{"id":14510,"date":"2023-01-14T15:21:49","date_gmt":"2023-01-14T19:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/?p=14510"},"modified":"2023-01-14T15:21:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-14T19:21:51","slug":"osselets-in-horses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equestrianbootsandbridles.com\/osselets-in-horses\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are\u00a0Osselets\u00a0in Horses? (Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, & More)\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Osselets<\/em>, a Latin word for little bones<\/em>, is a type of arthritis that’s caused by repeated trauma and overuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Its appearance is primarily limited to racehorses due to the amount of stress and strain that’s put onto their fetlock joints during the gallop. They’re similar to windgalls<\/a> in that they’re cosmetic in appearance after they’ve been healed, and won’t affect a horse’s future soundness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Osselets\u00a0are considered cosmetic in nature, but their appearance can be off-putting to a potential buyer. However, the fact that the horse that’s been retired from a speed career, and is unlikely to be put to use for that type of work ever again, means the horse has a positive future in terms of staying sound and useful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read on to learn more about\u00a0osselets\u00a0in horses, their effect on a horse’s physical well-being, and what you can expect from owning a horse with the condition.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n RELATED: Windgalls (aka Windpuffs) in Horses: Symptoms, Treatment, &\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As always, the information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice for your horse. You should always consult with your vet when treating your horse.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The brief description of\u00a0osselets\u00a0in horses\u00a0is that it’s a type of arthritis located in the fetlock and caused by trauma to the joint.<\/strong> In this instance, the use of the word trauma refers to the strain and impact that the fetlock endures during a galloping stride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fetlock joint undergoes repetitive strain as the horse’s leg moves through its cycle. Internally, the top of the fetlock joint slams into the bottom of the cannon bone as the horse’s hoof hits the ground and the impact goes up the leg.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bone of the fetlock joint responds to this trauma by forming a bony callous known as a green\u00a0osselet<\/strong>. A horse with a green\u00a0osselet\u00a0will exhibit signs of soreness, have a short, choppy gait, and the joint will be warm or hot to the touch. When these conditions appear, the horse needs to be put on stall rest and provided with care and treatment to encourage the healing process to finish with the least amount of discomfort.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever noticed how a racehorse’s fetlocks almost stretch parallel to the ground as they race? This is due to an action known as dorsiflexion<\/em>, and it’s especially apparent in horses with long patterns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because racehorses are always engaged in work at speed, either during training or competition, they’re most likely to develop\u00a0osselets. Other speed activities with horses are unlikely to result in the formation of\u00a0osselets\u00a0because the horse isn’t running flat out for periods of time and isn’t undergoing extreme flexion of the fetlock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The repetitive action of the fetlock during dorsiflexion causes micro tears in the joint capsule of the fetlock. Over time, the bone forms a lump on the fetlock that hardens over time and creates a permanent ossification. A fresh osselet is known as a green osselet, and the horse will demonstrate soreness during the formation of the callous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Osselets\u00a0appear as swelling on the front of the fetlock<\/strong>, and are most commonly found on the front legs. You can easily see\u00a0osselets\u00a0because they give the fetlock joint an inflamed appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An\u00a0osselet\u00a0is hard to the touch, cold, and the horse is unlikely to flinch when you touch the bump. You’re more likely to get a lifted leg from the conditioned response of picking out a horse’s hooves than a reaction to a fully-formed\u00a0osselet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n A horse should be pulled from the activity after an\u00a0osselet\u00a0starts to appear. The sooner you can get on top of the condition, the better.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary treatment for the appearance of\u00a0osselets\u00a0is stall rest, the application of cold packs, and anti-inflammatories. A vet may use a corticosteroid injection into the joint to reduce inflammation and help the horse’s body heal itself more effectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n After an osselet has formed and turned cold, no further treatment is required. It has become part of the horse’s bony structure, and is located in an area of the fetlock that has no other function. That is, a horse’s flexor tendons are located to the side and rear of the leg, and don’t travel over the front of the fetlock joint. An osselet won’t interfere with the normal function of the horse’s leg, and will not require ongoing maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Osselets\u00a0in horses\u00a0aren’t necessarily a career-ending injury<\/strong>, even though they look like the horse is permanently lame or is likely to become lame again in the future. A horse may have its racing career ended due to the\u00a0osselets, but that doesn’t mean the horse can never be used again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the\u00a0osselets\u00a0are healed, the horse can go on to a second career doing everything from eventing to trail riding<\/a> without issues. They’re a cosmetic issue only, and shouldn’t deter you from making the purchase of a horse that has the talent you’re seeking for your discipline.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Osselets\u00a0are not an indicator of a predisposition to arthritis as their cause is mechanical in nature. Racing puts a lot of strain on a horse’s joints, and sometimes a horse’s body has a mild, degenerative response to the strain. You can expect a horse with\u00a0osselets\u00a0to go on to have a great future and experience their full potential in whatever discipline you prefer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/ol><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What is an\u00a0Osselet?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Osselets Form<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Presentation of Osselets After They Form<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Treatment for Osselets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Quality of Life Outlook for a Horse With Osselets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Osselets, Windpuffs, and Windgalls: What Are They?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n