I'd like to get your thoughts on these x rays, vet found nothing, but I'm not so sure in his findings. I see a couple things and thought I would see if someone else would see what I am seeing or if I am wrong before I say something. I've already ruffled some feathers!! The horse was hauled to Indiana from NC about 2 months ago, grade 3 lame on all 4. We have the hind end lameness resolved and now narrowed down to the front. LF more noticeable lameness, worse going to the right and gets worse after 10-15 min of lunging.( I told her not to lunge him) An abcess was found in the LF, they have been treating it for the past 2 weeks, horse is still off in the LF.
LOL!!! TB/Appy cross 17 hands and wears an 0, supposedly was bred for a pleasure horse, now they have decided to make an eventer out of him.
I'm looking more in the navicular bone and p-1 (I know the beams not focused there) These are the only three shots, I may see if I can get a better DP and a skyline.
The first thing I thought when I saw the first picture is "waw that's a big navicular bone, is it having an argument with P3 ??
what I have notice is the where the DIP is.....there seems to be a point..??? and above it??? anyone else????
You've called the problem and the rads bear it out. Some of us old timers call/called it 'hoof bound' and the remodeling of p3 that is present bears that out. The remodeling of the wing of p3 and the [apparent]conformation issues, have caused remodeling at the distal medial end/side of p2. I don't see ringbone, but I do see narrowed joint spaces at the PIPJ and particularly at the DIPJ, p3 bone resorbtion(?)/ loss on one side, the beginnings of side bone. Since the HPA appears to be somewhat broken back, the front of the DIPJ is rather closed and the back of the joint is more open which may be causing some inflammation/pain and does expose the back of the joint, the back of p3 and the navicular bone to more direct trauma from, in particular, p2 when the limb loads/is loaded. IMO, trying to turn this horse into an eventer is on the same level as trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.........
I disagree with nearly every thing you have said. The x-rays are useless for anything. Dont confuse static with dynamic and if that foot is on a block then that will be the reason for all you have quoted. It is not oblique and its over exposed. I wouldnt want to of payed for them.
To see dynamic x-rays you just need a research vet who doesnt worry about health and safety . the foot is on a small block, you can see the edges of it on all the x-rays, I have yet to see a horse load a leg properly on one. They all look broken back on them. This joint spacing is my reference to dynamic, if you hold a horses foot unloaded the joints can be manipulated in many different directions, that will allow the apparent view of uneven joint spaces, if the leg is elevated and not fully weight bearing and subject to postural sway it will appear to have uneven spaces. If the x-ray machine is not truly oblique it will give the impression of uneven joint spaces. If you pick up the other hoof, the joint space will rapidly even up! As you know Rick in the dynamic state the order the joint surfaces load will sometimes be not uniform if conformation is challenged or the capsule is out of balance. The collateral ligaments take the strain through the medial lateral loading if its not even, as does the flex in the capsule. I think the palmer angle is good, and the dorsal wall is nicely parallel to P3, doesn't suggest to me that this horse has on going broken back issues. The bit I agree on is some of the bone changes but fairly insignificant in my book. On the sky line view there is a shadow on the lateral wing, Im guessing that might be the site of the infection. I do believe that these feet that are two small for the horse, when they get an inflammatory problem or infection, due to blood supply isuues take a lot longer to recuperate. Hey but what do we know.
What we don't know is whether or not the other hoof is also on a block of equal height. In the absence of additional information, we can only go by what is presented. Thus, we make assumptions based on our own experience(s). For the views presented, wouldn't you want the beam to be perpendicular rather than oblique? See what I mean about assumptions? You have assumed that the horse is not standing on blocks of equal height while I am assuming that he is...... Thus, "It Depends" is in play.... The point being...? I agree with you as regards the palmer angle and the spatial orientation of P3 and the dorsal wall. However, neither of those things, in and of themselves, show/support the conclusion that the horse doesn't have broken back HPA issues, especially when the rads indicate otherwise. The asymmetry/bone loss of one side of P3 and P2 is insignificant to you? Interesting.. You, guess? Heaven forfend! Well, one thing I know is that a 300 pound rooster is a lot of cock .......
somebody has bitten off more than they can chew and it aint David , keep trawling the computer for a response , personal experience wont work here
if it is lame in all 4......then I would see if this horse has been bitten by a deer tick; and has contracted lyme's disease. rule that out first; then proceed with caution on the shoeing. I got Lyme's last year; was bitten by the deer tick; didn't know it; got very sick last December.
I think Linda nailed this one. If you look at the lower right corner of the top rad, you can see the deer tick laying on the block after just falling off the bulb of the foot.
