Arthritis in fetlock joint

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cob mad

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My horse went for nerve blocks, xrays ect friday and has been dianosed with arthritis in the fetlock joint. Shes going to have injections into the joint for the next month. Has anyone had any experience with arthritis in the fetlock and how did you treat it? Any advice/ info much appreciated.
 
Oh I am so sorry to hear that dreaded word arthritis as it nearly had my horse retired a few months back. My mares is in her knees and one in particular is causing her trouble as spike between the joints when she flexes. On up side she is sound again!

I also know a girl who's horse had it in fetlock joint and steroid injection has brought himsound and another who had navicular and tildren injection cured his lameness so all is not lost.

Injections were not an option for my horse so I researched like mad and here is what I did -
1. rest but keep mobile so turn out as much as possible on flat field so avoiding stress to joints
2. magnetic wraps to increase the blood flow to the area
3. heat from these and clay bandages after exercise
4. fab herbal mix from a herbalist rather than supplements you can buy as waste of money using poorer quality herbs and bulking agents
5. Knee rub also from same herbalist to numb area for exercise
6. Light 10mins a day inhand then ridden on flat even ground to increase blood flow and mobility rubbing knee rub on first
7. Breakover shoes - ask your farrier if could go barefoot or if corrective shoeing would help takethe stress of the joint

My horse was meant to be manageable on Danilon with bad days and good days I was warned butI tried the herbs without any bute as it stops the absorption if the herbs into the system and she was crippled in walk and it was awful to see her in the field hobbling but now 6 weeks later on herbs alone she is sound!
 
Hi MJA, thank you so much for your reply, am glad to know Im not the only one with problems. I am using magnetic boots and they seem to really help I tur her out as much as possible from around 7am to 8 pm. Shes a heavy cob and i have to watch her weight so easier to bring in on a night as muzzles dont fit! Can I ask which herbilist you use? Never really thought about going down that route. Hate the thought of giving her bute for the rest of her life. Any advice or info very much appreciated. Thanks
 
My vet recommended turmeric ... google it along with equine and Nottingham and it should bring up some research papers.
At only £1.60/month, it is worth a try imo.
 
Hi, sorry to hear about your mare.

My horse has this and has had since he was 6. After a year off he was still lame and is unfortunately now on a Danilon a day. However, on this I can hack out normally and do some low level dressage/fun rides etc, I've just ruled out jumping. I do from time to time take him off the Danilon (used to be on Bute) and put him on No Bute or similar and that works for a few months. When I get back to the UK I may well investigate trying some other method as the EquiReliefPlus looks interesting in the website below.

This fab website, which was recommended by another HHO, is well worth looking into.

http://www.equinatural.co.uk/

The steriod injections only worked a couple of days for my boy so a complete waste of time, although other horses have had greater successes. Its all about working out which way works best for your horse & unfortunately that takes time and experimenting.
 
A horse (wasn't mine but was on loan to me for around 6 months) had arthiritus in her back legs she was on synequin and cortaflex and she was fine, jumping, hacking, schooling. (she was previously a show-jumper and that's what the wear and tear was most likely from but we continued to jump her around 3 foot 6. (i bet she taught they where trotting poles, but i was happy at that height)

EDIT.. Oh yes we had her in old mac boots for all riding. They really are great for older or arthritic horses, you can't go wrong with them :D
 
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I thought id explain a little more about the arthritis, it was in both back fetlocks but only very slight and she never got lame from it but just wouldn't pass a vetting.
 
Not all horses are able to go barefoot- mine isnt as her front feet are brittle and fall to pieces having been shod for so long and now with a good farrier they are in good shape but he and my vet said barefoot is not an option for her. Instead she has breakover shoes which reduces the stress on her legs and joints and if youo want to go further you can have lighter shoes and gel pads for cushioning.

The herbalist I use does not advertise or mass produce as only a 2 man outfit - a lady and her husband make this mixes because their own horse was arthritic and started to produce them for others. Now they make mixes for people they know by word of mouth as no website etc but any herbalist who specialises in horses and does specific arthritic mixes will benefit your horse.

I wish I could pass everyone with this problem on to her but she just couldnt manage the workload. There are herbalists galore if you google - I am from NI and use this lady from england as we havent as many here!
 
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