I am looking at an ottb with an osselet on one ankle. Does anyone have a horse that is older that had osselets earlier in life? Any issues with the ankle? Or is this just something to avoid?
I have an OTTB who I got when he was 7. He had raced 42 times up until that point with osselets on his hind legs and I’ve now competed through prelim without him ever taking a lame step until last fall when he did a front check ligament. I can’t say when he formed them, but he’s 14 now and has come back to almost full work a year later.
When I had him vetted, the vet, who was also a top TB vet, wasn’t concerned about his osselets.
If you’re concerned, I’d have it X-rayed.
I’m not a TB expert, but that’s just been my experience so far!
I always have them x-rayed and make the decision based on the x-rays. Current guy has very mild osselets that are rounded and completely unremarkable on x-ray. I’ve had him 3 years and just moved him up to prelim. No issues (except his horrible feet although we’ve got that under control now as well).
Thanks a lot!
Yes, mine has several. He raced for 3 years, retired sound. I got him at age 6 in 2011. He’s been eventing for the three years I’ve owned him, moved up to T last fall, no problems. Well, not with the ankles, he’s just suicidal, heh!
My OTTB has osselets. No chips in the joints. Never had an issue w/ them. I’ve had him for 17 years, he’s 24 now.
I second what everyone else is saying. Get him x-rayed then make your decision. Good luck! 
Also have a prelim horse with 30 track starts and an osslet on one side.
Agree with others urging x-ray though. Often they are no big deal, but a variety of chips/injuries/changes can be characterized as osslets, by trainers who don’t know a horse’s full history, or volunteer listers who just notice some rounding.
Yes to x-rays…certainly not a deal breaker. FYI, Mary Hazzard’s Cavalistic has two and went on to compete at the WC in eventing in 1978.
+1 get the x-rays to look for arthritic changes inside the joint. Extra-articular bone deposition is no big deal unless it is so severe that fetlock range of motion is adversely affected. Also check for lameness on the affected limbs, of course. If the horse is sound and does not have fetlock arthritis, this will not be a problem for you.
Depends on where the osselet is. If it is in a joint, I would pass. Another question to ask is “Why osselets”? Conformation problems can exascerbate the problem. What will that conformation fault mean to you in the use of the horse (i.e. upright pasterns)?
I just found this site and I love how it gives an explanation, treatment and prognosis for leg injuries.
http://www.horseadoption.com/common-racing-injuries/
Depends on where they are. If they are “old and cold” and he raced after, I would get some x rays to confirm suitability as a sport horse. If he retired on them, not so much.
