Are there any other options for a horse with hock arthritus

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Ahrena

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Once steroid injections and tildren aren't really working anymore?

Squirrel had his second course of sterioid injections in May, alongside tildren for the first time, but he never came back quite right.

Still throwing in odd stops when competing - havn't been out without a stop since even at a lower level where he use to be very consistent and starting to be a little reluctant to load, so sent him for a full work up.

Nerve blocking showed he was still sore in his right hock which was the worst originally.

He is staying overnight and they are doing more tests tomorrow then will discuss options - but really, what is there?

Is there anything to clutch straws on or is it time to accept my super horse's jumping days are over?
 
ethanol fusions?
I'm yet to be 100% convinced by them but that is often an option offered when tildren / steroids etc fail
 
Have to say, the idea of ethanol fusion scares the life out of me!

I had that done with my (now retired but due to something unrelated) horse and she suffered a very bad side affect which caused her to be in a cast for 3 months, another 6 months box rest and over a year off in total. She very almost died, was on a morphine drip for 10 days.

But obviously that doesn't always happen!
 
I think you may have to face the fact that his competitive jumping days are over. If you can accept that, and give him some time in the field, you may well find that he will make a super hack, and capable of popping the odd small log whilst out. One thing I would say though, from experience of two neddies with arthritis - is keep him moving, not jumping or lunging (that is really stressful on arthritic joints) and you'll find that he will last for years - proof of the pudding - my 35 year old!
 
Cartrophen might be worth a try. It's been the best so far for my girly. The steroid injections were a waste of time and my vet is fairly sceptical about tildren. We've had 6 months totally sound in full work on the catrophen course, although it is needing to be redone now. One of my vets also suggested remedial shoeing as an option. It's definitely not one for us, but could be worth discussing for yours if your horse is still in shoes. Or you could look at shoes off to minimise concussion and let him develop the feet to manage the condition. I don't think you're quite out of options yet, but see what your vets say :-)
 
Do try taking his back shoes off. My old girl has mild athritis in her hocks but has worn her feet very un evenly (badly wears down the outside wall). The worst affected leg is more extremely unbalanced than the other. She is only lame when the walls are evened up and she's made to walk 'straight'. So she's now left with a very long inside wall and short outside and she's completely sound (touch wood frantically). She's always been barefoot and used to have perfectly balanced feet.
 
how old is he? would they do the joint fusion operation (though i guess you wont have insurance for it, as it is an existing condition). we had that for harry aged 8 and he is much more comfy though we dont jump at the moment. i dont know if it is the same as the ethanol thing - he had an operation and ethanol wasnt mentioned. sorry not very technical!
 
Thanks guys. I'm feeling so miserable! I know its silly as he's sound and happy and means the world to me so it really shouldn't matter that much if I need to stop eventing him but I keep bursting into tears thinking we might of sat in that start box for the last time!

He's 15 and the hocks aren't insured anymore, but tbh if we can get him comfortable and able to carry on with his job (he loves it normally so not entirely being selfish here, although obviously if its best for him then we will stop no issue) then the money doesn't matter. Obviously happy to spend the money to keep him comfortable regardless of competing too though, as his health and happiness is the most important thing!

Its just all so sudden - only a few months ago our instructor was saying we should be able to do a few intermediates before the end of his career but now its looking like it all being over is a very real possibility!

But at least it's nothing life threatening and whatever happens he will spend the rest of his days with me in luxury as he deserves nothing less. :(
 
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