Arthritic horses turned out 24/7

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ChestnutConvert

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This is my girls first year of being out 24/7 and cpnsidering she has pretty bad arthritis in some of her fetlocks, she seems to be happy and relatively comfortable.
I was always told by my vet to keep her joints warm which when she was being stabled was easier with turnout boots and stable boots. Now that she is out I can't leave her in turnout boots all day and night but while the weather is cold it would be nice to have the warmth.
Any ideas on how to give her warmth? She does have equi magnetic fetlock bands which stay on, I'm presuming that all boots will cause the inevitable rubs and scabs when left on, do I just stick to putting her magnets on before and after riding and hoping she keeps herself warm when need be?
 
I don't think you can .
The ideal is a shed with a deep bed .
In my experiance she will let you know when she wants to be stabled my arthritic ones always did .
 
ChestnutConvert said:
This is my girls first year of being out 24/7 and cpnsidering she has pretty bad arthritis in some of her fetlocks, she seems to be happy and relatively comfortable.
I was always told by my vet to keep her joints warm which when she was being stabled was easier with turnout boots and stable boots. Now that she is out I can't leave her in turnout boots all day and night but while the weather is cold it would be nice to have the warmth.
Any ideas on how to give her warmth? She does have equi magnetic fetlock bands which stay on, I'm presuming that all boots will cause the inevitable rubs and scabs when left on, do I just stick to putting her magnets on before and after riding and hoping she keeps herself warm when need be?
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Hello
My old mare has lived out for the past few years 24/7. She has been much less stiff as tends to walk about more than in a stable. I just keep my horse warm with a good rug, if she has a good shelter she will have somewhere to get out of the harsh cold and keep her well fed. I do have boots but wont leave them on over night because they get wet and hold the coldness closer to her legs. Turmeric is also meant to be good for arthritis in older horses. Ive tried it but i dont think my mare is at the point where she needs it as i didnt notice much difference and she will still race around the field !!
 
I believe with the correct rug (if required) and the right nutrition your mare will be very comfortable out 24/7 without heating her legs up which can actually cause more harm than good!
 
My boy is out 24/7 specifically to help his arthritis, if it wasn't for that I would bring him in to save the fields. I have had him out one winter before but otherwise was always on yards where it wasn't an option. He was much happier overall living out that winter than coming in. I do sometimes bring him in and put him in a stable for a few hours as he likes to lie down and have a good sleep, but is ready to go out again after that. I have never used boots while out, as I agree that they would stay wet and cold on the leg. He has a good rug and a shelter, but he is clipped on his body (not legs). He is always warm enough and much less stiff.
 
Mine also prefers to stay out - I'm on a yard I'm not 100% happy with to make sure he can have 24 hour turnout all year!

When it was really cold on Monday night and he came in for his haynet he showed absolutely no enthusiasm for going back out - so got a night in. Its his first night in since March and judging by the nest he had made in his straw bed he had a good snooze.

When he's had enough of being in he will barge out of the stable in the morning (he is usually the sweetest, most well behaved horse around!) and march down to his paddock in an oversized Thelwell huff. He will often - very politely - refuse to go back in the stable if he believes he should be out.

He's definitely better stiffness wise if he's out but when its very cold + very wet then we haven't got good enough shelter on the yard for me to feel happy that out is the right thing for him.
 
Surely it is better for an arthritic horse to be in an environment where they are moving about, not standing still for hours in a stable. Suitably rugged, I would opt for 24/7 turnout every time.
 
My old boy was much happier turned out (arthritic hocks) and if he had to come on for the day, if we were shooting, he was noticeably stiffer going back out. I wouldn't put boots on, or leave anything on all night, but see how she goes.
 
ChestnutConvert said:
Any ideas on how to give her warmth?
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IMO the thing that will keep her legs warm is a warm body and dry hair on her legs. So she needs to be generally warm (decent natural winter coat / rugs / shelter and plenty of forage). She needs to have unclipped legs. She needs to have dry legs, so no routine leg washing and plenty of dry ground in the turnout. Those are far more effective than any boots. Being able to keep moving will probably do her the world of good.
 
laura_nash said:
IMO the thing that will keep her legs warm is a warm body and dry hair on her legs. So she needs to be generally warm (decent natural winter coat / rugs / shelter and plenty of forage). She needs to have unclipped legs. She needs to have dry legs, so no routine leg washing and plenty of dry ground in the turnout. Those are far more effective than any boots. Being able to keep moving will probably do her the world of good.
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I agree with this completely.

My arthritic mare has lived out for the past few years and loves it. I never put boots on her legs - I think constant movement is far more beneficial than booted legs.
 
HashRouge said:
I agree with this completely.

My arthritic mare has lived out for the past few years and loves it. I never put boots on her legs - I think constant movement is far more beneficial than booted legs.
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Also agree. Mine is much better for being out all the time and I never boot her.
 
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