ongoing lameness

[horses1111]

very long story cut fairly short.

I originally got this pony when he was a 4yr old.. no lameness problems but he has always had 'boxy' feet..
He went away to a riding school for a couple of years because I was unable to ride but we then got him back and again.. sound... he then went lame and we had the vet come to the yard (in 2007 I think) and we did nerve blocks which were inconclusive and as he wasn't my pony then the owner gave him bute and sold him..
in 2012 I bought him from the same owner he was sold to and he does get foot sore on rocks (he is shod) but we just avoid rocky paths.. But he has been on and off lame for this year (2014)
I have had the vet come out a fair few times as well as my blacksmith and vet did nerve blocks which were again, inconclusive...
The vet and blacksmith have told me that they believe he has side bone.. BUT this is where I'm confused.... Has anybody had a pony with sidebone that is on and off lame even after the change has happened? the vet recently told me that there wasnt much point xraying as we know it will show up the sidebone... and that she thinks he is just sore.. but he will still go lame in the school..
Anther very good horse woman and told me that it looks as if he has a club foot.. which I know they are born with but could this only cause lameness at a certain point or would he have been lame from a very young age.. He is 14/15 this year..

this is slowing me driving me up the wall! any advice i would be extremely grateful xx

 

[ester]

has he ever had an x-ray showing that sidebone is present?

 

[horses1111]

No vets don't seem to want to xray. Called today asking them to but instead they suggested other things to do like putting pads in his shoes. Slowly becoming a nightmare. One day he will be sound next we won't

 

[ester]

Well I wouldn't want to accept their diagnosis without xrays to confirm/demonstrate the extent of the sidebone. If they won't I would get another vet who will! No point in spending money on treatments/different shoeing if you don't know what is going on.

 

[horses1111]

Thank you. Very true. I just need to put my foot down with the vets reall then!!

 

[Wagtail]

We had a cob here with side bone. No need for xrays in his case - you could feel it. He was on off lame a lot and would also trip quite a bit in the school. When he was lame, it was only for a few days at a time and I would give him bute which seemed to ease it. As he got older and the side bone hardened, he had far few episodes of lameness. I think it affects them mainly when they are developing it.