Is there any cure for side bone in horses? Can you ride the horse? Are there any special shoe jobs you can do?

I am looking at this horse because the mare is the mother to my gelding. She is currently a broodmare. Is there any hope for this mare. Thank You

Is there any cure for side bone in horses? Can you ride the horse? Are there any special shoe jobs you can do?
just to let you know sidebone isn%26#039;t the same as ring bone contrary to your first answer. this condition is defined as the laying down of calcium (ossification) in the cartilage wings of the pedal bone. this is caused by increased concussive forces on the back of the pedal bone which will predispose to sidebone formation and is a result of poor or delayed shoeing andlong periods of work on hard surfaces.





I would get the vet out there to look at the horse. if sidebone is the causing lameness grooving the hoof will allow the foot to expand and relieve pain if the sides of the hoof are putting pressure on the ossification. otherwise rest and treatment with NSAIDs is probably the best course of action. the key to not developing lameness in these horses is to keep them trimmed and keep lots of room for heel expansion.





I would get the vet to x-ray the horse so you can see if it really is side bone and if so how much ossification there is. If the horse is in no apparent pain then I wouldn%26#039;t see any reason not to ride her but make sure to get the vet to look at her before you buy her just to make sure you are buying a healthy and sound horse.


good luck!
Reply:It depends how close the ringbone is to the joint, how advanced and if it%26#039;s high or low ringbone. You can still ride them but there isn%26#039;t a cure, just management. I would advise that you get a good vet to evaluate her first and take some plates to see what is going on in there. A good farrier can help her and balance the foot and use corrective shoes to relieve pressure but apart from that and using bute, the only other thing that you can have done is arthrodesis which is when they fuse the two pastern bones which makes the joint more stable. If the ringbone is not near or on the actual joint, that%26#039;s far better but horses with ringbone are prone to arthritis in the joint. I wouldn%26#039;t automatically exclude her as a purchase but I would want to see x rays of those joints first and then discuss it with your vet. Some horses are quite ridable and don%26#039;t go lame but it all depends on extent and location.





The coffin or pedal bone area is affected by both ringbone and sidebone, sidebone involving cartiledge and ringbone, the actual bones and joints from the coffin bone to the pasterns. Both are partly caused by concussion among other factors including upright confirmation and boxy feet. Sidebone rarely caused lameness issues that can be pinned to that one reason where as ringbone can. The advice remains the same, x ray the feet and discuss with yout vet and have them evaluate the level of soundness.



FISH