Ringbone?

[zeesmom]

There is a registered 10 year old Morgan for sale on craigslist that has ringbone. They are offering him for a very low price and I am a little concerned about his future.

Here is the text from the ad:

We paid over $2500 for this horse but he now has ringbone and is not reliable for trail riding - which makes him an affordable family horse instead. He can be ridden short distances and does great around the yard or pasture and the softer the riding surface the better. He is a 10 year old gelded chestnut about 14 hands high and is the beautiful classic Morgan. He will ride English or Western and is an easy keeper. He is our daughters horse but she does not have enough time to devote to him now that she is older. I can email pics.

I have not inquired yet - so I don't know the specifics on this horse. I know very little about ringbone- other than what I just read on the internet.

My question is this - has anybody dealt with ringbone? What is the prognosis for a horse with ringbone? I imagine that it depends but can the horse's pain be managed? Does corrective shoeing help?

Any input would be great. I feel for this guy.

Thanks

[shekaberry]

There are shoes/pads that can help ease the discomfort of ringbone. Terribly sad that he is only 10 years old.

[schwung]

It also depends on what type of ringbone - high or low. I forget which but one of the two is much worse than the other...but it is arthritis and therefore degenerative, so it can sometimes be managed to a point and after that the horse will need to be retired. Yes, corrective shoeing can help (Dobbin has both high and low ringbone - shoes with pads give him just enough support to ease the pressure on the arthritic joints and give him some comfort.)

[twhgal]

Lower ringbone is worse. Dollor has it and the vet looked at him and said, "It will probably fuse, but you'll never ride him." He offered no hope or advice and he specializes in lameness. However, I have had success with a poultice of comfrey leaves, arnica montana leaves and linseed oil. a magnetic bell boot and a natural balance trim. He is barely off now. Of course, with a TWH it is very noticable if they are off at all. I should try the shoes with pads.

[ponygirl]

Some kind of all-around breakover relief usually helps. Steward clogs, a double nail pad system, possibly half-rounds or a roller-motion shoe. Maybe a boot if you can rasp sufficient breakover medial-laterally into it. You have to reduce the range of motion in the pastern or coffin joint (whichever is afflicted).

Or you can fuse the joints surgically with plates or screws, but that's way out of my league and into vet territory.

I know this is a little late for the horse in question, but thought I'd throw it out there.