Arthritis??

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Scot123

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Sorry all, am going through a phase of needing a lot of advice at the moment!! Just wondering if arthritis can often show up in this way...

Pony not lame in the field - cantering and frolicking about with no problems. Not stiff in the mornings. Walks/trots pretty well on soft ground. But...

Not keen to trot on hard surfaces and also stumbles frequently on hard surfaces - whether ridden or led inhand.

She's 16 and not been worked much in recent years. Vet suspects arthritis but at this stage maybe not worth sending for xrays etc.

A course of Danilon made a small improvement in that she was more forward going on the hard surfaces, but still stumbling.

Farrier can't find problem with hooves.

Does this sound like arthritis??

I'm hoping this phase of needing constant advice will soon pass (though fast learning with horses this is perhaps a bit hopeful!) and thanks for your patience in the meantime!!
 
It could well be early arthritic changes, has the vet looked at her and done flexion tests or nerve blocks to see where the issue originates? It should not be difficult to find which area is of concern and just xray there to see if anything shows without having to go through a complete examination, it makes sense to find out what is wrong before it gets worse, leaving it may make it harder to treat successfully. The chances are it is bilateral so she will not look lame until one leg is blocked.
 
Thanks. Yes, vet has flexion tested but nothing conclusive showed up. Not nerve blocked - would that be the next step? I've put off xrays as where we live that means a long journey for a nervous pony. But I suppose that's the only way we'll really find out. I suppose I was thining, if it's arthritis, why doesn't it show up in the field? Why can she caper around there without problems? Does the softness of the ground just make enough of a difference?
 
Arthritis can show in blood tests - does it always show up? How come they don't offer that straight away instead of suggesting xrays?

And why do you think Navicular? Sorry, that sounds a bit rude, it's not meant to be at all! I just am so keen to hear all views, I'd be really interested to know.
 
Nerve blocks would be the next step but if the flexion tests were fine they may also be inconclusive, most vets have the means to xray at your yard so you should not have to travel, in its early stages arthritis may just show on the hard or when going over uneven ground, try a good supplement and see if that helps, it may be that once the ground gets softer she gets a little better any way, this dry spell can be hard on the joints when they are constantly on hard ground and shows up more when you ask they to do something on even harder ground such as a track or road.
 
Unfortunately our vets don't have the means to bring xray to us, so it's definitely a long trip involved! But maybe will have to do it...

No, she's only on a general balancer just now, not a joint supplement - I'll get on the forums and read what's recommended.

I'm also going to try some hoof boots to see if they cushion things a bit for her?

It's so hard when things aren't conclusive, if only there was a definite 'yes or no' answer...
 
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