any ideas? what wouldyou do? decison time!

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kombikids

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i am not sure what to do in the long term for my horsey, basically he was diagnosed with significant arthritis in both hocks and fetlocks 2months ago which was being v successfully managed by 2 danilon a day. He would need one a day to stay field sound apparently.Horsey then has a bad spate of colitis where we very nearly lose him and hes in intensive care for a week. The vet says its 50/50 as to whether it was caused by the bute. Vet also said he was lame on front legs when lunged during his illness. Vets recommendation is to introduce a small amount of bute in a few weeks, ie 1/2 a sachet a day and if he reacts then we know the bute is to blame.Not sure how i feel about this so am trying no bute devils claw and newmarket joint supplement. Hes a super loving kind affectionate horse who loves teaching people to ride and i have been lucky enough to find a sharer for him who is perfect and happy to takeit easy with him.

So i am trying to plan things in the long run,do i retire him at a retirement yard (anyone know any?) but i am worried that he wont cope without the bute and he could get colitis again and the bute would mask itas it did last time.I cant keep him where he is as I cant do 2 on DIY in winter as i have a small child and our own business and the full livery option is v expensive.

He is looking super well at the mo and as he has a sharer until she goes back to uni i dont really have to make a decision until september... has anyone else been in this situation? I can honestly say i love this horse as much as my family!! He nearly died a couple of weeks ago with the colitis with his head in my lap and i dont want him to go that way.
 
Can you not keep him at your current yard. It would make it much easier for you to monitor his health. If he goes away you will only worry and it relies on his new yard being observant and keeping a very close eye on him. Perhaps a new sharer would be able to help with the work in the winter if you keep him where he is.
 
thanks for the reply! Thats the thing - i cant do DIY with him as I a barely cope with one on DIY let alone 2 as have childand own business, and cant afford to put him on part livery.

Is it fair to ask a sharer to come on board when i dont know how long he will be sound for?
 
I guess it is hard to comment without seeing how sound he actually is on a small amount of anti inflammatory meds

You could Google Serrapeptase which is an enzyme that can help with arthritic and inflammatory conditions, with a hefty loading dose you could see an improvement quite quickly - you would be looking at £20-£25 per month to maintain and it is safe to give with other meds (disclaimer; discuss with your vet)
 
There are retirement livery yards out there. Costs do vary according to the type of package required but seem to be more modest than normal full livery.

Can you keep him on grass livery at your present yard with occasional use of a stable or is that not possible?

Is there any way you can streamline the stable management side of things to cut down the amount of time you spend at the yard? What about a sharer to help with both horses?

As you've found an understanding sharer in the past it might be possible to find someone else who's happy to help out with a modest amount of light exercise if sound enough.

I've not been in your situation but if I were, I'd rather keep on grass livery unless there was a retirement yard within easy travelling distance where I could visit often.

I hope you find a good solution.
 
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