sprung ribs?

L

lula

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 August 2011
Messages
1,113
Visit site
yes, i could probably google this but thought you knowledgable lot could probably help me more.

so, been offered an ex chaser on loan, noticed a bulge on either flank and on enquiry was told he had sprung ribs.

what is this, is it a conformation genetic fault or something caused?

apparently one rib has 'sprung' out but as ribs are bone not entirely sure how this occurs or why?

does it affect the work the horse will be capable of ?(didnt seem to affect his racing career has only been retired as too highly handicappped)

and could it affect insurance or use in future?

many thanks any one who can help with this
 
Sorry I have no idea as have never come across it before, but bumping for you. Maybe worth posting in the veterinary section?
 
I have not heard of a sprung rib as in one that has detached or anything but a horse can have 'too sprung' ribs which is the opposite of 'slab sided', a well sprung rib cage is a good thing normally but too far the other way and it can interfere with the stifles. Can you see the ribs from the back?

What are you planning to do with the horse?
 
thanks girls.

yes will post in vet section, actually will google too and should have by now.

Pretty sure im not going to take horse anyway Mandwhy but interested in this 'phenomenon' as never come across it before.

Horse is big, 17.2, 'rangy', high withered, short coupled type TB but is 'barrel chested' hence last rib 'sprung out' as a youngster (as i was told by trainer) so assuming this caused by conformation fault, but as i mentioned, he has chased successfully so doesnt seem to have caused any problems with performance.

almost looked like a hernia with a slight bulge on each side.

will do some research, just curious really. wondered if anyone else has a horse with this 'condition/fault' !
 
Last edited:
I am intrigued also!

I think the type I am talking about means the horse needs to be worked in a rounded fashion to build the right muscles and prevent the stifle interference but obviously that wouldn't have been the case with racing!

I think it is common in Arabs as they are so wide and being short in the back adds a further issue with the stifle being nearer.
 
well that's interesting, i can find very little on the subject on the interent (at a very quick scan) aprt from 'well sprung ribs' being used in the context you girls are referring to as a good point.

i did find this passage tho on an american site referring to a sprung rib vaguely as a possible cause of pain in bucking/rearing...

will search further when i get home. Entirely possible ofc. the trainer who told me this didnt know what she was talking about but horse definitely had noticeable bulges on each flank so something going on there.

odd.

This principle can help locate the source of bucking and rearing problems. With this horse the neck would be the first place I'd look. I'd be pretty much willing to bet this horse has cervical vertebrae that are out of alignment. Since she has been over numerous times and even "stepping off a 8' edge of bank backwards down into a hole on her back" I also suspect she has numerous other injuries that may go undetected...sprung ribs (rotated rib cage even), scapula dislocations, thoracic & lumbar subluxations, sacrum problems.
 
Gloi said:
It is a term for a subluxation (partial dislocation) of a rib.
Have a look here http://wheredoesmyhorsehurt.com/rib-checkup.html

(I once did it when I fell off and landed on a rock :( )
Click to expand...

That's it!

Thank you Gloi, interesting read.

think i'll be leaving that one then, especially as i was wanting something to retrain to do dressage under the RoR scheme, cant imagine he'd enjoy bending much.
Apparently this horse has been racing for years with this injury.. I assume reasonably successfully.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top