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  Discussion on Osselets
Author Message
New Member:
lghocelo

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 9:58 pm:

I know "osselets" is an obsolete/inexact terminology, but I am considering an OTTB mare, age 5, who has an old cold one. Her condition is what I believe you refer to in the article as "nonarticular bony enlargement of the pastern bones." The joints radiograph clean, but she banged the LF pastern and has some calcification at the front of the fetlock. She has not been lame since she has been off the track for a year, and was apparently still racing sound when her breeder bought her back and retired her. She has been turned out since leaving the track.

I understand from the article that the prognosis for continued soundness is unclear, and possibly good if the calcification does not affect the joints, but wondered if there is any more you could add?

Also she is currently undergoing shockwave treatments to reduce the size of the bony lesion. I know nothing about this process or its likely outcomes, and would welcome any info.

Cosmetically, do these things tend to reduce or grow over time?

I am considering the mare as a companion and riding horse, to do low level (up to 2nd/3rd) dressage and 3' adult hunters, with a very light show schedule and 3-4 days/week of riding on good footing and well groomed trails. I don't care about resale value, as the breeder would always take her back should I be unable to keep her for any reason, but I wanted to get as much information as possible about her condition before committing to bring her home.

Thank you!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 11, 2008 - 9:04 am:

I don't have any information on Shockwave on osslets so consider such treatment experimental. If the bony lesion was cold on the radiograph, that is there was no evidence of active bone remodeling, I would have been slow to recommend such treatment for fear of activating remodeling that might encompass the joint. But there is much I can only guess at so really cannot judge this course.
DrO
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