Sidebones - how long do they take to form and other questions?

[Ranyhyn]

(also posted elsewhere)I have a few questions that I seem not to be able to get any real answer for.

Some of you may remember after hoolying around in the field, my 6YO mare came in on 3 legs. After weeks of not being sure she was xrayed and nerve blocked, where upon vet found she had sidebones forming.

Am I right in saying this is a fairly long process, not days..? ie these didn't form overnight?

Although I read there can be some degree of discomfort, is it reasonable to assume the soft tissue damage the vet suspects is the real reason for lameness and NOT the sidebone (which again, I read usually come and form without much grief?)

If not, realistically how long am I looking at, for these sidebones to form and settle fully?

 

[Andalucian]

Take a very critical look at your horse's foot balance, particularly medial/lateral. There is a reason why the side bone is being created, and this is usually the reason. It can happen due to an "event" but this is less likely.

They are often sore when they are forming, there will be heat and some swelling. After a few weeks it should settle down and soundness should return, they rarely cause long term issues.

What soft tissue damage are you referring to?

 

[Ranyhyn]

She has been sound since I've had her (8months or so) she came in from the field very lame on her near fore. But as discussed with vet the sidebone didn't come on overnight making her lame, so we suspect during a hooley round the field she's landed on some compacted redgra/stone dust lump which was found balled up in her hoof that night. Thus causing the damage.

She is now with a new farrier who is doing well with her and addressing poor balance of her feet etc. I am still in two minds about going barefoot with her now, but I'll talk that through with farrier.

 

[Andalucian]

I doubt the hooley was the cause of sidebone, horses are all terrain vehicles after all, they're built to cope with lumps and bumps in their path.

Did the side bone coincide with the change of farrier? Not saying he's caused it, but the change in balance may have done.

 

[Ranyhyn]

No no sorry Im not making myself clear, what Im saying is the sidebone must have always been there therefore not causing lameness, the st injury is what is causing the lameness.

New farrier came afterwards.

 

[Andalucian]

Oh, I see. Then its just a matter of time to let the sidebone settle down. Feel it daily, when it becomes cold consistently you should be starting to see the horse become more comfortable.

 

[moorman]

I would defiantly talk it over with your farrier.
Side bone in the early to mid stages can be reabsorbed as it is mainly due to the vascular process in the caudal 1/3 of the foot (right amount of blood getting to the area)
If a shod horse is landing heel first then I am afraid that the shoes can add to the problem, you can tell this by looking at the underside of the shoe when it is taken off.
If the heels are very shinny and have a worn area on them, think long and hard about putting the same thing back on.
If you do try barefoot even for a short time I think you will notice the heels are able to expand and contract to help absorb the concussion plus this will increase the flow of blood to the area.
If you decide to carry on shoeing, then your farrier may well want to look at shoeing in a way that will relieve the pressure on the heels, and allow a little more movement in that area.

 

[amandap]

If a shod horse is landing heel first then I am afraid that the shoes can add to the problem, you can tell this by looking at the underside of the shoe when it is taken off.
If the heels are very shinny and have a worn area on them, think long and hard about putting the same thing back on.

I hope you don't mind me barging in on your thread op but all hoof stuff is connected and I am intrigued by Moorman's post.

Moorman, I'm interested in this comment.How should a shoe look wear wise?Also, I have noticed my laminitis prone pony tends to land excessively heel first when she is getting sore/earlyish in an acute attack. It almost looks like she is landing on her heel bulbs, is this similar to the shoe wear effect you describe above? How should shod horses land? I know zip about shoes.

 

[amandap]

Thank you very much for taking the time to explain that moorman. Much appreciated.
My brain tends to go a bit all over the place trying to make sense.