Arthritus in horses - how do you combat it?

[Hels_Bells]

My 31 year old (Sam) has artritus and is on bute prescribed by the vet to treat it. He also gets plenty of codliver oil in his feed.

He's at the stage at the moment where I think I need to up his dosage as he's quite stiff but wondering what other products/supplements/alternatives there are out there which help treat it. So just looking for general suggestions on other things I could try before I resort to upping the bute dose.

 

[l0ngn0r]

My 31 year old (Sam) has artritus and is on bute prescribed by the vet to treat it. He also gets plenty of codliver oil in his feed.

He's at the stage at the moment where I think I need to up his dosage as he's quite stiff but wondering what other products/supplements/alternatives there are out there which help treat it. So just looking for general suggestions on other things I could try before I resort to upping the bute dose.

I use Zerobute from Feedmark and have done for nearly 4 years. I have an 18.1 Irish Draught X so he is a big lad. He is doing very well on it, he also has Extraflex by Feedmark, which is helping him stay supple. I have been very pleased with the results.

 

[Hels_Bells]

Thanks L0ngn0r - I will definitely look into both!

 

[mattilda]

My ols lad is also 31 nad he has arthritis in both his hocks. He is currently on 1 Danilon a day in his evening feed. He also gets Maxaflex which made a huge difference to him.
At one point he could hardly pick up his hinds for me to do his feet but now he holds them up ready for me to do. He is still a little stiff but moves easily enough for a hack out a couple of times a week and a quick hoon around the field when the mood arises!!

 

[AGAGE]

My 18 year old boy has arthritis in his hocks. The vet recommended Cosequin to treat this. As far as I'm aware Cosequin is the only supplement to have been put through rigorous drugs trials and been found to work. Ted isn't on bute as it wasn't felt that he needed it, as he seems relatively comfortable and doesn't do much other than light hacking/schooling. Cosequin is expensive though, I'm in the process of considering using this, so don't yet know if it will work for Ted.

I've tried bluechip dynamic with Ted before but found that it didn't make any real difference.

When I worked as a groom on a livery yard where most of the horses were geriatric, most were on liquid cortaflex, the owners seemed to think it helped. I can't really comment as I hadn't ridden the horses before they were put onto it.

 

[horseriderdeb]

My 20 year old 18.2hh shire has arthritis in his hocks and I have tried lots of things. I have now gone down the homeopathic route and at the moment this is working well. He has even come off his 2 danilon a day.

 

[Cliqmo]

Off the shelf: Premierflex HA by Equine America
On Prescription: Cosequin

Can thoroughly recommend both, although at £90+/pot Cosequin is quite a serious commitment! x x x

 

[Hels_Bells]

Thanks all - some fab advice and suggestions all of which I will bear in mind!

Horseriderdeb - would you mind giving me some detail on what you are using as the "homeopathic route"??

 

[Toffee44]

How long does a 700g Cosequin last at maintence level, horse is 550kg? Am tempted as vet suggested this ages ago (Kind of slipped my mind because of the price) but I found a old post on here about the product and I am very tempted to use it now.

 

[Toffee44]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=161509

I am using balsamic vinegar (1/2 cup) and soya oil at the moment. Has "no bute" when its wet and cold. Shes more free than she was but still very short on her off side.

 

[Cliqmo]

How long does a 700g Cosequin last at maintence level, horse is 550kg? Am tempted as vet suggested this ages ago (Kind of slipped my mind because of the price) but I found a old post on here about the product and I am very tempted to use it now.

The first one, which we got direct from the vets at a shocking £146!! lasted a month as you have to feed a 'loading dose' however the next pot (£90 online) lasted just shy of 3mths (and my horse is 750kg!)

If you are tempted you really should give it a go, I saw a massive change in just a week or so!

 

[Toffee44]

Hmmmmm I think student loan (in two weeks) is coming in and going out

 

[mudmonkey17]

Blue chip dynamic and devils relief on which he is doing really well. Was on synequin few year ago that seemed to help but then found that the blue chip worked much better. Also wears egg bar shoes and these have ade a huge difference.

 

[Chumsmum]

My 18yo pony has Bone Spavin - he is on one Bute a day and in light work. He was on Synequin while being paid for by my insurance but haven't noticed any difference since off it though it's obvious if he hasn't had his Bute. Have tried Top Spec Senior which has a supplement in but didn't notice a difference, will probably try others.

Management wise I've found it's better if he is living out 24/7 though bring him in if very bad weather and use magnetic boots while in. Also better if in regular light work.

Also forgot to say that he has lateral extensions on his hind shoes that farrier believes helps a lot.

 

[StickyToffee]

You can buy cosequin really cheaply from the US, a 1400g tub ships for £127 from entirelypets.com they have deals on the whole range far cheaper than I've seen anywhere online on the uk

 

[horseriderdeb]

Have sent you a message

 

[the watcher]

Serrapeptase is well worth a google too.

 

[dnelly]

I USE FRANKINCENSE OR Boswellia

 

[monstermunch]

Riaflex complete and 50:50 have worked wonders on my golden oldie. Actually even if you don't want the products it's worth going on the website just to get some free advice off the lady who formulates them. She is a qualified therapist and gave me very useful advice.
www.riaflex-equine.co.uk

 

[potty_4_piebalds]

Having had a cob myself with degenerative hock disease, although my cob was only 8 when diagnosed, i tried stride very good but expensive £60 for 4 weeks, chinese herbal biscuits! cider vinegar cod liver oil, lightly ridden daily mainly walk kept very fit. cortrazone injections, never tried as only found out about later but know they worked for someone else, to cut a long story short, he was put on one bute a day, unfortunatly didnt maintain the pain so upped to two bute, would not reccomend this in hindsight as only masked the problem cannot cure this disease, I think a 31 year old pony does not need to suffer this disease, that cannot be cured. A very hard decision may have to be made. As we had masked the problem ie bute did not relise pain pony was in this induced stress related colic pony was sadly put to sleep. Sorry for sad reply but do feel strongly on this point.

 

[splashgirl45]

i have found cortaflex to help they seem to be less stiff. i have arthritis myself and used to take cortaflex and i found it helped me in the same way. i only stopped because it was too expensive and i have changed to a cheaper alternative. needless to say my horse is on the best i can afford!!!!!