Ringbone and Sidebone

Back when the sound of heavy, steel-shod hooves rang out on cobblestone streets, every horse owner was familiar with the signs–heat, swelling, shortened or shuffling stride, and the bony ridges developing where all used to be smooth and sleek. Ringb
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Back when the sound of heavy, steel-shod hooves rang out on cobblestone streets, every horse owner was familiar with the signs–heat, swelling, shortened or shuffling stride, and the bony ridges developing where all used to be smooth and sleek. Ringbone and sidebone, two closely related orthopedic problems of the lower limbs, used to be considered almost inevitable hallmarks of the working harness horse, and they are still distressingly common in horses which deal with heavy-duty concussive forces and those with certain conformational problems. There are no miraculous cures for either condition, but like many other arthritic states, it's possible to manage ringbone and sidebone once you understand what you're dealing with.

The Riddle of Ringbone

Ringbone, or phalangeal exostosis, is actually a catch-all phrase for one syndrome that can occur in two different locations. In ringbone, calcification (the formation of excess mineral deposits, which eventually ossify or become bony) occurs on the pastern bones, interfering with joint function and flexibility. Depending on its location and the structures involved, it can be designated "high ringbone," "low ringbone‚" or "false ringbone."

High ringbone occurs when calcification accumulates where the long pastern bone, or P1, and the short pastern bone, P2, meet. The mineral deposits, which are the body's response to chronic inflammation, form a partial or complete ring around the bones at the joint, hence the name. Outwardly, ringbone becomes easily visible as a bony ridge about halfway down one or both pasterns of the forelegs. In its early stages, it might only be spotted on radiographs

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Written by:

Karen Briggs is the author of six books, including the recently updated Understanding Equine Nutrition as well as Understanding The Pony, both published by Eclipse Press. She’s written a few thousand articles on subjects ranging from guttural pouch infections to how to compost your manure. She is also a Canadian certified riding coach, an equine nutritionist, and works in media relations for the harness racing industry. She lives with her band of off-the-track Thoroughbreds on a farm near Guelph, Ontario, and dabbles in eventing.

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