Artiritis -advice needed

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mar2505

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My horse has been diagnosed bi lateral lame with artiritis. Vet said 2 bute a day. He is lame when I first start working him. Yo says work him through it but I am getting myself upset about riding him lame. Can someone share their experiences please. I currently have him out at night as feel it's better he keeps moving but happy to take any advice.
 
My yo says that's the way it is now and not to call vet which is why I struggling emotionally, says well artiritis is like us when we start exercise, a bit stiff but work through it. I at my wits end cause yo is quite strong opinioned if that makes sense
 
It is not really fair riding a lame horse, if on 2 bute a day he is no better then I would get the vet back to check how he is, the YO may well be right but you need to know from the professional whether to continue to ride or not, when you say work are you hacking or schooling? many stiff horses will loosen up going for a nice gentle hack but pushing them in the school, even if you are not asking much, is a step too far and may make matters worse, especially the hocks which will be working fairly actively going on circles.

There may be more the vet can do to help, supplements may help, turmeric is very popular at the moment for helping with this type of condition.
 
You say bilateral lame, hock and fetlock? So lame in both hinds? How old? Hock athritis is problematic to be honest, but fetlock less so.
 
15 lame on one front and one back leg, it's the back that seems really stiff when hacking, not following through if that makes sense
 
As be Positive suggests turmeric all the way. I have all of mine on a heaped 30 ml scoop of turmeric, a mugfull of micronised linseed and 14 grinds of freshly ground black pepper in their feed. It has made an unbelievable difference to all of them. I have a veteran cob with changes she is now so mobile and nimble and at 21 yrs old we have completed around 10 long distance rides this summer including the 20 mile Newmarket ride with gallop. She has had no lameness or days off. She still managed to trot sprightly back to the lorry. I have a 5 yr old with aggressive ringbone in one fore and you wouldn't know she had it on the turmeric. I also have a WB with chronic sacro illiac dysfunction and his paces are really elevated since starting turmeric.

I could tell you loads of anecdotal stories like tumours and sarcoids shrinking but really best you research yourself. There is a turmeric user group on facebook you can join with files of information you can search. It really can make an incredible difference. It is a very powerful anti inflammatory and anti oxidant and also anti carcinogen so it can shrink tumours. I would also suggest using a body worker regularly as horses in pain will compensate so it's good to get them worked on too. I use a McTimoney therapist and now an osteopath who practices sacral cranial therapy.

Good luck op.
 
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This isn't making sense. Bilateral lameness is either front or hind pairs (usually fronts). I think you need to review with your vet exactly where the pain is and what it is before knowing how to proceed from here.
 
I think, ignore your yard owner and follow the advice from your vet. If vet says ride, then ride. Yard Owner is not a vet and presumably hasn't seen the x rays, extent of arthritis, etc. Just ignore them!

You could always talk to another vet if needed, if you're not sure about the advice you've been given. At the end of the day, you know your horse better than anyone.

I never believe in these fad supplements and things, but I did try turmeric and my stiff 32 year old mare suddenly started galloping across the field for her tea where she previously walked or trotted. I assumed a coincidence due to ground softening. Ran out of turmeric – she started only walking across field again. Back on it, and she’s a nutcase again, someone thought she was going to jump a five foot gate the other day she’s gallopinf that much. Might be worth a go…..
 
I have a horse with arthritis in his right fore foot - coffin joint. He is on one bute a day but is still slightly lame - worse in the summer when the ground is hard. There are times when he doesn't appear lame at all! However, you haven't said how long your horse has been on the bute. Bute takes time to build up in the system so the longer your horse is on it the more improvement you will see. The problem with arthritis in a horse is that it needs to be exercised. Try to stay on soft ground because any jarring will hurt. If you don't move your horse it will stiffen up and get worse. I too would recommend getting your vet back (regardless of what the YO says) and have another discussion - if possible, get another Vet to take a look. Definitely try the turmeric, micronised linseed and black pepper. Do look on the facebook group because there you will find how much to put in your horse's feed. Important to buy organic turmeric not just any old stuff. Don't get too downhearted. Good luck.
 
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