Arthritus? Competing?

[Stormy123456]

Ballet is 15, and a very low milage eventer/allrounder, today she came in from the field with a very stiff movement behind. One leg seemed fine, but the other seemed very "Shuffle-like", and could really feel it when riding her, corners too, she practically fell over on. But practising our dressage test, 2 days before she was fine.

Instructor had a look at her yesterday and today, and said that it could be arthritus as Ballet is sometimes a tiny bit stiff, (but a loose warmup usually sorts it out), but if it is arthritus is it the end to their competitive career (We compete at BE Novice/PC Open)? Is there anything that can help it? Or anything like that?

Last year we had to pull out of a event because of her beinga bit stiff, and now have withdrawn from Monday's event due to her being the worst she's ever been.

The vet is coming out on Tuesday, but not sure what to expect if that makes sense?

 

[superpony]

I think it depends on the individual horse and how bad the artritis is.

My gelding was diagnosed with artritis in his hocks when he was 8, that was 4 years ago. He does hacking and dressage, if hes done alot of schooling then sometimes he can be abit stiff but generally he is ok. I feed him cortaflex and this seems to do great things for him, he also wears bioflow magnetic boots occasionally.

Good luck for the vets on tuesday. She could just have pulled something. Let us know how you get on.