Arthritis & supplements given-are these for field or working soundness

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Fifty Bales of Hay

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I have done a search on "arthritis" and come up with lots of different things people are trying for their horses to help. Lots of things I havent' tried yet, so definitely worth me trying some of them for my horse.

What I was wondering, of all the people who have posted - are you giving supplements to achieve field soundness, or for work soundness, if for work, what work is your horse up to?

Is arthritis always the end of doing any kind of work?
 
I think it depends in what joint it has appeared my horsehas it in both fore leg coffin joints and when it was first diagnosed he was lame so he had plenty of rest and stable boots on at night and I started him on buteless. He came sound and will quite happily school,hack etc for 1-2 hours. I don't jump him anymore as he is 17.3hh and comes into a jump like he hs a rocket up his backside but that is my personal preference. I also am vpicky over the ground the softer the better. My friends mare has it in her knee joint and the mare has never been totally sound since but the knee is a far more active joint that the coffin joint so I think it causes more pain.
 
Arthits definately does not mean your horse can never work again although this is entirely dependent on several factors. Firstly different joints will affect a horse more severly than others when arthritic. And secondly it depends at what stage the arthritis is at.
Arthritis is an extremely broad term used to describe degeneration of a joint. basically where cartilage has worn down and bone is rubbing on bone. This can present itself as stiffness or indeed as lameness.

Stiffness would usually indicate an earlier onset of arthritis and is far easier to manage with exercise and a good joint supplement.
Lameness would have to be investigated further but can also be managed well with exercise and a good joint supplement depending on exactly what the condition is.

A joint supplement can be used to both maintain field and working soundness and in some cases is hugely successful.

My boy has arthritis in both hocks and is maintained well on a very good joint supplement and exercise, whislt also remembering to be a little more careful. i.e don't jump too much on hard ground. Reduce how many times a week you jump, and not doing too much trotting on tarmac.

Arthritis definately does not mean it is the end of the road for your horse though.
 
There are so many things that can be done these days, supplements, magnetic therapy, physiotherapy, joint injections, etc, etc. Don't give up searching for an answer. My horse is on Equine Americas glucosamine & MSM, cheap and cheerful but very good. The expensive joint supplements tend to have HA in them but Cortaflex have actually pooh poohed the use of HA in supplements, if you go on the cortaflex web page there is an explanation.
 
Not a reliable source, perhaps a selling tactic?

Our cob was diagnosed with hock arthritis about 5 years ago. he still works - very hard in carriage - with no worsening of his condition. We give Bute Free which also contains yucca and MSM with the devils claw.
As said, it will depend on the area affectd, the type of arthritis etc.
 
Thank you for all your replies.

18 months ago the arthritis "mild DJD" was diagnosed in both hind fetlocks and he wasn't stepping under with his legs, and there was fluid around and behind the fetlocks.

The hind legs look pretty good now, after a good spell of time off - he was too uncomfortable to ride like this. But now he seems to have a problem in the front, so possibly it's either his front fetlock or knee?

It this usual for arthritis to spread, or crop up in some other joint's once they've got it?
 
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