Pedal bone probs

[wvfoxylady]

Hi everyone,was just wondering whether anyone has had a horse that has had problems with its pedal bone.
I am looking for a nice ploddy cob for my novice partner to hack out with me and my horse in the summer.
I have been offered a 14.2hh cob from a rescue organization that i know who has been approached by someone that has this horse at the moment. She bought it for her daughters to compete at dressage and they have done quite well with it.
It has now been diagnosed with a problem with its pedal bone, Im not sure of all the facts yet ,but he is under treatment from an equine specialist, and they have told her that he will not be able to compete at the level they were at anymore due to the physical demand it would have on the horse.
Anyway they have told her that he can still be ridden, has anyone had any experience with these problems before? I am going to ring the vets and get there opinion on the problem before I take it on,just dont want to have the horse for 2 month and him need an op or worse still have to deal with pts.He is only 11years old and just want him for hacking.

 

[bellaM]

Hmmmm! What problem is it that it has had? I would be weary of a cob with pedal bone problems if it is either fore-handy to ride got a conformation problem in front or is out of proportion and bigger in front. Which rescue organisation is it and what is the exact diagnosis? If you got it you may need to be careful what farrier you use.

 

[wvfoxylady]

The rescue is ran by a friend of mine,she deals mainly with dogs and cats, but has had the occasional horse in.
It is her bank manager that has the horse. The vet is coming back to re x-ray it today.
I am not entirely sure exactly what it has been diagnosed with yet and neither is my friend ,I would be finding out all the facts from her vet and as much advice about the problem before I even contemplate taking it on.
She didnt mention about rotation in our conversation last night, you see she obviously will have the horse insured so hopefully will get him sorted before I take him, but I would need confimation from the vet that he can still be ridden lightly.
I will be insuring him but obviously they aint gonna cover him for that problem.
I know that as time goes on his problem will deteriate and I am willing to deal with that, but just a bit worried that he might need an op in the near future etc.Do you know of anyone who has had an op on their horses pedal bone before and the success rate.I know I need to find out more facts first.x

 

[bellaM]

I don't think that operation can be done on the pedal bone it is managed with shoeing and good maintenence, (else imagine how much time it would take and problems there would be with the hoof wall and how lame it would make a horse, probably to the point it may get weight bearing laminitis on other foot) also make sure the vet who is doing the diagnostics is an equine vet and be sure of his credentials.
It may need specialist shoeing which costs a whack!!

 

[wvfoxylady]

Cheers Rosiep. Someone I knew had a horse where the pedal bone had rotated down through the hoof and had an op but they removed part of the hoof wall to do it.Unfortunately lost touch with that person so dont know outcome.x

 

[bellaM]

I think that would have been a resection of some sort that relives pressure within the hoof, but doesn't touch the pedal bone as such. Anyway let us know the outcome and your decision best of luck!!

 

[wvfoxylady]

Oh right that rings a bell actually.Will keep you posted as soon as I know more about it.Cheers

 

[Cloud9]

My horse is a heavyweight cob and he had a chip fracture of his near hind pedal bone - he was box rested for four months and had to wear a round bar shoe for six months. When the vet gave me the ok to ride again as he was sound we could only walk at first - eventually he gave me the ok to trot (not on roads) and canter where the ground allowed but I am now riding him normally, only don't overdo trotting etc on hard surfaces and am careful in the summer. Touchwood he seems fine so far but it does worry me that it will re-occur. He is 9years old.

 

[wvfoxylady]

Thanks Puddle.Your boy is gorgeous!! Very handsome indeed!

 

[Thunder]

My mare has had rotation of the pedal bones in both hind feet (no sinkage though)

She's had 5 months in her box and is now being ridden in walk and trot.

She wears heart bar shoes on the hind feet and is 100% sound.

I think it'll depend also on the nature of the horse - mine is a fighter and it takes a hell of a lot to get her out of work, some just give up.

Mine is rising 22 (she doesn't that though so please don't tell her!)

 

[merlinsquest]

Big horse in the riding school when i was a kid (many years ago)!!! had pedalostitis, but that probably has a different name now!!!

He was kept in full work with leather pads on all feet, and the occasional bute..... he was eventually sold and was kept in full work for many more years and only pts when his kidneys started to fail due to old age!!

 

[wvfoxylady]

Thanx for your comments guys. Still havent heard what the vet diagnosed but will keep you informed.x