What does it mean when a horse has ringbone?

“Ringbone” is the term for the bony overgrowth (exostosis) that develops on or around the pastern bones in the wake of injury and/or inflammation. The overgrowth can be articular—affecting the joint—or develop on the side of a pastern bone, often where the ligaments attach.

How serious is ringbone in horses?

Ringbone is a lameness condition that affects the pastern and coffin joints in horses. This is a degenerative disease that continues to worsen over time. The right treatment and ongoing management, though, can slow the progression of the condition. Ringbone causes an enlargement around the affected joint.

Is ringbone a death sentence?

While ringbone was once an almost certain death sentence for horses, today there are many options: NSAIDs, joint injections and even surgery. Depending on the type of ringbone, and where it is in its progression, affected horses can continue happy, even productive lives.

Can you still ride a horse with ringbone?

The pastern joint is a low-motion joint when compared to the high-motion coffin joint, allowing for an increased likelihood that a horse with high ringbone could still be ridden after joint fusion. But there are no guarantees. “It’s a pretty frustrating and difficult-to-treat problem,” said Barrett.

What can you do for a horse with ringbone?

IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein), PRP (platelet-rich plasma), and stem cell therapy are on the horizon for treating ringbone. Shockwave therapy has been used to treat ringbone as well. In many cases of high ringbone, the bony proliferation may eventually cause the pastern joint to fuse.

What do I do if my horse has a ringbone?

Do horses with ringbone need shoes?

Allen says corrective shoeing can often help horses affected by ringbone. “I always start with a good base trim. Then I prefer to put shoes on the horse, so I can control the hoof wear. If the horse is lame, he probably needs shoes to control the wear and to influence the way the foot breaks over and moves.