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 Ringbone is actually a term to describe progressive osteoarthritis (arthritis) of the lower pastern and/or coffin joint. The arthritis forms as a result of inflammation within the joint. The body attempts to reduce the stimulus to inflammation by holding the joint still, and it does this by increasing the fibrous tissue around the jount, and then forming a bony bridge between the two bones. This condition is often seen in older horses, especially those with an athletic lifestyle.
Symptoms
Ultimately, ringbone will end in lameness for your horse. This may or may not be the first sign you observe.
Other symptoms include:
- Small spur, calcification, enlargement may be felt or be visible on the front of the joint/coronary band
- Initial brief intermittent swelling, progressing to firm, cool swelling
- In some rare cases the joint may evetually seize, which should in theory result in the lameness ceasing. The seized joint may not be noticeable walking around, but running around you may notice a stiff gait, though this varies with each individual horse.
 Diagnosis
The above may make your vet lean towards a diagnosis of ringbone, but to confirm their suspicions a more thorough examination is required. This would involve a full lameness work-up.
To properly diagnose ringbone, xrays would be required. The xrays would show the extent of the bony changes in the joint and will also confirm when and if bony union has occured.
To ensure ringbone is the cause of your horse's lameness, nerve blocks may also be required.
Treatment
Unfortunately, as for many other forms of arthritis, there is no definative cure. Where the horse is sore, palliative treatment (pain relief) may be administered by your vet. Usual arthritis treatments may provide some relief (such as pentosan etc). In some instances your vet may reccommend the case for joint-seizure surgery (known as arthrodesis), but this is usually expensive and success depends on individual factors.
Prognosis
In the short term your horse may be able to be ridden with or without painrelief, but as this is a degenerative condition, the long term prognosis is poor, and lameness will usually worsen. If your horse is a good candidate for surgery this may provide a better outlook.
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Written by Dr Kylie Schaaf (hons) BSc (Vet) (hons) FANCVS (Eq Surgery) Board Certified Surgeon
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 “Tying up” is a complicated condition that is not yet completely understood. It involves damage to the skeletal muscle (rhabdomyolysis) and the horse becomes stiff, painful, often sweating and reluctant to move. The heart rate and respiratory rates are often elevated and the horse often appears distressed. The gluteal muscles and loins are extremely painful to palpate. Red-brown urine is also commonly passed (myoglobinuria) and this is due to muscle breakdown products being excreted by the kidneys. These signs are usually seen within a couple of hours of exercise.
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Written by Dr Kylie Schaaf (hons) BSc (Vet) (hons) FANCVS (Eq Surgery) Board Certified Surgeon
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 Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is due to a fungal skin infection (dermatophyte) rather than worms. The fungal species responsible are Microsporum and Trichophyton spp. This disease is highly contagious between horses with young horses, geriatric horses, debilitated and immunocompromised horses being the most severely affected. Usually the whole stable is infected.
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Written by Dr Kylie Schaaf (hons) BSc (Vet) (hons) FANCVS (Eq Surgery) Board Certified Surgeon
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Horses are affected by two species of lice, the sucking louse (Haematopinus asini) and the biting louse (Damalinia equi). Horse sucking lice are the more common louse species infesting horses. The adult lice lay their eggs on the horse hair, which hatch into nymphs in approximately 1 week. It takes approximately 3 weeks before the nymphs mature into adults. Nymphs appear as a smaller version of adult lice and feed on the horse the same way as the adults do. Sucking lice are usually found in the mane, forelock, tail base and around the coronary bands. Biting lice are usually found on the body, mainly the backline, head, neck and flanks. Severe infestations may involve the whole body and can even be serious enough to result in anaemia. The lice are easily visualized in heavy infestations, lighter infestations can be more tricky to identify. It is important to quickly lift up or part the mane hair or forelock as lice quickly move away from the exposed area. The horse biting louse is approximately 3mm long, reddish-brown in colour, with a yellow and brown striped abdomen. The horse sucking louse is just under 3mm long and is grey coloured with a broad abdomen and narrow head.
Lice feed on sloughed skin, hair, and skin secretions. This causes a stark, roughened coat, skin irritation, itching and self mutilation. There is usually significant hair loss due to the horse rubbing and scratching. Infection is predominantly in winter and spring as long winter coats and lack of rugging and grooming predispose horses to infestation. Lice are spread between horses through direct physical contact, or indirectly through grooming equipment or tack, or the environment. Lice can only survive a few days in the environment, as they need to feed from horses to survive. Horses that are old, in poor condition or immune-compromised are more susceptible to infection. Lice are species specific and therefore humans and other animals can not be infected with horse lice.
Lice are usually readily controlled with insecticides, however, it is important to also address underlying predisposing factors such as poor body condition. All horses should be treated and re-examined in 2 weeks to check that newly hatched lice are not developing. It is also important that contaminated gear is treated and equipment is not used for this period, as lice do not survive in the environment. There is a pour-on treatment available for horses. Care should be taken if the skin is significantly broken or irritated as severe inflammation can result. Horses should be checked again 1-2 months after application as this treatment works by retarding the growth of the developing lice rather than by a direct kill. Cattle or sheep pour-on medications are not recommended for horses as they can result in severe inflammation.
 Horses are affected by two species of lice, the sucking louse (Haematopinus asini) and the biting louse (Damalinia equi). Horse sucking lice are the more common louse species infesting horses. The adult lice lay their eggs on the horse hair, which hatch into nymphs in approximately 1 week.
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