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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 12, 2009 16:23:54 GMT -5
I have the opportunity to get a horse, he is a ranch horse, heeling horse, big, quiet, and sweet, but he has ring bone starting.
how manageable is that? will he be ridable?
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Post by Tate on Apr 12, 2009 16:53:23 GMT -5
As you know, I have a mare with ringbone, and had all the xrays and evalutions done. If the horse has high ringbone it's manageable and the horse can be sound with proper shoeing. Low ringbone is the worst of two evils if its in the joint it progresses and is extremely painful for the horse.
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Post by shelberttk2 on Apr 12, 2009 23:16:58 GMT -5
Is the ringbone in the front or back? As Tate said above, depending on whether or not it is high or low is a biggie. If it is NOT in the joint, it will eventually fuse and the horse can be used for LIGHT riding. A Tablespoon of MSM a day will help manage pain and help it fuse. Also, do not feed any glucosamines, as it will hinder the fusing process. Chip has high ringbone in the back, not in the joint. He is fusing, I have had 3 sets of Xrays done. I have had him for almost 3 years though, and he is still not sound. His prognosis is good, but he will never be able to be used for more than light riding. Also, it is like having a little fracture....whenever he plays and runs, he will tweak the fuse and be lame for a few days (Though movement is good--do not keep them in a small pen). Another thing you can do for pain, is Furacin and DMSO painted on the area daily. It helps with pain and swelling. Keeping the horse balanced with good trims is also helpful, I have chip done every 8 weeks on the dot.
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Apr 12, 2009 23:23:53 GMT -5
It depends on what you want to do with this horse- and where the ringbone is - as well as truely how far progressed he is. I suggest some x-rays and a vet recommenation on this one. If you are planning ot do regular riding on anything other than a soft, arena type footing - this guy would not be a good choice whether it is high or low ring bone. google ringbone - there are alot of thoughts on it. With high ringbone, eventually the joint will fuse and be pain free, BUT once it is fused the joint will be fixed and the horse will not be as sure footed - more prone to tripping and stumbling. Keeping the toe very well rounded with enough heal to keep the horse up right can help with that. With low ringbone - the joint is more mobile, which pretty much prevents the joint from fusing. It is progressive and extremely painful. Generally by the time you are SEEING outward changes with low ringbone, the horse is advanced enough that outside of a little walking on a flat surface with a light rider - they should be retired as a pasture pet only - in a flat pasture. Some people feel like you can inject the area to help relieve pain and give better longevity - but, in the end, the result is the same. SO- really think about what you want to accomplish with this horse, and, even if he is cheap/free - make sure you have x-rays that are done NOW - not a few months ago(changes can happen big time!) and get a good vets opinion  Sara in WA |
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Post by shelberttk2 on Apr 12, 2009 23:31:16 GMT -5
Interesting, I had 3 of the best Veterinarians in Oregon tell me not to have X-rays done for another year-year 1/2.....I had X-rays done 1 year ago. They also told me (2 different clinics) that one year was not enough time, but the prognosis was good. Also, said that flat work would be the best for Chip and light trail riding etc. He has high ringbone in the back though, if it's in the back the prognosis is much better.
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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 13, 2009 1:05:06 GMT -5
ok, had to decide fast... it was a free horse, and other than the ringbone sounded good...
QH, 8 years old, was a ranch horse, then for three years doing trails and roping (heeling)
big, 15.2 h and 1300 lb, and he is... huge hip, huge chest...
and a big sweet heart.
so, I'm going to see how he does.
he is barefooted and very long, but the feet look realatively good. nice sole.
nice frogs, a bit contracted in the heels.
not sore at first but after some big stops and roll backs in the round pen he was sore, but walked off ok....
handles like a ranch horse, all work, no fuss, no drama.
so... we shall see.
fingers crossed please!
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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 13, 2009 1:07:25 GMT -5
oh, and 'what will his job be'
I do trail riding but am a real weekend rider... so that is pretty easy riding and not too often, like once or twice a month,
then we do gymkhana, and I'd expect of him to go to a show every one to two weekends, and walk, trot and canter SLOWWWWWWLY, for six patterns and walk around toting my huge hiney in between just a bit, not a lot...
I don't canter the turns even, I'm a slow one... so mostly canter on the straightaway, and it's generally deep, soft footing.
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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 13, 2009 11:47:26 GMT -5
OK, so now I'm at what to do to keep this from getting any worse.
I think by looking this am, it is mostly his right front, and on the front, low. the hoof is misshapen there, so that must be it.
so, are shoes really better?
natural balance better?
a pad that is better?
and my biggest question.... why wouldn't a boot be better? way better cushioning...
and would casting the foot help?
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Post by Tate on Apr 13, 2009 12:59:28 GMT -5
My issues with Dixe are a lot like Shelberttk's horse, however Dixie is front right also. I wish she was in the back. I went with the barefoot trims/epic boots for 8 months with no success, I now use a corrective farrier with natural balance shoes and one pad on the affected leg, and just the shoe on the other and barefoot on back. I've done stall rest, you name it, she keeps fracturing the fuse sight. I keep her in a relatively smaller pasture and my vet and farrier say it can take about a year, surgery is an option were they fuse the area, but per my vet its not to successful. So for now, I keep her on smart tendon,msm,bl solution hoping to get a thick enough fusion. She is only 13 yrs old.
I spoke to a lot of farriers about ringbone before I chose the one I use, although I am a barefoot believer, most horses with this condition I believe need the shoes at least from my experience.
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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 13, 2009 13:57:27 GMT -5
OK,
that is great info tate,
I'm not opposed to shoes... if that is what works, then there you go.
I wonder if the casts (equicasts) would help?
they immobilize the foot even more than a shoe,
I don't see any info on that, but I might call them...
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Post by jenm on Apr 13, 2009 14:01:56 GMT -5
Hi Beth,
I posted this on BAEN, but am posting here to because it's a great resource. Go to Horseshoes.com, it's a forum for farriers and they have a section called "Farriers helping horse owners". There are some really experienced farriers that frequent the forum and they are incredibly helpful.
Good luck with this guy!
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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 13, 2009 16:57:29 GMT -5
Uh oh, it dawned on me just this am... I have to RIDE this huge horse who can stop BIG...
uh oh...
now what?
I wanna know if there are any 'special' cues that they use on ranch horses...?
I feel like I need lessons....
I skeered!
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Post by paintedlady on Apr 13, 2009 17:04:52 GMT -5
Uh oh, it dawned on me just this am... I have to RIDE this huge horse who can stop BIG... uh oh... now what? I wanna know if there are any 'special' cues that they use on ranch horses...? I feel like I need lessons.... I skeered! Dont worry !! I will ride behind you at the campout so I can just swoop down, pick you up if need be and we wont miss a step  |
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Apr 13, 2009 17:57:10 GMT -5
I would get some x-rays of the legs. Honestly - you need to know WHERE the ringbone is to provide adequate treatments. I agree- high ringbone in the BACK is the best case senario - you want to irritate the area by riding and whatnot and NOT give any joint products outside of a little msm to help with discomfort. The sooner it calcifies and fuses the sooner he will be pain free - so you don't want to do things to slow it. Low ringbone is different treatment all together though - you want to prolong things as much as possible. Doing Adequan IM injections 2x a month or more can be beneficial as well as high dose, very good quality joint products. Most people I know find the horses do much better in shoes where the toe is squared off, the heal is more upright and the toe is very well rounded, as well as the toe of the shoe is rounded and set back slightly. It helps the horse break over easier and takes some of the pressure off. As far as cues I spent my life riding very sensitive, and well trained ranch horses. The key? VERY VERY Loose reins - keep them long, and loose. Most ranch horses are used to riding in either a shank snaffel type bit or a shank curb with a low port. the key to both is very very light hands and neck reining. if you can't do that- put him in a western hackmore till you get the idea. Sit back on your bum rather than up on your crotch - and when you want to stop - shift your weight back slighly and roll your hips under while saying "Whoa" and you will STOP! lol. Sit relaxed always aand keep your legs off the horse unless you want specific actions. Take a few lessons from someone who does serious roping. They can teach you the leg cues you will need to know to not confuse your horse and not have you end up on the ground because he reacted swiftly to what he thought you wanted Biggest thing - don't pick at him - alot of riders pick pick pick pick and it ends up desensitizing the horse. Ask what you want of him and then drop it Take care, Sara |
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Post by shelberttk2 on Apr 13, 2009 18:06:06 GMT -5
OMG, Beth I am laughing!!!! Sara is correct, as mentioned above...stay off their mouth, ride with a light rein and only use leg when asking him to do something. When they stop, they STOP and when they are asked to go, they GO! Hang on and have fun! Let us know what the radiographs show, will be interesting what they show. Our horses are trained too, to turn on a dime. We say "Here" and they drop and bend.
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Post by frr2 on Apr 13, 2009 19:29:58 GMT -5
(I'm bringing my camera for the first ride!!!) LOL!
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Post by pnp4kidz on Apr 13, 2009 22:35:44 GMT -5
OMg.... I"m gonna get creamed by this horse...
he moves BIG...
sheesh what was I thinking???
I'm gonna go over his ears I just know it!
I always bobble forward!
I need lessons....
I got pics... downloading now, will update... with a video...
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Post by toeps on Apr 14, 2009 2:21:33 GMT -5
Never, NEVER look down ;D LMAO! He's gorgeous anyway!
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