Talk to me about Calcifications

[mandalea]

Ok, I have NO idea if I spelt it right, but there's no squiggly red line under it, so I must be fine.

Anyways, my pony mare had calcifications on the back of ALL of her fetlocks. They look like little horns, and there is one on either side.

What causes them, and is there any way to prevent them/ get rid of them?

I brought some boots to support her fetlocks, in case something happened because of them, and she seems to be doing ok.

Just wondering if I should be seriously stressing out, or if it's no big deal, and happens a lot?

[JB]

Nearly all horses have them - they're called ergots :D

If they are small, no need to bother with them at all. If they are large, you may need to trim them. You could ask your farrier/trimmer to nip them (make sure they know what they're doing!) when the feet are trimmed. They're sort of like chestnuts in that regard - mostly they're not much trouble, sometimes they can get really gnarly and need to be managed more actively.

[rcloisonne]

Nearly all horses have them - they're called ergots :D

:lol: :lol: :lol:

My older Arab mare used to grow very long ones as she aged. I'd just cut them off with scissors. She didn't care for her rear chestnuts being pulled unless softened for a few days with vaseline but never blinked an eye over the ergot trimming.

[Cherry]

Yes, they are ergots--but they're not calcifications....

Some ergots can be twisted off (I know they can get unsightly).

You might want to pick up a book on horse care and read through it--all that I have seem to have information about the parts of the horse, including the ergot....

[BumbleBee]

I missed the obvious thought we were talking about the proximal sesamoid bones. :lol:

[mandalea]

They're not ergots.

They are boney growths.

They're at the top of her fetlocks, not the bottom.

I missed the obvious thought we were talking about the proximal sesamoid bones. :lol:

That's about where they are on her fetlock

This is said pony:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/mandaleacalico/other/P2010266.jpg?t=1233448850

And these are her legs.

Left Fore:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/mandaleacalico/other/P2010261-1.jpg?t=1233450040

Right Fore:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/mandaleacalico/other/P2010262-1.jpg?t=1233451146

Left Hind:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/mandaleacalico/other/P2010263-1.jpg?t=1233451603

Right Hind:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w222/mandaleacalico/other/P2010264-1.jpg?t=1233451801

[BumbleBee]

How old is the pony? Is she currently sound?

My thinking is if she/he is sound and they are in the same place on all 4 legs that it is likely nothing to worry about.

edited because I thought of something else.

Have they always been there? It is quite possible what you are feeling is the bottom outside edges of the cannon bone? There seems to be variation in size/shape of some bones.

My gelding has a slightly convex long pastern bone, for a while I thought he had misaligned pastern bones but turns out he just has a slightly rounded surface to P1.

[Laurierace]

They look like osslets to me. If they are set they shouldn't cause a problem.

[mandalea]

How old is the pony?

Probably between 16 and 18

Is she currently sound?

Yes. They don't seem to be worrying her, and she still rounds around like her Arabian self without problems.

Have they always been there?

No. We found them about 4 months ago.

It is quite possible what you are feeling is the bottom outside edges of the cannon bone?

No, because her fetlocks were always quite smooth, and round.

[mandalea]

They look like osslets to me. If they are set they shouldn't cause a problem.

:confused:

[BumbleBee]

Glad to hear she is sound.

I am out of guesses. I can't think of a reason they would appear on all four legs in the same spot both sides of the leg all at the same time.

Sorry... I wouldn't worry, keep an eye on them and next time the vet is out ask him/her.:winkgrin:

[mandalea]

Glad to hear she is sound.

I am out of guesses. I can't think of a reason they would appear on all four legs in the same spot both sides of the leg all at the same time.

Sorry... I wouldn't worry, keep an eye on them and next time the vet is out ask him/her.:winkgrin:

Will do.

I have boots for her, that come around and under her fetlocks, to support them, just in case.

My neighbour said it's just an old age thing, but I have owned/known plenty of horses/ponies between 16 and 30, and none of them have it.

So I dunno.

She seems fine, but I was just concerned if it could be something serious.

And if anybody wanted more info, she's 13hh, about 320 kg, and has a little bit of a weight issue. She has a fatty crest, because she has some gluten resistance, therefore she has ONLY oaten hay, once a day, and that's at night. Otherwise, she only has grass, and the occasional carrot.

ETA: I actually managed to do some research! :lol:

I googled 'osslets' and found they are a form of arthritis, that doesn't effect them - that is definitely a relief!

Thanks Laurierace! :D :yes:

[BornToRide]

Usually something like this is caused by excessive strain of some sort. the body lays down more bone to reinforce an area, often where a tendon attaches to bone. In other cases the body may lay down more bone to support an area that receives increased stress, due to uneven joint loading for example. Others can be caused by trauma , like from hitting themselves with another hoof.

[BumbleBee]

Usually something like this is caused by excessive strain of some sort. the body lays down more bone to reinforce an area, often where a tendon attaches to bone. In other cases the body may lay down more bone to support an area that receives increased stress, due to uneven joint loading for example. Others can be caused by trauma , like from hitting themselves with another hoof.

But not all of a sudden on all 4 legs equally on either side.

[Chall]

Windpuffs?

[BumbleBee]

windpuffs were my first thought too, but she says they are bone.

[mandalea]

windpuffs were my first thought too, but she says they are bone.

They are bone :)

I think they're just osslets. I'll get the vet to check them when he comes out next.

But, what are windpuffs? :confused:

[Rescue Pony]

windpuffs?????

[mandalea]

windpuffs?????

I know aye :lol:

I was like wtf? WHAT ARE WINDPUFFS!!? :lol:

[George Myers]

Windgalls.

Just as daft a name really.

[mandalea]

Windgalls.

Just as daft a name really.

OOOHHHHH

I get it :D

[mandalea]

www.ridercupid.com is an online community of equestrian and country sports lovers providing equestrian dating for horse and country singles. Meet new partners for friendship, romance, and love....Come to join and you can share your hobby-riding and interest with more horse lovers there.

That is just spam!

[JB]

I don't think these are osselets - at least, I have never seen them form just at these points.

I'd be much more inclined to think they are windpuffs with some added insult of cysts which can feel like bone.