Arthritis...

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Foxy13

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<font color="purple"> </font> My 19-year-old nutcase thorowbred was diagnosed with arthritis... Once he lames in all 4 legs and the next he is stiff but sound. Doctor suggested that i should keep on working only in walk and canter avoiding circles... The thing is that he is a very happy horse and each time i start cantering he jumps aroung like a goat and, obviously, the next day he is even worse!! Is there something I can give him to relieve the pain and put him back on track? Can anyone suggest a working program for him?
Thank you!!
 
When my tb was diagnosed I was told to walk on roads, and trot only on soft ground. This didn't last long before it progressed. It depends on the severity of the condition.

There are various bute substitutes you could try, although I've never found any of them particularly effective. Also joint supplements; glucosamine and so on. Some people swear by magnetic boots. But really you need to speak to a vet, your horse may need Danilon or Bute, although obviously they are not a long term solution. Also check shoeing with the farrier, plastic shoes or even hoof boots may reduce concussion compared with metal shoes.
 
If he's 19, can he not go on bute daily? I believe you have a 2 year grace period before you need to worry about side effects (this is only what I think, your vet will tell you more)

My TB is on NoBute and Cortaflex which seems to keep him comfortable. Keeping mobile is vital and he has regular exercise in walk, on an outline (he needs topline otherwise he's too sore) with the occaisional trot and canter if the ground is right. He seems to enjoy this and we still achieve alot. Mine has a magnetic neck rug (where the worst arthritis is) which warms up the muscles before exercise and helps with a gentle warm down afterwards. IMO Magnets are not a miracle cure, but do alleviate some of the aches and pains.

To be honest, I do my best to keep him comfortable, and if the ground is right I'm starting to realise he might as well enjoy himself with a canter, as I'd rather he ended his days with a happy buck and squeal.
 
My mare started showing signs of arthritis at 23. As she was so old the vet and I put her on half a sachet of bute a day, I kept riding her several times a week and I soon learned what would cause her to sore the next day and just reduced her work sightly unil she wasn't. We had the same problem with her being stupid on rides. She would canter on the spot instead of trotting, jump about. Once we got her pain under control we tried to reduce her bute to half a sachet, but she was sore again. Then as she went down hill I put her up to a sachet a day. You'll soon learn what he can cope with and what he can't. There are loads of suppliment available if you don't want to use bute.
 
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