Bringing an arthritic horse back into work/increasing its workload

[[106552]]

Hi there!
My 15.1 coloured cob (15 years) was diagnosed with arthritis in the coffin joint last year. It is mainly in his left fore and some degenerative changes are present in his right fore.
I have been at university for the last three years and he has been worked very lightly during this time- hacking acouple times a week. Then during holidays he was competing lightly- showing and showjumping once a fortnight.

I have recently graduated and returned home and am increasing his workload as he is quite unfit and abit overweight!
I was wondering what would be the best way to do this. i have started hacking him more, and have started doing one day on one day off, as I don't want to overface him due to his arthritis.

He has remedial shoeing on his both fores, and so far (touch wood) has remained sound and happy.

Any advice would be grand- am i doing him right in one day on/one day off?

thanks!

 

[sandie11261]

Hi Rachel, have you got him on any kind of joint supplement? if he has arthritis now ideally you would want to give him something to help. Everyone has their favourite products but I would suggest trying either equine america Glucosamine & MSM its very affordable, but if you can afford something even better then go for their new cortaflex regular solution only 19.99 for just under a litre.

 

[Izzwizz]

Hacking out is perfect for fittening and weight loss. I would do it all just in walk, a good marching pace. Agree with a good joint supplement unless you already have one from your Vet. Does he have any anti inflamm/pain relief such as Bute? I would start your hacks off as small ones and build up the distances over time. You could then do a short one one day, day off then a longer one and so on. Good luck with him.