Sidebone

Hello Horseforum,

I have a nine-year-old Thoroughbred cross gelding who was bred at home and gently brought along to be my event horse. However, I've been told [although I can't verify it or trust my source; it's a long story] that he's developing sidebone in his front feet.

There are several issues with this, namely that a. I can't even be sure that it's true, given that the horse is not in my care, and b. It may be due to improper shoeing or even outright sabotage, as this horse used to have great feet [again, long story].
My main question is, as my horse has never been lame on this in his life, what are the odds that he will become lame?
Also, if he does in fact have sidebone, especially if it has been caused by improper shoeing, are there ways to help ameliorate the problem or even stop it?

And, could I still jump or even event this horse, with proper maintenance and common sense?
If for any reason he can't be a jumper, he would be a nice therapeutic riding
Or trail horse instead. I just really hope he can still event, because he just
Lights up when he goes on course! [He has the scope and mind to be a great
Training or Prelim level packer, and I don't plan to campaign him hard.]

I can provide more details if necessary, just want to keep it simple for now.
Thanks for your input!

- K. And Peter J. Horseface

I would definitely have a vet come out and do xrays and ultrasounds if possible. I wouldn't do anything with the horse until a final analasys is made by a DMV Veterinarian.

Good call.

Like I said, as far as I've been told, the horse is fine and not lame. I'm not in the same state as he is right now [long story], so I can't verify anything yet.

However, I have read that most horses are fine even with mild sidebone, and some can continue to compete. As long as I'm careful with him, which I plan to be, I assume he will be fine for riding in the future.

Sidebone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I wouldn't assume anything. I wouldn't take what the Wikipedia has to say to heart either since anyone can manipulate the words.

I would turn to, and only to - and Equine Veterinarian.

I woudln't do anything, until proper xrays or ultrasounds are taken to determine where your horse is physically before put to work for competition.

Eventing is a very demanding, very strenous sport that even the healthiest horses can break down from.

I wouldn't chance it until my horse was fully examined a DMV professional.

I'm not going to do anything with him now because I can't. I'm not even in the same state. If I bring the horse to be with me, it will have to be fast and on the fly, for another person, and I will have to tell whoever brings him what to expect.
I suppose I ought to just advertise him as a therapeutic riding horse, because I know he'll be good at that anyway.

And yeah, I've evented seriously for eight years, it's pretty strenuous.

I agree with MIE, only a vet and x-rays can make the call on that diagnosis. Good luck and I hope this is not the case.

So obviously you know to call the vet before doing anything.

Sidebone occurs when cartilage in the coffin turns into bone. Its a gradual process and doesnt cause lameness unless the sidebones get hella big or one breaks. Therefore, this can cause lameness.

I'd get him checked out by the vet and then decide what to advertise him as. Don't sign him off as just a theraputic horse if he can event, you'll get much more money and he can enjoy what he's doing :) I don't know your situation though, it sounds bad. I hope everything ends up ok.