Arthritic Horses in Winter

[lhopkins_]

I discovered back in April that my 17yo thoroughbred gelding had arthritis in his hocks. It had reach the point where it had fused naturally itself, so it would have been there before I bought him 6 months previous to discovering he had it.
I don't remember him being as bad last year, but he seems to be getting very stiff (not lame). I think it's due to the cold, as he's still on the same joint supplement he's being using for the past 6 months (which I've seen massive improvement with) and he goes out 8-9 hours a day so he is not standing around all day as he does like to run around. He has seen a reduction in the amount of exercise he's being doing as I've struggled with the dark evenings and busy yard we are at, but I plan to get him back into a proper routine next week, although this isn't the first time he's had time off work and he's being perfectly fine in the past. I was just wondering if there's anything more I could do to help with stiffness that people have seen genuine improvement with? I've got bute from the vet on hand if needed, and I'll call the vet out if needed but I don't feel as if it is that bad yet. He just seems a little bit more down than usual when in work (which he usually loves) and I hate to see it.

 

[Supertrooper]

My pony has bone spavins. He’s been off today, a combination of skidding this morning whilst bucking on icy ground in field and the weather.

He’s got a rug on tonight and has had some bute.

I maintain him on Global Herbs Alphabute that generally suits him well xx

 

[Goldenstar]

My experiance is that they struggle more in winter .
Keep him warm it’s my experiance that helps them and don’t leave him out if he’s miserable in poor weather mine prefers to be in his stable so I give him three hours and then let him come in .

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Have you tried magnetic boots? I've had very good results, which made a real difference to one horse but they certainly don't work in every case. One of ours which didn't respond to the boots was on bute for several years. If it made her look a bit tired, we would give her a break from it in better weather and then start again. The vet did say that she would succumb to the arthritis long before the side effects of bute got her.

 

[Ceifer]

Have you tried magnetic boots? I've had very good results, which made a real difference to one horse but they certainly don't work in every case. One of ours which didn't respond to the boots was on bute for several years. If it made her look a bit tired, we would give her a break from it in better weather and then start again. The vet did say that she would succumb to the arthritis long before the side effects of bute got her.

^^^
This

I had exactly the same an old horse of mine. He responded well with boots on but I’ve known a few who didn’t. I used to reduce his work In winter but I think it’s important to still keep them in Work albeit gentle.

 

[southerncomfort]

Agree with all of the above.

I let my old girl decide what she wants to do but more often now she is asking to come in. I put her in the yard with access to her stable and she is happy as larry. When she is out she is well rugged up.

I've had her on a combination of supplements for a while that seem to work for her but I have a box of bute so that I can give proper pain relief on days when she is noticeably more stiff and uncomfortable.

 

[Darlabean]

They are all different but I find with mine out and moving to stop them stifffening up is best. Rug if you must. Mine is better unrugged as he moves more. Lots of long and low stretching in combo with antiinflammatories works well too.

 

[Cocorules]

Use the bute. Arthritis is painful and worse when it is cold or wet. A painkiller ought to be used. Movement helps so maximum turnout is best with good shelter.

 

[hihosilver]

They are all different but I find with mine out and moving to stop them stifffening up is best. Rug if you must. Mine is better unrugged as he moves more. Lots of long and low stretching in combo with antiinflammatories works well too.

yes our vet recommended that we leave our 14.2 16 year old out in the winter- it does help if hes moving around.

 

[Shysmum]

Hi there... I took on a 26 year old SHETLAND last year, with knees so arthritic they were actually "turned in". I put him on DEVILS CLAW, and a combination of GLUCOSAMINE, MSM, CHRONDITONIN.... let's just say that after a year, we're all on it, and Pepsi needs a controller headcollar being led out on rides �� I get it all off eBay.

Here's a video from last week...

Watch "*"DON'T STOP ME NOW, HAVIN A GOOD TIME !" stars SHYBOY THE GYPSY COB AND PEPSI THE SHETLAND PONY 276" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/BWfIOal1Kcc

Let me know of you want eBay product numbers.

 

[southerncomfort]

yes our vet recommended that we leave our 14.2 16 year old out in the winter- it does help if hes moving around.

Generally I'd agree but it does depend on where in the country you are etc. Where we lived before she was quite happy out 24/7 but where we are now is much colder and windier and her symptoms get much worse if I let her get cold and wet.

As with everything it's about finding a balance and trying to do the right thing for each individual horse. Which as we all know can feel like an impossible task sometimes!

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I feed my 22yr old Buteless, turmeric, micronised linseed, brewers yeast with healthy herbal chaff. On his hinds I use the Premier Equine stable wraps with the magnetic liners.

Agree with Cocorules though that there is nothing wrong with feeding regular Bute to an older arthritic horse to keep them comfortable.

 

[YasandCrystal]

I feed my arthritic mare turmeric linseed and black pepper and glucosamine and msm. I use magnetic boots overnight when she is stiff too. She is 25 years old and now out 24/7 with a field shelter. I have heard good things about the Back on Track hock wraps. They keep the hock warm and I can only feedback on the same make rug I have which is brilliant for a horse with a chronic back injury that needs warming before work.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I have heard good things about the Back on Track hock wraps. They keep the hock warm and I can only feedback on the same make rug I have which is brilliant for a horse with a chronic back injury that needs warming before work.

IME the BoT lined hock boots are excellent, as are the other BoT products.

My 11yo mare has bilateral hock arthritis, which was diagnosed a few months ago. She has responded well to a course of Cartrophen followed by hock injections. I put the hock boots on when she comes in to the stable for a couple of hours each morning for a rest and chill before work, and if she's standing in for any other reason.

I'd certainly top up with a low dose of Danilon if I thought she was struggling in the cold weather. She's on a generous ration of micronised linseed and also boswellia, which is anti inflammatory and gut friendly.

 

[Polos Mum]

I am not a believer in weird and wonderful treatments but mine (who had failed fusion treatment in both hocks) has magnet boots (Bioflo) and I can really tell if I haven't had them on (they are on 24/7 when it's dry/ frozen but in the wet/mud I am worried they will rub so take them off)