Experience with Stone Bruises?

[BoyleHeightsKid]

@Gatorade

Thanks. I have also been talking to someone with a lot of experience with OTTB’s on nutrition for feet. So, at the very least, it sounds like biotin and flax for nutrition could help coupled with proper shoeing. Appreciate all of the responses. It’s hard to just sit and stress, waiting for the vet to come. 1 more day. Part of me is sort of hoping when they take the pads off, they see signs that is actually an abscess after all and it can be drained and treated. But it’s also 2020 so who knows what the outcome will be.

Biotin is great for improving the quality of the hoof wall… copper and zinc are important for a strong laminar connection… so a hoof supplement such as California Trace/+ , Vermont Blend, KIS Trace, Hay Harmony are all great additions to diet. They all have high levels of copper and zinc and no added iron. Something you won’t find in popular hoof supplements like farriers formula.

[Gatorade]

Well, the vet visit took a very unexpected turn. They were seeing right hind end issues, whereas he had been sore on his right front. So, it seems like the pads are doing their job, he just has more than one issue going on. He is a possible purchase, and is otherwise great, so it wasn’t a great day (you know, great except for the whole sound thing, which happens to at the top of my list of requirements). Vet actually wants him worked more and is going to come back. Sigh.

[kashmere]

Oh, that’s frustrating, OP! Not uncommon though, in my experience, that we often don’t see hind end issues until they manifest in the front from compensatory movement or posture. Interesting that the vet wants the horse worked more - did they say what they were thinking of in terms of potential Dx for the hind end?

[Gatorade]

Possibly arthritis in fetlock, so arguably could be managed. Due to fires, he had had two months off prior to coming to me. But with stone bruise (I mean, the farrier didn’t make up his reaction to the hoof testers, it was there!), it was stuck in our head it was right front so he got even more time off, pulled out to ride and check a few times a week. So, while I think he’s cute, he is not terribly muscled and vet wants to see if he gets worse or better with more work - we really like him otherwise, so the vet I think is trying to work with us and see if we can make him serviceably sound. He also kept catching his stifle, which seemed totally new.

[Gardenhorse]

@Gatorade

Possibly arthritis in fetlock, so arguably could be managed. Due to fires, he had had two months off prior to coming to me. But with stone bruise (I mean, the farrier didn’t make up his reaction to the hoof testers, it was there!), it was stuck in our head it was right front so he got even more time off, pulled out to ride and check a few times a week. So, while I think he’s cute, he is not terribly muscled and vet wants to see if he gets worse or better with more work - we really like him otherwise, so the vet I think is trying to work with us and see if we can make him serviceably sound. He also kept catching his stifle, which seemed totally new.

I’m sorry, OP. That must be really frustrating. A potential stone bruise is one thing, but unspecified hind end lameness is another. I would strongly encourage you to walk away. It’s hard enough to deal with lameness when you already own the horse, don’t buy trouble.