Where does low ringbone occur?

• A. Around coffin joint
• B. Around pastern joint
• C. In fetlock joint
• D. In navicular area

Answer: (A)

Ringbone is an osteoarthritic change that forms bone around a joint in the horse’s lower limb. When we say low ringbone, we’re referring to the coffin joint, which is the distal interphalangeal joint just above the hoof. This location is the lowest of the two main interphalangeal joints, so the bony proliferation that develops around it is described as “low.” The coffin joint bears a lot of load and concussion, which helps explain why the osteoarthritis and ringbone changes commonly appear there.

So, the best match is around the coffin joint because that defines the low ringbone location. In contrast, involvement of the pastern joint would be described as high ringbone, and the navicular area refers to a different problem altogether (navicular disease). The fetlock area isn’t the classic site described for ringbone.