Update: Laminitis and Abscesses and Ringbone-- AHHH!!

[Calvincrowe]

See my last post for a full update-- Short story- Farrier trimmed and discovered evidence of bilateral hind laminitis and a abscess in lame foot. He feels right now (and he’s a Journeyman farrier who works with my vet practice) it’s the abscess causing he lameness. Vet appointment in one week.

My 22 year old, retired Paint gelding was recently diagnosed with bilateral hind high ringbone. He’s been on and off lame, which we initially thought was abscesses. He goes sound, then very sore and back again. Vet is taking a cautious approach to treatment with supplements for joints, and Bute as needed.

I have no experience with ringbone and would love to hear your experiences and treatment plans. He is awful about medicating, Bute has to be given with a pill gun—no powders, or pastes are tolerated. Thanks for any advice to keep him comfortable.

[Calvincrowe]

No one? Is this thing on?

[tipzythegreat]

A mare at my barn had off and on lameness. They x-rayed and found ringbone in one of her front limbs I believe it was.

They did 3 sessions of shockwave and she’s been lame since, kept in regular work.

Can you try shockwave? It’s expensive, but I’ve seen some good results… and I know how it goes trying to bute!

[BayBondGirl]

My 19 year old has high ringbone and we just finished our summer eventing season, so be aware that every horse is different in their stoicism, response to treatment, etc. Mine is very stoic and loves her job to pieces, so with the lameness specialist’s blessing we will continue to have fun within her limits until she lets me know she’s no longer able or interested. I do have a feeling that she might be ready to taper down though, or at least maintain our level instead of pushing for the next one.

I first became aware of it 2 years ago when she kept coming up with on/off lameness at a previous boarding barn, so we had x-rays done and confirmed the ringbone. Her episodes were due to the hard-packed footing of the arena at a new barn which was just a crusher dust base; we’d never had a lameness issue prior to moving to this barn. I had to move her somewhere with softer (or normal) footing and she’s been sound ever since. Flare ups occasionally happen if we are working on hard ground (long stretches of pavement during our hunting, etc).

Mobility is our best friend, so I keep her as strong and fit as possible and do lots of long walks during our off season and as much daily turn out as possible. Lots of dressage and hacking all year round, as little jumping as possible.

She used to get Previcox just during full training in the summers on days with heavier workloads, but recently I’ve started providing it on riding days as she had a flare up a couple of weeks ago. TBH I don’t notice any difference with the Previcox, but it makes me feel better to offer it. Bute mixed with olive oil syringed into her mouth after show days/weekends. Fenwick pastern wraps (jury’s still out if they’re effective, but BoT stuff has helped my arthritis immensely!) and BoT-knockoff wraps for show days. I pull shoes for the winter but am re-evaluating that this year in case she needs them back on.

Mine hated the syringe but I insisted because she won’t eat the powder if it’s added to her grain. Over time she has learned to get over it, and I always follow it up with a bucket of treats for her to wash it down with. Curious as to how your horse responds as you say he won’t “tolerate” them?

I gave Adequan injections last summer although didn’t notice much of a difference. This winter I’m looking at Legend injections and going to get some green lipped mussel powder to try as well.

Also a low sugar diet, sufficient vit/min and flax for anti-inflammatory properties

[Sk25eq]

My mare who is mentioned in a post above has ringbone and I did sessions of shock wave for her and they worked wonderfully. She is kept In walk trot canter work and other than some recent stiffness from her stifle area which is completely unrelated to her ring bone, she’s been sound In her front legs ever since I’ve done the shockwave treatment. She’s a 23 year old partially retired Canadian warmblood. Shock wave is pricey but I liked this option over sticking needles in through the joints. If there is a less invasive way I’d prefer to take that route.

[charreit]

Agree with all the above, I’ve managed my girls ringbone for 5+ years & have been able to keep her sound for low level eventing. If possible, I’m of the opinion to keep them moving & strong.

Lots of turnout and long walks before & after work on good footing. I even do just complete rides at the walk, doing lateral work, etc. Dressage also. I do jump but try to limit. Working with a farrier who know what they are doing has helped immensely also.

For supplements - I use Omega Alpha Anti Flam & I began Adequan injections last year also. She’s on an organic diet & home grown hay, so low anti inflammatory properties.
I do have Previcox also that I’ll give after a 2 day clinic or show to help.
I use Back on Track also

Good luck!

[Calvincrowe]

Thank you for all the replies sharing your experiences. This came very suddenly, so I’ve been trying to figure it out (abscess? navicular? broken pastern? I’ve had all those thoughts!) First episode was in late August. Since he’s retired and no longer ridden, I am mostly interested in pain management at this point. He is starting on Smartflex Senior as soon as it arrives. He’s on 2 bute for this latest three-legged lame episode-- he goes sound, then horribly lame, then sound again. The bute is barely touching it, so I’m really worried this time. Vet call today. She’s taking a very cautious approach, but he’s miserable.

[Arlomine]

I wish I had something positive to add, but the experiences I’ve had have not resulted in sound horses. At this age, I would do whatever I could to just keep him relatively comfortable. Good luck!

[Calvincrowe]

Arlo-definitely just looking for comfort not soundness! He’s a doll, and so easy to care for…other than the suspicion of all things medicinal! Watching him hop around, three legged lame behind is awful for me. Ugh!

[Postandrails]

While I admit that I don’t have a lot of experience with it, I haven’t come across a horse before who was suddenly 3 legged lame from recently diagnosed high ringbone. Have others here experienced this?

I’m not surprised that you and your vet were suspicious of abscesses. I’m just wondering if there is more going on than the ringbone alone? You said bilateral, but is the severe lameness always on the same hind leg?

[BayBondGirl]

@Postandrails

While I admit that I don’t have a lot of experience with it, I haven’t come across a horse before who was suddenly 3 legged lame from recently diagnosed high ringbone. Have others here experienced this?

Nor I, although every horse is going to be its own unique case. Unless there’s some moment of trauma, it doesn’t usually happen “suddenly”, and because this horse is retired there wouldn’t be any extreme changes in exercise to cause a flare up I would imagine. Unless horse is out with others and being chased, or the herd is spooking and he runs with them?

[asterix]

Also I’d try adding Surpass…

[Calvincrowe]

Well, interesting update: farrier out today to trim. His hinds are showing signs of a bout of mild laminitis but not currently. He found an abscess in the toe area where the evidence of laminitis was. I’m in full freak out mode, but working the plan. Vet and farrier agree he is not in acute stage, X-rays ASAP, and his lameness is abscess related. The way he moves, the no change with bute, the evidence farrier uncovered all point that way. Yes he’s been tested for Cushings, yes he’s an easy keeper, yes he’s already on a Cushings diet. Sigh. I feel awful that I didn’t see any signs of laminitis episode. Vet said I might not have as it’s most likely mild. But no founder is “nothing”. This is scary and I feel stupid.

[Postandrails]

That makes much more sense than ringbone causing it. Take heart - this is good news! Mild laminitis and abscessing suggest that you will hopefully get him sound again soon. Severe lameness from ringbone is much harder to deal with and much more of a downward spiral.

If the laminitis is in the hind feet only, I would doubt that it is diet related. We normally identify laminitis with metabolic issues, but laminitis just means inflammation. It is more likely that it is a side effect of the abscess or has been caused by less than ideal hoof form, concussion etc.

Could your farrier see a potential cause?

[Postandrails]

That makes much more sense than ringbone causing it. Take heart - this is good news! Mild laminitis and abscessing suggest that you will hopefully get him sound again soon. Severe lameness from ringbone is much harder to deal with and much more of a downward spiral.

If the laminitis is in the hind feet only (and especially if it is one hoof), I would doubt that it is diet related. We normally identify laminitis with metabolic issues, but laminitis just means inflammation. It is more likely that it is a side effect of the abscess or has been caused by less than ideal hoof form, concussion etc.

Could your farrier see a potential cause?

Are you happy with the way his hind feet look? Can you post hoof pics? Whilst it’s not a given, ringbone, abscessing and laminitis in the hind feet would make me suspicious that his trim could be improved.

[tipzythegreat]

Don’t feel stupid!

These things creep on and are especially hard to catch in a retired horse. You’re obviously willing to do whatever you can for him, so I think you’ll get him comfortable enough to remain content and retired

Good luck! Keep us updated.

[Calvincrowe]

He has great feet according to my excellent farrier-- he’s managed him for 11 years now. He has typical Paint conformation (though he’s half TB), so a little upright in all pasterns, with BIG slightly flat feet. Fat Boy-- aren’t Air Ferns a pain in the butt??!-- undoubtedly has metabolic changes. He lives with an older gelding with Cushings so they are both on a low sugar/carb diet but obviously, it’s time to really tighten that down with him. No pasture for sure! (Though to be honest, he doesn’t get much of that…darn easy keepers!!).

I feel better actually, now that Mr. Farrier has figured it out. He was pretty grim when he took that first pare and saw the evidence at the toe of the “bad” hind then the ooze from a spot started and he grabbed the hoof testers for both hinds. A tiny bit of paring and he opened a small abscess, but feels there are more or this one is bigger than we know. Horse is still eating and drinking well, lying down and getting up normally (not down for any more than his usual nighttime). Banging on his door for his “snack” of low carb beet pulp “cookie” at night check, and hanging out next to his big buddy at night, licking him through the fence. This old man has seen me through a lot and we’ve been excellent show partners from hunters to the jumper ring where he finally got to be his real self.

As soon as I get a break from class, which is around 11:30, I am calling the vet’s office to share what we found out as it was too late after farrier was working to do so last night. Should I call a different vet if I can’t get one out or wait until next Friday when mine is scheduled to come out? My week at work next week is pure insanity with two 12 hour days (conference week at a middle school) and no real way to take time off…but I can if I need to. Thoughts?