Arthramid recovery?

[Patterdale]

We have a pony with mild hock arthritis. Had steroids in spring, worked really well but worn off by mid June so decided to go down the arthramid route.

She had this 3 weeks ago. My understanding was that she needed a couple of quiet weeks then crack on. However I have since read really conflicting things about recovery.

Some people say they did a few days off then work as normal. Some say box rest then a long rehab (all on different vets advice). My vet hasn’t used it loads and is a bit vague. A friend who does 4* says they are back competing theirs after 2 weeks and have used it on a lot of horses with success.
Pony is still very very slightly stiff (only I can see it but she’s my pony I know her very well! And she’s 17 and therefore may always start a bit stiff). She’s not lame. Not quite as forward as usual but she’s had two weeks out on good grass and has gained a belly and lost a bit of fitness.

Just wondering what other people’s experiences have been!

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

The calmer you can keep them now, the longer lasting and more effective the arthramid will be. Advice will be tailored to the horse; my horse was sensible and focused on eating when turned out so he was allowed turnout after he had it.

if yours is more exciting in the field and likely to bounce around then you may want to think about sedation or box rest. If you don't then you'll be back for more treatment sooner.

 

[Sossigpoker]

It depends on how fit and how much work the horse /pony was in when the injection was being done. If the horse was competition fit then yes they probably would just crack on.
Mine had been out of work for several months so we started with 10 mins of hand walking per day for 2 weeks ,.then the same under saddle for two weeks and slowly increasing from that.

 

[scats]

My vet just told me to carry on hacking and turnout as normal.

 

[lizziebell]

It very much depends on each individual horse and I would be consulting with your vet. I wouldn’t be happy for my vet to use a treatment they are “vague” about without some back up from a vet who does know - and I would then expect my vet to discuss my horse/ case with an experienced vet to be able to give me the appropriate aftercare information.

 

[Patterdale]

Thanks.
Pony is meant to be at a stay away show this weekend and I just cannot decide what to do.

So many people use it then just carry on, but I have many seeds of doubt sown now by stuff I’ve read on the internet and I’m a worrier anyway!

 

[HelenBack]

My vet told me to carry on as normal but we were only happy hackers by that point anyway so I don't know if that made any difference to the advice.

The vet did say it would take up to six weeks to notice any difference. I wasn't really seeing anything and was beginning to think it hadn't helped when suddenly after about five weeks it seemed to kick in. I've heard others day similar too.

I appreciate that doesn't really help you decide what to do this weekend though.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Arthramid is great stuff, but 3 weeks post injections to a stay away show - presuming multiple jumping rounds - sounds too soon.

Insist that your 'rather vague' vet consults other more experienced vets to be able to give you more robust advice about the best way forward for this particular pony.

 

[AandK]

Mine stayed in 24hrs after the injection, then back out 24/7. Work wise he had a couple of weeks of in hand work before I got on him. He wasn't in proper work before the injection though, so his workload gently increased after I got back on. It definitely made a difference to his comfort.
ETA: if it were me, I would not go to the show. I think it is too soon.

 

[bouncing_ball]

We have a pony with mild hock arthritis. Had steroids in spring, worked really well but worn off by mid June so decided to go down the arthramid route.

She had this 3 weeks ago. My understanding was that she needed a couple of quiet weeks then crack on. However I have since read really conflicting things about recovery.

Some people say they did a few days off then work as normal. Some say box rest then a long rehab (all on different vets advice). My vet hasn’t used it loads and is a bit vague. A friend who does 4* says they are back competing theirs after 2 weeks and have used it on a lot of horses with success.
Pony is still very very slightly stiff (only I can see it but she’s my pony I know her very well! And she’s 17 and therefore may always start a bit stiff). She’s not lame. Not quite as forward as usual but she’s had two weeks out on good grass and has gained a belly and lost a bit of fitness.

Just wondering what other people’s experiences have been!

I would think you can carefully bring back into full work now, as injection was 3 weeks ago. I am not sure I would do a stay away show, if involves jumping, as I would think take you 2-3 weeks to get fit and ok, and back out competing? Unless it is a low key activity, showing show might fine.

 

[Patterdale]

It’s jumping but low level, max 50. 2-3 rounds a day and she was jumping fit before injections. She wasn’t lame, just stopping which is how it manifested before steroids in spring.
I think I will take her but be very conservative and keep a close eye.

There doesn’t seem to be a standard recovery time. There are people who’ve been told 5 days box rest is essential, and lots who’ve been told 24 hours or 48 hours. Different vets give different plans for very similar cases and it does make it tricky.

Also a lot of recovery plans are personal choice too - for instance I would never box rest a horse no matter how ‘essential’ I was told it was. I’ve had very good results with splints etc following the ‘turn it out’ method where I’ve had vets telling I absolutely must box rest and cold hose for 6 weeks.

This isn’t vet bashing by the way as I know there’s not always one right answer and it’s not easy for them. But it can make it tricky to decide what to do.