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Discussion on Old coffin bone fracture with bony proliferation around the coffin joint
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New Member:
anahhh
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Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 2:13 am:
Greetings! I just rescued a 10 year old quarter horse mare with a coffin bone injury. The first vet thought she just had a healing abscess.. wrong! I have learned my lesson to always get radiographs before committing to a horse 
She is really lovely though so I am hoping for some hope and good advice in terms of treatment.
Right now she is on 1 -2 gm of bute a day and just walking and turn outs. In the soft arena she presents as alllllmost sound - to sound (w/t/c) on a good day. Some days she is sound at the walk even on harder ground.
I am new to this forum and not sure if I am doing this right but I really appreciate any advice!
Here is her Radiograph:
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 6:46 pm:
Hi Anah, Horses do have a way of teaching us lessons don't they. I'll be interested in what Dr. O says about this radiograph. Hope he chimes in soon. It looks as if there is some rotation, or at least the trim is a bit off. Notice how the front of the coffin bone bottom surface (palmar) is lower than the back by a few degrees?
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New Member:
anahhh
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Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 7:05 pm:
Yes, I noticed that too.. I WISH I had some history on her! The other thing I forgot to mention is she did have a strange "pyramid" shaped foot. Kind of a peak down the front from coronet band all the way down. She actually has it on both feet. She was also barefoot with ridiculously long toes, white line separation and a bit of white line disease in the problem foot.
That part is looking better. The Farrier recommended half round shoes (commonly used on performance horses) to help her break over easier and put less stress on the joints. She has looked a touch more comfortable after that but each day is totally different. She is also in a really comfy stall full of shavings and her first step out is ouchy then she seems to walk out of it... ??
Kind of at a loss here and hoping for some good perspectives. I am open to ALL possible treatments, surgery, laser, etc etc. as well as "put her out to pasture".
Thanks for responding Julie!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 2:26 pm:
Welcome Anah,
I suspect this started as a avulsion fracture on the extensor process. It is hard to give advice without knowing what your goals are but from a soundness standpoint, it is hard to imagine that any horse with the above lesions will ever remain riding sound for any time. The osteoarthritis in the coffin joint is just too remarkable.
DrO
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New Member:
anahhh
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Posted on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 2:34 pm:
Hi there,
thank you for your input! As far as my goals are for her I would just like her to be able to comfortably be ridden at the walk on level ground. I will be purchasing another horse as my riding horse and would like to breed Shasta as she has many wonderful qualities that will likely be passed on to her foal.
Today in the turn out(with soft ground) she presented as 98% sound at the trot even to the right (its her right front that is affected). this is with her on a gram of bute per day though. SO, I guess my question is.. is it bad to keep her on bute? Is it possible that even just her moving around on her own (she cantered around a bit) will make this worse?
Thank you!
Anah
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New Member:
anahhh
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Posted on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 3:07 pm:
also, I know this is kind of controversial, but what are your thoughts on "nerving". and do you think that would help her?
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - 10:39 am:
my 2 cents ... as i have a crippled horse with similar issues .... nerving will give you some use of the horse and will also speed up the crippling issues as well ... . my horse is shod every 4-5 weeks to keep him balanced .. when he is out of balance he becomes more sore ... he is ridden by kids teaching them , if he is to sore on a given day he is loved on and put back out to pasture ... my farrier says the reason he is going as well as he is today is becus i do not push him to do more than he is capable of doing ... good luck ... i know you frustration as this horse was to be my FEI horse ..... stuff happens ..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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New Member:
anahhh
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Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - 2:42 pm:
Yes, That is what I thought. I am coming to terms with her just being a walking horse. She is a bit too sensitive (and too athletic for her own good) for beginners so I will be working with her on that. Then she will make a really lovely walking only first riding experience for beginners.
Thanks for your input!
Anah
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 6:36 pm:
Hello Anah,
You can find my overall thoughts about nerving at HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Neurectomy and Nerving: A Farriers View. I did not write this article but support its perspective.
In the case of the horse in the radiographs above I would not recommend a posterior digital neurectomy. Neurectomy is best reserved for cases when imaging indicates structures that appear healthy and functional and there are no obvious problems that will become progressive with use. I do not believe that is the case with your horse.
DrO
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