How Do I Help My Mare With a Low Ringbone?

Equine veterinarians diagnose low ringbone as new bone growth that occurs on the second phalanx -- or short pastern bone -- in the area that meets the end of the third phalanx -- or coffin bone -- just above a horse's hoof. Caused by trauma or conformational faults that strain the ligaments or the joint capsules in the foot, it makes horses commonly present with lamenesses, tissue heat, inflammation and pain in the affected area. Early treatment of this disorder -- called plalangeal exostosis -- can save your mare from lameness and pain, and may allow it to return to its athletic endeavors.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket of ice water
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • Light cast or Robert Jones bandage
  • Stall
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Instructions

  1. Acute Phase

    • 1

      Place your mare's affected foot into a bucket of ice water for 20 minutes three times a day to reduce initial pain and inflammation. You can hose the limb with cold water for the same amount of time if your horse refuses to stand still in the bucket.

    • 2

      Dose your horse with 1 to 2 g of phenylbutazone or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication daily for one to two weeks depending on your veterinarian's recommendation. NSAIDS -- as they are commonly called -- reduce the inflammation and pain of ringbone.

    • 3

      Allow your veterinarian to install a light cast or a Robert Jones bandage on your mare's leg from just below the knee to the hoof to stabilize the affected joints. Most equine vets recommend that the bandage or cast remain on the leg for four to six weeks.

    • 4

      Keep your mare in its stall while its leg is casted or bandaged. This rest allows the inflammation to diminish and reduces stress on the involved joints.

    • 5

      Begin hand walking your mare two to three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes once the bandage is removed to increase circulation within the tissues and speed healing. Check with your veterinarian before beginning any physical therapy, and increase the amount of physical activity as your vet recommends.

    • 6

      Consider extracorporeal shockwave therapy -- ESWT -- for your mare. This new treatment involves sending shockwaves directly to the site of the new bone growth and breaking it up to be removed surgically later. ESWT proves most effective for horses with less severe cases of ringbone, often allowing them to return to regular exercise.

    Later Stages

    • 7

      Permit your veterinarian to inject corticosteroids or the synthetic joint fluid hyaluronic acid into the joint and joint capsule to replenish decreasing joint fluid, delay damage to the joint surface and slow the progression of the disease.

    • 8

      Ask your farrier to trim your mare's feet so that the toe is shortened and the hoof is level from side to side. This decreases the stress on the pastern joint by allowing the leg to roll over the front of the hoof more quickly. Installing roller-motion shoes on your mare reduces tissue trauma and aids in management of the disorder.

    • 9

      Discuss surgical fusing of the involved joints -- called arthrodesis -- with your veterinarian. By surgically implanting various pins and plates, the vet stabilizes the deteriorating joints and stops the worsening of the disease. Your mare will need a light cast and months of stall rest before returning to light exercise, if that is at all possible.

    • 10

      Consult with your vet about performing a neurectomy on your mare's pastern joint. The surgical removal of the nerves -- or the parts of the nerves -- surrounding the ringbone blocks the pain associated with the disease. Your mare may be able to return to light work after the surgery.