Arthritic changes? Maybe?

[Amy567]

So, my mare is rising 17 now and she's still out jumping 1.15, but she's been doing more recently than she has in the past 2 years, she LOVES it! However, after a XC training session (where admittedly my sister just pointed her at anything to 'give it a go'- pretty cross at her!) her hock became swollen and hot. No lameness, but she's been getting progressively stiff this year, she's on a joint supplement. Her stiffness has now calmed down and it's just a bit of old age stiffness I think. There's a few other things that point to arthritic changes, but there's no sign of her being in any pain or slowing down! And she's a bit of a whimpy TB, so she does tell us if it hurts. I wondered if there was a topical treatment, a bit like voltarol gel, but for horses, that might help a little? The swelling went down after cold treatment, but thought we could possibly use preventative measures?

 

[pottamus]

If it is arthritic changes, you wont prevent them as such, but can help your horse by keeping her active and perhaps putting her on a supplement for healthy joints. My lad has had problems with stiffness over the last year which I suspected was arthritis. He got quite bad with it recently and the vet has confirmed my suspicions, that it is arthritis. My lad is is visibly lame though coming out of the stable in the morning and on circles. Just keep an eye on it and if in doubt get some xrays if you know the offending leg.