A bit upset - Other peoples experiences greatly appreciated

[joshuaada]

My beautiful boy was recently diagnosed with arthritis in both coffin joints. He is a 16.2 Friesian and is 11 years old. He has worked for a lot of his life as a carriage horse in central London, so I think has earned his keep. He is a forward going ride and I noticed he was getting short and tentative on inclines, instead of skipping down them as usual. The vet doesn't think it warrants any treatment at this stage. However, I put him on Suppleaze Gold about 5 weeks ago and this helped enormously. I have also bought him magnetic stable boots. He is perfectly sound and free moving at the trot, just steadier on hills. He doesn't feel bi-laterally lame, as one would expect. We rode out today and coming back down the hill towards home I put him on the grass verge. He normally stops for a wee, why always in the same place, I don't know! When I put him on the verge, he stumbled really badly ( no rabbit holes, just flat) and it took some time for him to recover his balance. Thank god he didn't go down on his knees. Knee boots from now on!
I would be very grateful for other peoples experience of coffin joint arthritis, good or bad. Today I felt it was the beginning of the end. He is such a lovely boy

 

[Finns Mum]

Sorry can't offer any experience of coffin joint arthritus, but just wanted to send positive vibes

 

[nikkinoo]

im sorry too I dont really have any advice but some one on her should

ditto the positive vibes xx

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Jacob has coffin joint arthritis badly in off fore- its been ongoing for 2 years now

it doesnt show on xray but nerve blocking the coffin joint is the only way to get him sound.. he is 11 yrs clydesdale x 16.2hh we have tried Cartrophen (twice) Adequan, Steroids, IRAP and he had an arthroscopy operation to tidy up the joint & cartilage. Tried every type of shoe and is currently barefoot. To date nothing has made him sound/rideable but with the last year off he has started to stand normally instead of pointing the off fore. I have started him on Cosequin which *seems* to be helping (cortaflex/superflex/supplease gold/premierflex etc have made no difference and he doesnt respond to bute) As we have spent the insurance maximum- the next stage is an MRI so once i have sold my Ideal Suzannah dressage saddle *wibble* he will get one - then i am hoping to get an indication of whether he might ever come sound or if he is to be a field ornament forever...

 

[Jojo24]

Hi
Very sorry to hear your news. My horse was diagnosed with the same thing at thirteen. He continued quite happily for another six years on a mixture of pain killers and Cortavet HA. This is a stronger version of Cortaflex. You can only get it from the vet and it is expensive but it is really good.

I think a lot of it depends on the horse. If they are sensible, balanced and look forward to work they can go on working quite happily. The horse ends up telling you what he is happy doing and what he isn't. My horse was happy jumping but not doing any sort of drop or going downhills.