Arthritic changes in knees - what can I expect ?

[shmoo]

This is a tentative diagnosis by farrier, my first port of call with lameness
issues. Will ask vet to come out next week.

Farrier did see some changes in shape of her knees though, one worse than the other and she's very bad in a circle.

New to arthritus and wondered what to expect?

She's 15, a full TB, was up for sale but this stiffness has been getting worse the more she was worked so I went and took her off the girl I'd asked to sell her for me last weekend.

As ever I am so depressed about this... Any/all advice greatfully received. I was planning on letting her rest (out 24/7) over winter and see what spring holds? Pending vet of course ....

 

[Nudibranch]

Hmm, had a tb mare of 13 with knee arthritis. She went on danilon for a while as a light hack but it is degenerative. If it is arthritis, turnout is a good idea, stabling will make her stiffer. My CB has early hock arthritis so I've put her on devils claw and cider vinegar. The vinegar purely because Ranulph Fiennes swears by it and he's well 'ard. Can't say if it has made a difference or not though.

The vet was very sceptical about all the supplements, even the two prescription-only ones he could "recommend" he did so with little enthusiasm and thought placebo effect on the owner was the main difference! Interestingly he doesn't use them on his own arthritic either. He believes glucosamine/chondroitin to be a waste of time and money, and OH (a doctor) says the same for humans.

Light work, stay off the jumping and intensive schooling, painkiller if needed and play it by ear. A bit rubbish I'm afraid!

 

[shmoo]

Hiya Nudibranch, Not rubbish at all - good advice I think. My farrier said the same with a session of bute for a short while to ease the flare up initially if she gets worse over the next few days. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Many thanks.x.

 

[pottamus]

My lad has just been diagnosed with arthritis in the hocks. The vet has advised me to exercise him on the flat (hacking or leading in hand) every day if possible, plenty of turnout. He is on bute for 2 months and then I am to review with the vet and trial taking him off the bute or introducing hills to see how he is. My vet said it is perfectly manageable but he needs to stay mobile as much as possible, hence the bute and exercise...whether you are keen on that or not.
I have opted for walking in hand as the most I can do from my place on the relative flat is half an hour in total, otherwise we are into steep hills.
Interestingly it was my farrier a good year ago that thought he had the beginnings of stiffness. This year he has had on and off periods of not being quite right when ridden and stiff strides coming out of his stable in the morning. It came to a head about 6 weeks ago when he was clearly struggling up and down the hills.

 

[ladyt25]

I don't have any real answers but my 27 year old pony has been suffering on an off for the past 12 mths or so with some movement issues that seem to affect his back/hindquarters. It's been so intermittent that when we've had vets to see him he's been sound as anything and I think they thought we were mad!

He's had physio which has helped but then the awkward movement would return. Our vet this year says he suspects he has arthritis in his spine (he has also just been diagnosed with cushings). We had been treating him with bute and he was on it daily then every other day. I then decided to try acupuncture. At about the same time I started him and my other horse on Premier Flex HA from Equine Answers. Now, since the acupuncture treatment (3 odd weeks ago), the pony has not needed any bute and is walking absolutely normally.

Thing is I do not know if the acupuncture is the reason or the supplement! However, my other horse had been getting a bit more awkward picking up his hind legs for having his feet done/farrier. He has improved and there is no issue. Therefore, I am thinking for both of them the supplement is maybe doing something!

 

[Izzwizz]

If you have Insurance cover you could go down the course of injections called Adequan, this slows down arthritis and can be very effective. Synequin is a good supplement available through your Vets which is much more pure than other joint supplements as it is not full of additives. REgular exercise to keep your horse strong is one of the best things you can do to, and in Winter if stabled use stable chaps, magnetic boots,, and keep rugged up warm.