Would you buy a horse with ringbone?

[findeight]

I usually say pass on these things and will here.

It is a 7 year old that has had it’s feet neglected and who knows what other bad care. No way to know if the bad hoof care caused the ringbone or not but I vote no on that one. More likely genetic or conformationally related…I have seen alot of bad hoof care and rehabbed a few, some with continuing issues. None developed ringbone, even the one with the “elf slippers”. And, yes, 7 is young for ringbone from any wear and tear causes like older horses develop.

Once you get ringbone, you cannot make it go back. You can do pain management, shoe/trim to alleviate any discomfort and restrict the workload. But it is there forever.

All the management costs money-and a decent work up to evaluate the true extent of the problem to decide what management is best is not worth it on a $250 horse.

Buy this one and disappoint yourself plus risk breaking your children’s hearts when they cannot use her.

[system]

@hoofrx1;3642540

NO!!!

Very eloquently stated Rick:cool:
I agree!!!

[findeight]

@HezaKeeper;3642426

This mare has over $2500 worth of professional training on her, is a smooth ride, and best of all has a great head on her shoulders. She is perfect in every way besides the ringbone.

Missed that. Now you know why she is only $250, ringbone. It DOES effect even light use.

[HezaKeeper]

Ok I have more info. I thought it was on a front leg but its on her hind, and is high ringbone. (upper pastern) and her vet says it is nonarticular. I’ve ridden her 3x now and she hasn’t taken one lame zstep…took her on a trail and gaited her for quite awhile today. She didn’t react to any of my flexing, poking, or prodding. However I’m still having my vet look at her…we have a 3pm appointment today to go over the radiographs and to do a basic lameness exam. Thank you for all your WONDERFUL advice. This mare truly is amazing, I smile the entire time I am on her. I was even able to lead my son around on her today (felt comfortable enough) and she is just so patient and so awesome! If I can keep her comfortable and ride her, great. If I can’t ride her she can be a retired companion to my OTHER retired horse. If she eventually progresses to be in too much pain to live a comfortable life, she will be euthanized. I am seriously considering her for my family, and if I do bring her home it will be with a lifetime, dedicated, SERIOUS commitment to her well being. I wouldn’t have it any less.

[HezaKeeper]

Ok I missed a couple of posts while I was replying. In reply to having my children’s hearts broken, my children are very very young. The horse is tp be mainly for a companion to my other older gelding, and possibly some light walk trail riding with me (when I get the time!) and leading my kids around on her at a walk. My son is young, my daughter won’t be sitting on a horse for a few more years. So when I say for my children as well…well its really as an afterthought, so they can have the occasional pony ride while out at the barn with mom. I will ultimately trust my vet’s opinion as each case seems to be individual and a great variability on the extent of the ringbone etc. But it seems from what my friend’s vet said, that she has the “best” type of ringbone possible (if there is a “best” type). I feel if I am realistic as to my expectations of this horse and the possibility of what could happen (being retired to pasture and pain management, or eventually euthanasia), then there is no harm in bringing her home. At least I will go in with eyes wide open and all the information. Once again, thanks for your input!

[JB]

High, non-articular is indeed the best ringbone to have, if you’re gonna have ringbone.

I certainly am not trying to make my posts sound like “go for it, it’ll be fine!” because that would be giving false hope.

But sometimes, when you find THE horse, for the type of use you intend, you take high, non-articular ringbone and go “bummer, but ya know, she’s just perfect.” You seem to understand the limitations and are willing and ABLE to let her live whatever life the issue determines, whenever that may be.

It really is your decision in the end, and you’ve certainly gotten both sides here NOT all ringone is a death sentence. Low, or articular, and even I would have said, sadly, pass, no questions asked.

[draftgirl01]

Get your vet to look at the xrays and go from there. My mare (an ex field hunter) was diagnosed with high and low ringbone and when I had my new vet look at the xrays she does not see that at all in them. I have her shod with a rounded toe and set back shoe so her break over is quicker because of the first diagnosis, but it works for her so I don’t change it.

[Sanity_Rules]

IMNSHO …

[B]If everyone only bought sound horses, then what would happen to the ones that aren’t sound? And we complain every day that that are too many horses in this country … gee, I wonder why?!

If someone has the compassion and the means to take care of a horse that is not sound, THEN LET HER DO IT, FOR PETE’S SAKE !!! :eek::eek::yes::yes::eek::eek:[/B]

[Fharoah]

It is too heart breaking when they go lame. Some can be managed for years some will be lame no matter what you try. Are you willing to buy her knowing that she could go lame at any time?

[Cherry]

If everyone only bought sound horses, then what would happen to the ones that aren’t sound?

Then they would ultimately be disposed of, in one way or another.

It wasn’t clear if this person knew what he/she was getting into. Having been around the block more than a time or two I felt obligated to voice my opinion to keep the OP from thinking that this condition is somehow easily remedied. Yes, the horse could be sound for a period of time but chances are it won’t be when he/she wants to ride it.

I have all the compassion in the world but compassion only goes so far–it won’t make something right that is clearly a downhill proposition. Again, it didn’t sound as if the person asking knew what he/she was getting into and we were trying to spare him/her from certain heartache.

It’s one thing if you own an animal for a year or two (or more) and a problem arises. It’s another to buy a problem from someone else when there are decidedly many, many, many healthy, sound horses out there to pick from! :eek: Obviously we have not influenced his/her decision in any way… :uhoh:

[Brockstables]

No, I would not! I have taken in two rescues with it, and it was a very expensive experience.

[Rick_Burten]

[QUOTE=Sanity Rules;3643480]
[B]If everyone only bought sound horses, then what would happen to the ones that aren’t sound? And we complain every day that that are too many horses in this country … gee, I wonder why?!

If someone has the compassion and the means to take care of a horse that is not sound, THEN LET HER DO IT, FOR PETE’S SAKE !!! :eek::eek::yes::yes::eek::eek:[/B][/QUOTE]

Seems to me that the OP asked a question and said question was answered. I fail to see why you have gotten all wadded up over this.

[Old_Equine_Lady]

Normally I would never tell someone to buy a horse with issues, such as ringbone, but one sentence made me think of my old Warmblood, “I had a smile on my face the whole time I was riding!” I had my guy for over 12 years, with ringbone the entire time and he tried his best for me. He only went lame in the last 3 years of his life, but for the 9 I got to ride him, we had the best time in our lives!

[stuge]

[QUOTE=Sanity Rules;3643480]
[B]If everyone only bought sound horses, then what would happen to the ones that aren’t sound? And we complain every day that that are too many horses in this country … gee, I wonder why?!

If someone has the compassion and the means to take care of a horse that is not sound, THEN LET HER DO IT, FOR PETE’S SAKE !!! :eek::eek::yes::yes::eek::eek:[/B][/QUOTE]

My goodness, the OP asked for advice and it was given. The OP is free to do whatever she chooses, no one is going to force her one way or the other.

[Tom_Stovall]

HezaKeeper in gray, stuff deleted

I have more info. I thought it was on a front leg but its on her hind, and is high ringbone. (upper pastern) and her vet says it is nonarticular.

A sho’nuff packer for $250? Go for it! High, periarticular ringbone is often asymptomatic and would not be a cause of concern to me if I were in your shoes.

I haven’t read the entire thread, so I apologize if I missed this: Is the ringbone bilateral or unilateral? If it’s unilateral and associated with a scar, I’d bet a little she never takes a lame step if all she ever does is pack your urchins.

[LouLove]

My mare has High Non-Articular

And has had since she was 10. She is now 17. Everything else has bothered her except for the ringbone.

We shoe with bars in the hind - roll the toe. I am wondering if she is lame because of the 8 hour trail ride? Not sure if she was fit-ready for this? This is a pretty long ride for a mare that may not be used to it - ringbone or not.

Regardless:

1. Always do long warm-ups with her and increase her fitness steadily - the more muscle the more protection for her compromised joints.

2)Put her on Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM supplement

I think a horse like her would be best in your offered situation. No pressure to work…some loving and the odd ride. If you wanted a competition or steady lesson mount, then no, don’t buy. But for a pleasure horse that can have days off when she’s not right…sounds like a good deal to me :).

[HezaKeeper]

Well to make a long story short: My vet gave me the go ahead. She doesn’t think the lameness was at all related to the very mild case of ringbone she has in the one leg. She flexed fine on all four legs, and passed the lameness exam with flying colors.

So she is in my pasture right now :winkgrin: She is sooo sweet and I am so in love. I just hand grazed her in the front yard for an hour last night, she settled right in. She has met my gelding and they’ve hit it off. He is in awe of her and so happy to have a pasture companion! I’m dying to ride her but am going to give her a day or two to settle in out of old habit, not that I think she needs it. Then I’m going to walk her down to the lake and see how she does. She got peppermints last night…she loves them!

Thanks for all of your input, it really helped me be objective about the situation and I feel a lot better making the purchase going in with all of your opinions as well as my vet’s of course! Thanks!

[JB]

That’s awesome! It sounds like she will be WELL loved for a long time Now where are the pictures?

[SquishTheBunny]

I guess I disagree with others…but if she is the right one for you, then get her. IF you can afford to retire her when needed (meaning, are you willing to keep a pasture ornament?).

My dressage coach’s TB had ringbone at a younger age, and although stiff when he was older, he was fine for walking trail rides til the ripe old age of 26. He could not comfortably canter, and could only do short periods of trot.

One of my horses had low non-articular ringbone, sold him to the mounted police as a school horse for their new riders. 10 years later still going sound…

I think if you KNOW the horse has this problem, then you can manage it. Light riding, lots of walking, trotting. No jumping. Swimming would be great.

Also, if its not articular, you could have years and years and years and years of soundness ahead of you. If it is articular you are reallly doing to have to see how long she will last. Adequan may help slightly, but the cost of that would be more than the mare herself.

[HezaKeeper]

I’ll get better pictures later but here are the few I snapped of her yesterday (and yes, I took her halter off after the photo session!). I plan on getting on her and taking her on a trail ride today. I’m excited!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x53/ransomtb/NOV102008004.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x53/ransomtb/NOV102008005.jpg