Ringbone and Sidebone Problems Explained

Although these two types of conditions are often referred to be the one in the same, they are actually quite different. Let’s start with how they are similar. They both affect the foot of the horse and both are a calcification of the bones or the joint area of the feet. That is about where the similarities do end. How they are different now comes into play. In most cases “Ringbone” is a condition that can appear at the top of the hoof, in the area of the hairline, and is usually caused from an injury, excessive concussion and can be from improper conformation. It can happen due to an injury, excessive shock and concussion, it is a natural occurrence in older horses and in some cases some horses have a tendency to inherent the condition.