between a rock and a hard place with arthritic pony, WWYD?

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sophiebailey

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Hi everyone

My 21yo is arthritic in his hocks and is struggling out hacking. Vet says its vital to keep him in work through the colder weather so he doesn't 'seize up'.

Herein lies my dilemma; the bloody weather!!

Field is totally waterlogged so cannot ride on the yard. Bridlepaths much the same, but churned and very deep, and he struggles to pick his way across them. Spending too long on the concrete makes him a little sore too, so I don't like to do much roadwork. I have no arena, so what do I do?!

I can't stop working him until the weather is better in case he seizes :(

Do any other arthritic horse' owners have this problem and what do you do to resolve it?

I was thinking about walking him out in hand to see if he finds it easier but then we can't go for little trots on the dry ground (his trot is ridiculously fast and I cannot keep up!)

Any advice? :)
 
Walk in hand until you get to the dry bit, then get on for a trot?

Otherwise... um... dunno. Do you have any part of a field that is dry and ice free later in the day that you could lunge or ride on?
 
Thanks Abacus, unfortunatley field is all sloppy everywhere :( not draining as yet. When its drier, its great to ride on but just lately its a bog!! Good idea though, might take mum with me to leg me up at different points!!

And yes Goldenstar he's on 1 danilon a day and devils claw + equiflex. Its less of a 'pain' thing that cause him to struggle I think, its just trudging through the thick mud with his stiff hocks and he's also really unfit as his workload has dropped off as he can't hack out for as long etc. Xx
 
I would lead him out in walk .
The hard road is not ideal but perhaps do two short ones a day if possible .
You can't magic away the weather only do your very best for him.
 
Seen as its going to be an ever increasing problem in the future, I'd be looking to move to a yard with year round suitable riding, whether that's dry hacking or well drained fields.
 
I'm on the waiting list for the local yards with arenas, hopefully will get a call soon but not convinced it will be this side of winter, fingers crossed though. Suitable hacking hasn't been an issue until this year, since its practically rained every day since April! The drainage ditches at the bottom of all the fields are now flowing with water, its insane! Bloody english weather!! He's fine when the ground firms up and will go for miles which is why its such a shame :( x
 
My arthritic 18yr old struggled to get through the churned up frozen mud to the field this morning.
So spent the morning emptying an old straw barn filling the holes in the mud and making a level walkway for both my horses, roped in my niece and grandson to help, then took them ice skating this afternoon as a reward, bless them they really worked hard
 
Mine has arthritis but cannot be ridden due to other problems. She lives out so gets slow exercise all the time. Are you able to keep out 24/7? My vet said she ought to be ridden plenty but for her other issues so do understand that is not a complete answer.
 
If you have the funds, I'd be inclined to put him on full schooling livery at a good competition Yard for the Winter, where he can get regular turnout and controlled expert exercise, until a place opens up with facilities that match his and your needs.:)

I really can't see any other option for you.
 
In hand walks even on hard ground is better than nothing, it will be the trotting that will cause major flare ups. Make sure you use stable chaps/boots or bandages to keep warmth in over night. Consider low level buting on particularly bad days just to take the edge off.
 
I dont tend to ride my arthritic one in winter - provided that he gets turnout. If he doesnt go out, I take him out to graze in hand or will take him for a pootle on the roads (we have a 20 mins circuit which is convenient).

Is he on a joint supplement? I would perhaps think about increasing the danilon - it is a catch-22 I hate gving him danilon to ride but mine becomes so fat that he puts even more weight on his hocks and becomes even more stiff which isnt helping anyone. Its horrible though - he doesnt want to go out and I feel dreadful having to literally drag him out.
 
Thank you everyone, I appreciate your advice, will get cracking with some in hand walks. He's so keen to go out but when he's out he tires so quickly.

Will have a look at some stable chaps. He's currently out 7.30am-6pm. He could be out 24/7, but his stiffness is worse when he's out 24/7 than if he's brought in out of the weather.

He's not stiff and lame in the field so I'm not too worried about his 'quality of life' he just seems to be finding the ground hard going!

:) thanks
 
Have you thought of polymer rather than steel shoes? my arthritic heavy cob has a new lease of life on the roads with these, takes the jarring away and protects more of the sole according to my farrier :-) pm me if you want any more details.
 
I'm guessing you already have him on a good joint supplement. Mine has been quite a lot better since she had her shoes off as it reduces the concussion to the joints. Another thing that helps is massage, both to the hamstrings as they get tight and to the loins as they get referred pain from arthritis. I use an equilibrium pad which is really helpful, but you could equally use your hands. I can't think of anything else that hasn't already been mentioned.
 
Thank you everyone, anniearab what are polymer shoes? And are they very expensive?

I suppose it could be good practice for me to long line him as I've never done it before! :)

And he's booked in with a lady who hires out her equilibrium pad on 22nd december, hoping to get the physio out with my christmas money to give him a really good massage.

Thanks again everyone! :)
 
sophiebailey said:
Thank you everyone, I appreciate your advice, will get cracking with some in hand walks. He's so keen to go out but when he's out he tires so quickly.

Will have a look at some stable chaps. He's currently out 7.30am-6pm. He could be out 24/7, but his stiffness is worse when he's out 24/7 than if he's brought in out of the weather.

He's not stiff and lame in the field so I'm not too worried about his 'quality of life' he just seems to be finding the ground hard going!

:) thanks
Click to expand...

Mine is out similar time (he goes out 6am - 5pm) - I also tried keeping him out 24/7 and he was very stiff in the really freezing cold/snow and stood at the gate in the mud waiting to come in. He does live out 24/7 in summer though which helps.

He has thermatex wraps on at night - just on back legs. This helps a lot with filled legs and he is slightly less stiff in the mornings.

I had to take his back shoes off; he just couldnt stand to be shod anymore. I think barefoot means slightly less concussion however he tends to be footy over gravel etc so not sure one is better than the other unless horse has good feet.
 
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