What every young horse owner should know (and why not to panic!)

Has your vet mentioned that your pony might have ‘sidebone’? If so, you might be feeling worried or confused about what this means. The good news is that sidebone is much more common – and usually much less serious – than many horse owners think! Here’s everything you need to know about this condition, explained in a way that makes sense.

What is sidebone?

To understand sidebone, we first need to learn about your horse’s amazing feet! Inside each hoof, there are special pieces of soft, flexible material called collateral cartilages. You can think of them like natural shock absorbers – kind of like the springs in a trampoline!

These cartilages sit just above the heel area of your horse’s foot, and you can actually feel them if you press gently above the hoof on either side. In a healthy foot, they feel slightly squishy and flexible.

Sidebone happens when these soft cartilages gradually become harder and more bone-like. It’s a bit like how a soft sponge might dry out and become stiff. The fancy name for this process is ‘mineralisation,’ but basically it just means the cartilages are getting harder.

Why does this happen?

Several things can make a horse more likely to develop sidebone:

Heavy landings: Horses that do a lot of jumping put extra force on their front feet.
Poor hoof balance: When hooves aren’t trimmed or shod properly, it can create uneven pressure.
Breed differences: Heavier horse breeds tend to get sidebone more often.
Age: Older horses are more likely to develop it, just like how our joints can get stiffer as we age.
Injuries: Direct trauma to the foot area can sometimes trigger it.

The important truth about sidebone

Here’s the really important thing that many people don’t know: most horses with sidebone are not lame and can continue their normal activities!

Vets tell us that sidebone is incredibly common, especially in older horses, and many horses live perfectly normal, comfortable lives with it. It’s more common in front feet because they carry more weight, but that doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem.

Think of it like this: some people wear glasses, but they can still do everything they want to do. Sidebone is often similar – it’s just a change in the foot structure that doesn’t necessarily cause problems.

How do vets diagnose sidebone?

If your vet suspects sidebone, they’ll check your horse in several ways:

Physical examination: The vet will feel around your horse’s feet, checking if the cartilages feel harder than normal and looking for any swelling.

X-rays: These special pictures can show if the cartilages have become bony. Often both front feet are x-rayed to compare them.

Lameness tests: If your horse is limping, the vet will try to figure out whether the sidebone is actually causing the problem or if something else is going on.

What happens if my horse has sidebone?

If your horse is diagnosed with sidebone, the first thing to remember is: don’t panic! Many horses with sidebone continue their regular riding activities without any problems.

If your horse is showing signs of discomfort, the most important treatment is usually good farrier work. Your farrier might:

Use special shoes that support the heel area better.
Make sure the feet are perfectly balanced.
Use wider shoes that give more support.
Be extra careful about nail placement.

The amazing thing is that often, just improving the farrier work makes any lameness disappear!

What this means for you and your horse

If your horse is diagnosed with sidebone:

Stay calm! This is a very manageable condition.
Work with your farrier: Good foot care is the most important treatment.
Monitor your horse: Watch for any changes in how they move.
Continue normal activities: Unless your vet says otherwise, most horses can keep doing what they love.
Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to talk to your vet about any concerns.

Prevention tips

While you can’t prevent all cases of sidebone, you can help reduce the risk:

Keep up with regular farrier visits.
Make sure your horse’s feet are properly balanced.
Provide good footing in paddocks and arenas.
Don’t overwork young horses.
Address any lameness issues promptly.

The bottom line

Sidebone might sound scary, but it’s really just one of those things that can happen to horses as they age or work. The most important thing to remember is that it’s usually very manageable with good care.

Many successful competition horses have sidebone and continue to perform at high levels. With proper farrier care and monitoring, your horse can likely continue to do everything they’ve always done.

Remember: a diagnosis of sidebone isn’t the end of the world – it’s just information that helps you take the best possible care of your horse!