Ringbone (Pastern osteoarthritis)
Ringbone is osteoarthritis of the pastern joint (high ringbone) or the coffin joint (low ringbone) — a bony enlargement around the pastern, not a splint on the cannon and not navicular syndrome inside the foot. A photograph cannot diagnose ringbone. A still cannot tell high vs low ringbone, osteoarthritis of the pastern or coffin, a sprain, windpuffs, or a fracture. Diagnosis is a vet exam, often radiographs. The conformation scan is a first look at the pastern/joint bump, not a verdict that your horse has ringbone, and there is no ringbone scanner.
Symptoms to watch for
A firm bony bump on the pastern, or around the coronary band
Heat, filling, or pain over the pastern or coffin joint (an active, inflamed joint), or a cold, hard bump that has been there a while
A shorter, pottery stride, especially on hard ground or tight circles
Reluctance to land, turn, or work on that limb
Swelling around the pastern that can look like windpuffs, a sprain, or a fracture
Some horses stay even at walk; the first sign is a firm pastern bump after work — a reason to book a vet, not a photo verdict
Common causes
- Osteoarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal (pastern) joint or the distal interphalangeal (coffin) joint — bony remodeling can follow
- Concussion, upright pasterns, or a sudden increase in work on hard ground — the work is a clue, not a diagnosis
- Age, an old sprain or joint injury, or conformation that loads the pastern
- Not a splint (cannon / MC2–MC4), not navicular syndrome (inside the foot), not windpuffs, and not a fracture — a still cannot tell high vs low ringbone, osteoarthritis of the pastern or coffin, a sprain, windpuffs, or a fracture, and those need a vet
Prevention
- Warm up before hard work and build speed and jumping gradually
- Match the work to the footing — avoid sudden heavy work on hard ground
- Watch the pastern for a new firm bump, heat, or filling and rest rather than working through it
- Do not treat a photo, a pastern bump, or a scan result as a diagnosis
- Conformation photos can help you and your vet look at the pastern/joint bump — they do not confirm or rule out ringbone, and they cannot tell high vs low ringbone, osteoarthritis of the pastern or coffin, a sprain, windpuffs, or a fracture
What to do
- 1
Book a vet visit if you find a firm pastern or coronary-band bump, heat, or filling. Diagnosis is a vet exam, often radiographs — not a photograph.
- 2
Stop work. Rest the horse and do not ride through a hot, painful pastern bump hoping it will settle.
- 3
Photograph the pastern/joint bump in good light and keep it on the horse's record so you and the vet can see change over time — a first look to share, not a diagnosis.
- 4
Use a conformation scan only as a first look at the pastern/joint bump to share, not as a ringbone test. There is no ringbone scanner.
- 5
If ringbone (pastern or coffin osteoarthritis) is confirmed, follow the plan your vet prescribes — that may include rest, controlled exercise, or further imaging. Do not start a treatment protocol from a photo.
- 6
Keep the vet on the same page. Share what you see; do not treat a photo as a verdict.
Pick up the phone if…
Schedule a vet visit if you find a firm bump on the pastern or around the coronary band, if the bump is hot or painful, if the horse is short on that limb, or if filling appears after work. Call sooner if the horse will not bear weight, the limb is suddenly very swollen, or the horse is dull or off feed. A photograph cannot diagnose ringbone. A still cannot tell high vs low ringbone, osteoarthritis of the pastern or coffin, a sprain, windpuffs, or a fracture. Diagnosis is a vet exam, often radiographs. The conformation scan is a first look at the pastern/joint bump, not a verdict, and there is no ringbone scanner.
Related topics
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Educational content only. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.