offered for this condition the pain will get worse. My mare was on 6 Danilon at day within a month of her last steroid injection into her pastern failing ......7 weeks after it was done - just like the OP's horse mine didn't get anything like long enough relief from it

I suggest you read what she's written again, compare it with my experience which is also with ringbone - not navicular which as I said CAN and is treated by going barefoot (although yes I've been there with that too) It was the ringbone that crippled her - she could have happily pootled around for years if it hadn't been for that. It is a condition where doing nothing is NOT an option.

As I copied your post word for word it doesn't come much clearer does it, it's actually downright offensive....you are being extremely arrogant and showing no empathy for the OP's situation or from what you posted anybody else that has had to take the terrible decision to have their horse pts due to a similar situation. Hence my response to you..both times.
What the OP needs here is sympathy with her situation - Waving the magic barefoot wand doesn't always work and as much of an advocate for barefoot as I am,at the risk of being equally offensive, in situations like this I'm fed up to the back teeth of it being touted as a cure all......it most certainly isn't

OP I'm sorry that this has degenerated into a slanging match. In response to your post be guided by what your vet/s say, but as you know the horse and can see any changes in his behaviour on a daily basis, you'll know what to do as the best thing for him x
 
I am facing a similar situation to the OP. In fact a few weeks ago, I actually called the knackerman as my horse was so bad. However, he seemed a little better the next day and I cancelled the call-out. He was diagnosed 3 years ago as an 8 year old. The joint was medicated, remedial shoes on, pads, joint supplements - you name it, we probably tried it. He is happiest in his stable on rubber matting & thick bedding. Is currently on 2 danilon a day and able to potter about the field. But he walks as if his feet are too heavy for him. I am trying barefoot as a last resort. The hard ground at the moment is not helping, and I just go day to day. It is a terrible decision to have to make.
 
I'm a bit behind the times on this one - but had to comment. Daisy chain i hope you never have the devastation of a horse with this kind of Ringbone.
I'm afraid i have to agree with twirly that the pain to the horse is excruciating and to think that this disease can be treated with a bit of barefoot trimming truly does 'smack of ignorance'

I spent 9 years trying to keep my beautiful horse sound enough to live a happy life until it got too much for him at 16 . When up to 4 bute a day was doing nothing after years of steroid injections, supplements - you name it - i knew nothign in the world was going to save him. I even had to take him for MRI just to confirm to myself what i already know.

OP i really feel for you - its a dreadful decision to make - as if like mine your horse probably looks in perfect health. mine had never looked better than when i had to say goodbye. Seeing him crippled when he had always been so feisty and brave was heartbreaking.

I hope it all works out for you. I know theres always the surgery option but it wasn't to be for me. i couldnt put him through all the pain for an uncertain outcome and his other leg was going the same way.

Good luck with whatever you decide
xx
 
I dont think for one minute that the horse can be cured by barefoot alone, and i have not stated that at all. I would do that as preperation for letting the horse down.

I purely commented on what i would do.... She has stated that the horse eats and drinks and looks well in himself.

I have actually known many horses that have been pts, and many horses which have been given a considerable amout of time off to come back and do a job.

Twirly is comparing her horse to this case, which is a compleately different one altogether,
as i also stated give him a year and then reavaluate, as the horse is only 7yrs old.

I didnt want a slanging match, but this is what i would do. Just to give the body chance to settle down and heal.

I think you have the wrong end of the stick. It is a bloody horrible descision to have something put down, when there could be a possibility he may come better. I personally wouldnt want that on my concience without giving him/her time first.
 
I'm not wishing to put the cat among the pigeons here, but in my experience of a horse with an arthritic knee, which is not dissimilar to ringbone (including a severe lateral deviation and very knobbly knee extensions), the worst of his pain was when the arthritis was forming i.e. in the early days.

At that time he was on up to four Danilon a day for brief periods, i.e. one to two days, which was then reduced to more reasonable levels, generally one a day.

He is now, three years later, on a half to two thirds of a sachet a day which keeps him sound and happy.

It is distressing to see your horse in pain, but if I were you, OP, I would discuss with your vet a time limit combined with a gradual reduction in the level of pain killers needed to keep him sound and take it from there.

Many people on this forum tend to see a horse as a mere commodity, rather than a friend/riding horse/pet, and are all too quick to dispatch the horse without giving it a chance. If a horse were in constant pain and had no chance of quality of life, then I agree that the owner should do the decent thing, but not in haste, as the rest of one's life is an awfully long time to think of the what ifs.
 
Rueysmum said:
I'm not wishing to put the cat among the pigeons here, but in my experience of a horse with an arthritic knee, which is not dissimilar to ringbone (including a severe lateral deviation and very knobbly knee extensions), the worst of his pain was when the arthritis was forming i.e. in the early days.

At that time he was on up to four Danilon a day for brief periods, i.e. one to two days, which was then reduced to more reasonable levels, generally one a day.

He is now, three years later, on a half to two thirds of a sachet a day which keeps him sound and happy.

It is distressing to see your horse in pain, but if I were you, OP, I would discuss with your vet a time limit combined with a gradual reduction in the level of pain killers needed to keep him sound and take it from there.

Many people on this forum tend to see a horse as a mere commodity, rather than a friend/riding horse/pet, and are all too quick to dispatch the horse without giving it a chance. If a horse were in constant pain and had no chance of quality of life, then I agree that the owner should do the decent thing, but not in haste, as the rest of one's life is an awfully long time to think of the what ifs.
Click to expand...

Thankyou for that, it is your first point which is very valid, while everything is forming it can be very painfull. Hence my reasons for wanting to give the horse some time first. And the vet doesnt appear to be in a hurry to pts either.
 
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