Comments on: Sidebone Xrays http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/ A world of sound, healthy barefoot horses Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:41:50 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Christina http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7750 Christina Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:51:59 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7750 Hi Anne-Marie I personally have never encountered a horse that has an acute sudden onset of lameness that was caused by sidebone. This is a slow, gradual process that causes some inflammation but not really enough for that kind of pain. The time frame varies from horse to horse but usually is the range of months. The lameness sounds like almost anything else, especially an abscess or navicular or even ringbone, or even a coffin bone wing fracture. I can't tell whether removing his shoes will help or not without knowing and seeing more but it could depending on what the actual problem is. More important though is to get the hoof form and angles quite correct. And definitely get your vet out and get a diagnosis before deciding how to proceed. Hi Anne-Marie
I personally have never encountered a horse that has an acute sudden onset of lameness that was caused by sidebone. This is a slow, gradual process that causes some inflammation but not really enough for that kind of pain. The time frame varies from horse to horse but usually is the range of months. The lameness sounds like almost anything else, especially an abscess or navicular or even ringbone, or even a coffin bone wing fracture. I can’t tell whether removing his shoes will help or not without knowing and seeing more but it could depending on what the actual problem is. More important though is to get the hoof form and angles quite correct. And definitely get your vet out and get a diagnosis before deciding how to proceed.

]]> By: Anne-Marie http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7746 Anne-Marie Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:44:54 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7746 Hi Christina, I have an 8yr old quarter horse and believe he has sidebone but haven't had a vet do some x-rays yet. My horse became very lame 4 weeks ago and was on bute for 5 days. After the first five days he was still lame but better and now he doesn't seem to want to put pressure on that leg when he is standing. He is alway moving that front leg when he is standing as if he is trying to find a spot where there will be less pressure oh his hoof. I rode him for the first time after we noticed he was lame and was fine but the next day he was a little stiff. In the mean time, should I remove his shoes? How long is the process for the cartilages to ossify and turn into a boney substance? Thanks, Anne-Marie Hi Christina,

I have an 8yr old quarter horse and believe he has sidebone but haven’t had a vet do some x-rays yet. My horse became very lame 4 weeks ago and was on bute for 5 days. After the first five days he was still lame but better and now he doesn’t seem to want to put pressure on that leg when he is standing. He is alway moving that front leg when he is standing as if he is trying to find a spot where there will be less pressure oh his hoof. I rode him for the first time after we noticed he was lame and was fine but the next day he was a little stiff. In the mean time, should I remove his shoes? How long is the process for the cartilages to ossify and turn into a boney substance?
Thanks,
Anne-Marie

]]> By: Christina http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7675 Christina Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:37:11 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7675 Hi Ashleine, There is no joint where the sidebone is so in reality it is not 'fusing'. What it actually is, is the lateral cartilages ossifying and turning to a boney substance. Sidebone is not usually a cause for lameness, also I'm not familiar with Twydil and how a feed or supplement would help. The cause is usually contracted hoof form and/or excessive concussion on hard surfaces. Has she become sound otherwise, in the time between the rest period being over and the pointing starting? Given that sidebone isn't normally a cause for lameness, the fact that she has it in both front feet, but is only pointing one foot, I would say the pointing is an indication of something else. Is she currently shod? I am thinking that there is excessive bar material and/or contraction causing pressure points and the appearance (not the reality) of navicular. I would get a really top notch farrier/trimmer to check the trim. Also do the standard hoof tester procedures. Good luck. Hi Ashleine,
There is no joint where the sidebone is so in reality it is not ‘fusing’. What it actually is, is the lateral cartilages ossifying and turning to a boney substance.
Sidebone is not usually a cause for lameness, also I’m not familiar with Twydil and how a feed or supplement would help. The cause is usually contracted hoof form and/or excessive concussion on hard surfaces.
Has she become sound otherwise, in the time between the rest period being over and the pointing starting?
Given that sidebone isn’t normally a cause for lameness, the fact that she has it in both front feet, but is only pointing one foot, I would say the pointing is an indication of something else. Is she currently shod? I am thinking that there is excessive bar material and/or contraction causing pressure points and the appearance (not the reality) of navicular. I would get a really top notch farrier/trimmer to check the trim. Also do the standard hoof tester procedures.
Good luck.

]]> By: Ashleine http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7664 Ashleine Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:29:16 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-7664 Hi. My 7 year old mare developed side bone in both front feet a year ago. She was lame when ridden in our rubber school, more so when she was trotting corners. She had x-rays, was put on Twydil feed suppliment and given 6 months off (as instructed by her vet). The side bone has now fused in both fronts. Is there a possibility of her fracturing her side bone now it is fully fused? She also now points one of her front legs when resting in the field, this is something she never used to do before developing sidebone. is she in any discomfort? Yor comments and advice on this matter would be much appreciated. Thank you Hi. My 7 year old mare developed side bone in both front feet a year ago. She was lame when ridden in our rubber school, more so when she was trotting corners. She had x-rays, was put on Twydil feed suppliment and given 6 months off (as instructed by her vet). The side bone has now fused in both fronts. Is there a possibility of her fracturing her side bone now it is fully fused? She also now points one of her front legs when resting in the field, this is something she never used to do before developing sidebone. is she in any discomfort?

Yor comments and advice on this matter would be much appreciated.

Thank you

]]> By: joanne dewhust http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6924 joanne dewhust Sun, 24 May 2009 20:25:25 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6924 thanks for you advice - he is off to the vets for x rays on wednesday thanks thanks for you advice – he is off to the vets for x rays on wednesday thanks

]]> By: Christina http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6917 Christina Sat, 23 May 2009 23:17:02 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6917 Hi Joanne, Sorry to hear your horse is lame. This does not sound like sidebone, it sounds more like ringbone. Sidebone is further down the leg, right inside and right above the hoof capsule. And hard lumps often indicate the presence of ringbone. Boney changes is the catchall term for all these kinds of issues including both sidebone and ringbone. Also lameness from ringbone gets worse as the horse works more, rather than working itself out like navicular might. Most people will tell you it is irreversible but that has not been my experience - with correction of angles I have seen the lumps get smaller in diameter and the horse more comfortable. Reducing concussion by going barefoot also helps. The key to seriousness is whether it is articular or non-articular, and the only way to know is by the vet taking some xrays. Good luck. Hi Joanne,
Sorry to hear your horse is lame. This does not sound like sidebone, it sounds more like ringbone. Sidebone is further down the leg, right inside and right above the hoof capsule. And hard lumps often indicate the presence of ringbone. Boney changes is the catchall term for all these kinds of issues including both sidebone and ringbone. Also lameness from ringbone gets worse as the horse works more, rather than working itself out like navicular might. Most people will tell you it is irreversible but that has not been my experience – with correction of angles I have seen the lumps get smaller in diameter and the horse more comfortable. Reducing concussion by going barefoot also helps. The key to seriousness is whether it is articular or non-articular, and the only way to know is by the vet taking some xrays. Good luck.

]]> By: joanne dewhust http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6900 joanne dewhust Fri, 22 May 2009 19:12:14 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6900 HI I bought a horse in dec last year - until now he has been sound, 4 weeks ago whilst at a show he became lame mainly on corners where his outside fore was on the outside - i have rested the horse for 4 weeks since then i have troted him up inhand once a week- he may look sound on the first trot but then lame on the next and so on- but after week 1 the short strides he was taking on the corners had stopped but appears to take short strides occassionally on the straight - i noticed early on in the lamness 2 identical hard lumps just at the bottom of the pastern (but they could of been there all along !) - could this be side bone ?? any advice ps my farrier says it could be a bit of bony chage but i dont know if this is the same thing and how serious it is ? HI

I bought a horse in dec last year – until now he has been sound, 4 weeks ago whilst at a show he became lame mainly on corners where his outside fore was on the outside – i have rested the horse for 4 weeks since then i have troted him up inhand once a week- he may look sound on the first trot but then lame on the next and so on- but after week 1 the short strides he was taking on the corners had stopped but appears to take short strides occassionally on the straight – i noticed early on in the lamness 2 identical hard lumps just at the bottom of the pastern (but they could of been there all along !) – could this be side bone ?? any advice ps my farrier says it could be a bit of bony chage but i dont know if this is the same thing and how serious it is ?

]]> By: Lesley http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6384 Lesley Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:14:02 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6384 Hello, I have sent two lots of photos of Kantana's hind feet from various angles. On closer inspection I would say the off hind is wearing down unevenly. Chipping is not too bad. Look forward to your opinion. Best Regards, Lesley Hello,
I have sent two lots of photos of Kantana’s hind feet from various angles.
On closer inspection I would say the off hind is wearing down unevenly. Chipping is not too bad. Look forward to your opinion.
Best Regards,
Lesley

]]> By: Christina http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6356 Christina Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:35:31 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6356 Hi Lesley, Glad to hear the shoes are off and your mare is doing well without them. It's really hard to comment with any specificity at this point without actually seeing the feet. Often people who are used to seeing shod feet are surprised at how 'small' a correctly trimmed foot looks to them. Are her walls actually wearing off or are they chipping? Another issue when removing shoes is that the wall that has grown during the time she was shod is weaker and shellier so it will have a tendency to break and wear faster and more. Not until you have unshod growth hitting the ground will the walls be stronger. Finally, you can trim to encourage more growth by encouraging circulation. There are certain things you can do for that in the way you trim. If you would like more specific input you can send me pictures which I can mark up and discuss and post on the blog. Thanks. Christina Hi Lesley,
Glad to hear the shoes are off and your mare is doing well without them. It’s really hard to comment with any specificity at this point without actually seeing the feet. Often people who are used to seeing shod feet are surprised at how ’small’ a correctly trimmed foot looks to them. Are her walls actually wearing off or are they chipping? Another issue when removing shoes is that the wall that has grown during the time she was shod is weaker and shellier so it will have a tendency to break and wear faster and more. Not until you have unshod growth hitting the ground will the walls be stronger. Finally, you can trim to encourage more growth by encouraging circulation. There are certain things you can do for that in the way you trim. If you would like more specific input you can send me pictures which I can mark up and discuss and post on the blog. Thanks. Christina

]]> By: Lesley http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6355 Lesley Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:08:24 +0000 http://barefoothoofcare.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/sidebone-xrays/#comment-6355 Hello, Removing the shoes has created a huge improvement. Obviously she still has a tendency to rotate but it is much, much better. However, of course the hooves themselves are suffering and I am thinking I need hoof boots at least during riding out and working. Are there some you would particularly recommend, bearing in mind they should not "grip" too much or I will have the same problem of stressing the joints as with the normal horseshoes? The walls appear to be wearing down evenly ... but quickly! She is as from today back in her small herd and out for hours a day in a big field with poor grass. Thanks in advance. Lesley Hello,
Removing the shoes has created a huge improvement. Obviously she still has a tendency to rotate but it is much, much better. However, of course the hooves themselves are suffering and I am thinking I need hoof boots at least during riding out and working. Are there some you would particularly recommend, bearing in mind they should not “grip” too much or I will have the same problem of stressing the joints as with the normal horseshoes?
The walls appear to be wearing down evenly … but quickly!
She is as from today back in her small herd and out for hours a day in a big field with poor grass.
Thanks in advance.
Lesley

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