Arthritus - advice needed on riding, welfare and magnets!

Spot_the_Risk

Spot_the_Risk

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www.animalcrackersdevon.co.uk
My 18 year old cob (in sig) has been diagnosed with arthritic changes in his hocks, has been on bute twice a day for a week, and is now ending his second week on bute once a day. He's muzzled by night, and in a nearly bare yard by day with a bit of Hifi lite, Fast Fibre etc, in the hope that he'll drop some weight (he hasn't lost any in the week he's been on this routine). His hocks are definitely warmer on the inside, and he is a bit stiff behind through them, but happy (apart from the muzzle!) in himself. I rode him a week ago to trial how he felt, just for 20 mins on the roads, he was over the moon to be out and felt fine in walk and right trot, and unlevel in left trot, which is normal (old injury).

I am going to call the vet again next week for his opinion, but I'd like a wider view, so bearing in mind the heat in the hocks, should I continue to do a small amout of riding, in walk, on the roads, and just leave him in the field and hope the heat goes. He had no heat in them Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this week, I was surprised that they were warm again yesterday - he's not one for hooning around in the field.

Also (while you're here!) views on the use of magnets - I have Bioflow tendon wraps, the old style which have to be bandaged in place, but I can't find any info on whether they should be in place specifically before, during or after exercise, other than that they shouldn't be left on for more than 12 hours.

Skinny latte and Weight watchers toffee bar for anyone who gets this far!
 
I use the old style bioflow wraps too, my boy has stifle OCD annd can get a liittle stiff if standing in for a while. I put them on overnight for around 12 hours
 
I use bio flow magnetic boots and they are really good put them on my mare overnight and they help loads, I notice the difference if I forget! Have u thought of trying some of the joint supplements such as superflex? My mare has been having super flex for years! I also kno someone who gives cidar vinegar for her old horse and he is More spritely and less stiff on this. Devils claw is also good! My mare is 16 and ridden 5 days a week. Mostly hacking but I do have the odd lesson.
 
We have a 26 year old with arthritic-y knees. She has gentle exercise nearly everyday (usually under saddle), wears magnets overnight and we wrap her legs if the weather is at all cold - the warmth really seems to help. We bring her in overnight to give her a bit of respite from either hard ground or frosty ground but she is turned out all day everyday.

Also talk to your farrier/vet about remedial shoeing - we have found that this has made lots of difference to our old lady.
 
Thanks catkin for your advice. My lad has been barefoot for a few years now, he has boots in front, and I'm now going to put back boots on too, both with 12mm thick comfort pads in, they should help. Farrier has known him for years, and is now rolling his hind toes to help with breakover.
 
Hi my old boy has got arthritis he has it in his front shoulder from an injury and the his fetlocks seem to have been the main problem although never hot or swollen and he is usually a bit stiff if stood in for a long time but in winter has boots on inside to help keep him warm and that helps, he was ridden regularly for about 2 years but due to cold weather etc over winter we stopped ridding him and just decided to let him retire now altho he still goes in hand on roads for a look around!! I havnt had magnets on him so cant say about that, but he goes out everyday and in at night as he can then ly on soft bedding although if very nice warm nights he does stay out in summer. He is now on 1 bute daily and very happy in himself really aslong as u mange it they do well. try to keep riding though as it does help keep them supple etc. all the best to u x
 
My boy has arthritus in his hocks, i regularly put bioflow magnetic brushing boots on his back legs overnight. I also feed him cortaflex. I still hack, school and compete in dressage, but if he does alot i do notice he is alot stiffer behind and often needs a few days off to recover.
 
Nadia has arthritis in her hocks. She lives out, gets Pernamax tablets everyday and is ridden at least 4 times per week.
She has had two courses of Tildren treatment and is now sound although she still does get stiff.
 
Hey yes he is still ridden, hes 8 and despite having the OCD is in good form! previosly had bilateral stifle effusion. My RI sat on him the other week and commented on how loose and supple he is. I use him for schooling and hacking. he is also given NAF superflex too
 
Toffee is 17 and has arthirtic changes in her hocks. Shes unlevel in any gait. I "lightly" hack her. She has premier flex and balsamic vineger and corn oil. Although she is unlevel she has her spring back and was more than capable at bolting the other day at the scary beer can chasing us down the road. The vet has basically said to me to bute her, however at the moment I feel she is fine and very much her self. I will bute her prior to a canter and gallop (shes a pony who just loves a good blast) however we havent done that for ages. Vet has advised I do not school her or jump her. She does have magnetic boots however she just stomps them off and shes on full turnout so they just slip down.


I take it day by day with her shes my baby and I will just do what is necessary to keep her comfortable, I had a bit secret smile on my face when she took off because thats how she used to be--bit of a pyscho. Shes a proper bouncy welshy head up, tail up and a good snort at the dragon in the hedge.
Only recently she has come back to being her old self, I wonder if the arthritus is settling now????????
 
We went through months of vets and trying to diagnose what was wrong with Chalky, we even had a back physio person out, but we finally found out that it was Arthritis in his hocks, also called Osteoarthritis and Bone Spavin? So of he went to be x-rayed [had to be doped, which, much as I love him, I found very amusing seeing him as such a dobbin] and luckily he only had the beginnings of it, so we opted to have an injection called 'Tildren' and it cost about £350 but we think it has helped a lot [touch wood], and he is only 12 so it isn't as though he is old, but he did SJ alot at his old home, we also give him a glucosamine supplement [corta-flex or something?] Cider vinegar, and im starting to give him nettles, as I read they are good for arthritis and laminitis, and as we have lots in our hedgerows, I figured it cant harm him to dry some out and give him along with all his other supplements!

I haven't tried magnetic boots, as they are quite expensive? But I hope you find something that works soon :D
 
My 18yo pony has Bone Spavin, was diagnosed 2/3 years ago. Had injections but they stopped working so he is just a light hack now on one Bute per day - I'm trying various other supplements but nothing has made a difference so far. He also has lateral extensions on his hind shoes.

We just walk on hacks now but occasionly he feels full of beans and wants to trot/canter - I love these days but they make me sad too because they remind me of how he used to be..

I've noticed that the slightest knock can make him lame, he is a lot more fragile.

He normally lives out 24/7 as better when moving around but can see a difference with magnetic boots if he does come in.
 
My mare Bonnie was diagnosed with arthritic changes in her hocks last year, and was given steroid injections. She was on box rest for a week or so after, then given a few months off in the field, and has been sound since I've brought her back into work. I've found that as long as she is out 24/7, she is not stiff at all. When she was stabled during the snow earlier this year, she did seem a little off. My advice to you is to keep turned out as much as possible, and do lots of gentle work to keep everything moving! :)
 
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