Ringbone?

Sparkles

Sparkles

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Bit of a random one and I know more details will be probably be needed, how long it's had it, where it is, etc but I don't know anymore at present sorry!

Basically, looking for a horse [well pony] to be used as a very very light hack [ie, once a week,on grass, in walk mainly with the occasional trot. No harder work that this.]

Seen one which does seem perfect for what I'm looking for, stocky native pony, 100%, good to hack, manners to burn, etc. Advertised as a companion/light hack as just been diagnosed with ringbone and no longer suitable for them [county/HOY's showing currently] so looking for a good long term home for him to be retired from showing, used lightly and loved basically.

I know ringbone is degenerative and depends where it is etc, but, would it be suitable still for the very light riding that would be needed of it if decided to go for it? I know it would pose a risk if it worsened very quickly and had to be retired fully etc, but therotically speaking, do you think it would hold up and be comfortable doing the one light hack each week [probably about 30 minutes walking with the odd trot round the estate, or just mooching through the paddocks].
The pony in question does just seem just perfect for what I've been looking for as was originally looking for an older semi-retired horse anyway so was considering ailments etc, as it really wouldnt be in a lot of work at all and would spend 90% of it's week being fussed, groomed and pampered mainly!

Any thoughts greatly welcomed.

I've not come across a horse with ringbone myself yet so don't have any personal dealings with it! Obv, I'dhave words with my vet and confer with the pony's vet too, etc and get their opinions.
 
I'm sure it would be fine for now, long term is dificult to predict but if its just finishing showing it can't be that bad yet. You should consider how much time and money you are willing to invest in the problem to slow down its progression - by way of feed supplements/pain relief if required/ magnetic boots/maybe nothing.
I am more concerned by the fact you only want to ride once a week, arthritic conditions are best managed by light exercise every day. This helps keep the muscles and ligaments around the joints strong so they can provide optimum support and maintain function for longer. Also if you only ride once a week the pony is going to loose all its muscle along its top line and back and its just really not ideal. Saying that there are probably far worse homes it could end up in. Ideally you need something that will keep its self fit in the field and it it really would be better if you could ride three times a week.
 
They're not a huge issue for the right horse, as anything that can build riding confidence is worth its weight in gold really.
It's just a weekend light hacking horse and is just adverised as a companion/very light hack....am considering it as that's all that's needed as it's just to mooch round her estate on and gain confidence riding again at weekends and it seems a complete darling. During the week, if it's suitable, might be used for grooms horse-mad kids to have a little sit on and led round for walks...but not particularly counting this as 'work' so to speak.
It would be living out the majority of the time also so kept mooching all the time then also.

Thankyou for your thoughts. Just want a collection of views really! Dealth with sidebone,spavins,arthiritis and various other ailments but never ringbone personally. Learn something new everyday.
 
I know it's only a companion/light hack but I wonder whether it's worth asking for x-rays before purchase? From what I know of RB, a lot depends on *where* it is and where it is (if I've got this right) articular or non-articular. One, I think it's the former, is worse than the other. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here please though!

Do you know where the pony has ringbone?

Before making a decision I would want to know what type of RB it is, where it is and have an idea of how quickly it's likely to degenerate.
 
That's what I meant at the start lol....at present I'm unsure whether it's low or high ringbone but in process of trying to find out...I shall let you know!

But yes thanks...shall definatley be getting it's Xrays from recently/get more done and get my vets opinion on them also. :)
 
Hello
I dont know whether you have already made your decision about this horse yet but I thought I would let you know about my old boy.

He was diagnosed with high and low ringbone at just 5 years of age (possibly from an old wire injury) and I was advised to PTS by vet. I got a second opinion, retired him but he came back into work at 9 when the arthritis had fused up and then was worked regularly until he was 15. He did end up with a stiff pastern which changed his action a little in front but he was sound and fine for normal hacking.

My boy would probably have worked longer but I had replaced him by then so he became a much loved pet and lived until he was 29 when he had to be PTS for an unrelated condition.
I did use bute in the winter for him if he was a little uncomfortable but in the summer you wouldnt know there was anything wrong with him.

I hope this helps.
 
Hiya
My boy has just been diagnosed with Low ringbone. I was eventing him all summer season last year, then we went hunting and he felt a little short, I stopped and when we went to walk off, he was totally hopping lame. I got him back to the horsebox and cut a long story short, he has low ringbone.
He has poor conformation and I would say that you have to take each case by case. There is never a right or wrong, but deep pockets you will need to have. My boy is now on two packets of pain killers a day and he is just about sound. I do not know what it will mean for the long term, but we will keep going as long as he looks happy.
In terms of riding, at a walk, he seems ok, so I am doing a ride by ride basis loan on him for people, so when he is sound they can ride and only pay when he is sound enough to ride. Otherwise he is there to be fussed and groomed and mooch around the field. LOW Ringbone means (for all those who will say its better to ride all the time) that sometimes the inflammation requires more pain killers and riding, let alone him walking is not an option. As thise progreses, we will need to see how he is coping.
This is all an ongoing thing and my heart and head is popping as I never know what state he will be in day to day. Its not a good way to be, but if you are willing to take things day to day and not worry ( i am a worrier!) then you shoud cope ok..
Good luck, bear in mind everything I write here is just a snap shot of my day to day, so if anyone wants to comment about the way I keep my horse, don't bother, this is for the recipient only and take what you want from it, hope it helps to see another picture of the disease...
 
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