What is the outcome for horses with ringbone.

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wattamus

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As title says really, my horse was diagnosed with high ringbone 3 months ago and had a steroid injection and has almost finished her three months of box rest. However there is no improvement in her lameness. I am obviously getting the vet out in the near future, however i just wanted to ask, what happens to horses with ringbone, do they deteriorate and have to be put down due to the pain or can they live for a long time after they have been diagnosed.
I know this is quite a depressing post but im so stressed and upset about this, she's had a crappy three months (she's the type of horse that lives off exercise and company, because she has been on box rest she hasn't socialized with any horses in three months) and i cant see a light at the end of the tunnel for her, can anyone help? :(

Thanks
 
Hi. My husbands horse was intermittently lame for a while we gave her some time off and she was still lame. We took her to the vets for nerve blocks and xrays and she was diagnosed with degenerative changes to her coffin joints and pasterns (high and low ringbone). Ringbone is like arthritis it won't get better but can be managed.
Kelsi had steroid injections into her coffin joints but unfortunately they haven't worked. She is now on one bute a day and is sound. I am surprised that your horse has had such a prolonged peroid of box rest, as we have been told that it is best to keep the joints moving. Kelsi is on a joint supplement and bute and we have been told that we can build her back up to full work. We are mainly happy hackers and don't jump her so she doesn't really do anything too strenuous anyway.
If she gets worse she will be retired and be a field ornament.
 
Sorry didn't make the treatment clear, she was on strict box rest for a month then has been allowed out in a small paddock (small enough so she cant throw herself around in it) for the next two months :) The vet said she could be a light hack but i just cant see it at the moment with her being this lame thanks for the reply :)
 
Well I think it depends on the owner!!! If you are a practical sort of person who doesn't think that it is a crime worse than murder to have a horse that is not 100% sound then just give her some bute and carry on with steady work. (Assuming she is not hopping lame of course) Obviously don't hammer her on hard ground, and expect it to be worse on hard, rutty ground but it needn't be the end of the world. My 19 yo has had it for years if I worried about him being not 100% would have been put down years ago. He is now getting fit for hunting. Is he 100% sound no. Is he happy in his work yes. Is my vet happy with what I am doing...100% yes.
 
Our horse is 14 years old and the vet says it is fine to ride her on bute, she is 100% sound on one bute a day and very happy. Am still surprised that your horse was on box rest and in a small paddock. Kelsi had two days box rest and we were then told to resume with light work.
The vet also said that if the injections had worked they can repeat them, unfortunately they didn't work for us. As Ditchjumper2 has said we are careful with working her on hard ground.
 
Ditchjumper2 said:
Well I think it depends on the owner!!! If you are a practical sort of person who doesn't think that it is a crime worse than murder to have a horse that is not 100% sound then just give her some bute and carry on with steady work. (Assuming she is not hopping lame of course) Obviously don't hammer her on hard ground, and expect it to be worse on hard, rutty ground but it needn't be the end of the world. My 19 yo has had it for years if I worried about him being not 100% would have been put down years ago. He is now getting fit for hunting. Is he 100% sound no. Is he happy in his work yes. Is my vet happy with what I am doing...100% yes.
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This is the conclusion I'm coming to.

My horse was diagnosed with high articular ringbone this year and I'm slowing learning how to manage it. With the right regime (ie, one that suits him which is coming in for a period each day to lie down/rest because he won't lie down in the field), regular exercise, Natural Balance shoes and currently 1 sachet of Danilon a day, he is the happiest he's been in a long time. He does all sorts (schools, poles, DR, hacks, hopefully going to hunt him again this season) though no longer jumps, and is currently bouncing all over the place.

It isn't going to go away but it can be managed. This year he had had Tildren and Adequan which have helped as well as the above. He has good days and the odd stiff day, but thankfully mostly good. On good days we can do a respectable DR test and on the stiff days, we just hack because he is better kept moving. I don't know how long he'll stay sound for (16 now and a big horse with dodgy joints) but as long as he's happy and enjoying his work, we'll keep going.
 
My husband's old (then 17)HW hunter was diagnosed with high articular ringbone in his near hind 5 years ago. He had steroid into the joint, and we put him on high dose Danilon and joint supplement Riaflex Complete - and worked him. Farrier shod him with raised heels and rolled toes (to help break-over,) After 5 weeks, we were able to reduce the Danilon gradually - to one a day and he's stayed hunting sound (not HARD hunting - but quite long days).

Last week I took him back to 3 Counties to be x-rayed again. There was quite a lot of deterioration in the joint compared to the views of 5 years ago (understandably). He had another steroid injection into the joint - and advice was to keep doing what we were doing. Key points: he is never completely 'rested' - even during the summer he hacks out 5-6 times a week. Vet says retirement will be unlikely to be an option - he'd sieze up completely. We might have to bump his Danilon up to 2 a day during the season - or even 3 (he's a BIG horse). He has a large (12 x 20) stable with soft EVA mats to encourage him to lie down and rest (some old, stiff horses don't lie down much - they struggle to get up!)

He'll probably only do another season (he IS 23) and then he might be able to pootle around for a year after that - as long as we keep him working. Then it will be PTS time (and I really dread THAT - he's a grand old man!) But eventually, the joint will 'collapse' (ie - the surfaces will meet and start grinding into each other!) So there IS hope (but not with rest!!)
 
My horse has recently been diagnosed at the age of 11, he's slightly lame on a straight line. He had the steroid injections yesterday, I've been told 48 hrs box rest then bring him back into work. It's early days for me so I'm not sure what the outcome will be, but my vet is confident I'll have a good few years with him yet. I'm only a happy hacker so hopefully I'll be able to continue. No painkillers needed at the moment but if I have to I will hive them to him to keep him happy. He is on a joint supplement and I also give him devils claw. My vet also said no trotting on the roads and be careful on hard ground, but the more exercise the better.
 
Mac's ringbone was diagnosed 5 years ago when he was 9. He is still hacked 5/6 days a weeks, does a couple of fun rides a year, and may even go hunting with my friend a couple of times this year. He is not 100% sound and is on a bute every other day. I up his bute as when necessary. He is very happy in his work and loves what he does. He is out 24/7 in summer, out all day, in at night in winter.
 
Ringbone is essentially arthritis - so yes it is degenerative.

My mare was diagnosed at 16 with low non articular ringbone - and was initially very lame. After a period of box rest and injections she was turned away and I actually made the decision to retire her.

She did actually become field sound - and I wish I'd got back on her because she would have been more than up to quietly hacking.
 
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OneInAMillion said:
My friend has a horse with high ringbone. He is 12 years old and is competing at 2* and advanced BE so don't write them off!
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oneinamillion...your post has made my day. having just had my eventer diagnosed with ringbone...I was beginning to think we'd never get between the red and white flags again. I have been desperately searching for a person who is managing this condition in eventing. Do you know if they have any tips??! x

Sorry for hijacking! :)
 
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