Can an old Arab with arthritis live out all year?

S

Serbask

New User
Joined
27 June 2012
Messages
9
Visit site
I keep going round in circles and getting myself stressed trying to work out what is best for my old man.

He is a 22 yo pure bred arab with osteoarthritis. He lives out in the summer at and has started coming in at night 3 weeks ago. He gets really stressed in his stable and bounces up and down for ages once he's in (imagine weaving but up and down with his head nodding) and in the morning. This is making his pain worse. He doesn't like going into his stable as he is really nervous and gets scared when the wind blows or trees brush against the roof. However, he does lie down every night so must settle at some point. When you see him in his stable it's obvious that he would be happier out, and he gets so stiff in the mornings after being in all night.

So I get to the point where I think it's better to keep him out. Then we get weather like we've had over the past few days and I can't imagine him being out in that. He is in 'old' condition. He has very little muscle tone and top line but has chubby thighs and a big tummy. When the weather is bad he looks miserable out, so I bring him in, and he gets stressed.

I have been offered a field with stables that can be left open for him to go in and out as he pleases- but I know he won't. He'll think there is a tiger waiting inside to pounce on him. There is good tree shelter though so he will get some protection, but he is american bred and old, and I worry that he's not hardy enough.

Any thought or advice will be greatly appreciated ...
 
Leave him out,well rugged and fed.If he starts to fail then rethink.
Our "oldies" live out but if they are not coping or develop a major problem,then they are put down.
 
All mine are out 24/7 all year.

I have a 22yr old ,a 18 yr old , 2 16 yr old and a 6 yr old Arabs plus a 24 yr old New Forest mare

They have a field shelter plus can get into the stables. Rugged up warm they are all happier to be out what ever the weather.

One of the geldings hates being in but will go into the stables and field shelter as long as the doors are open.

You will properly fine that he will be fine and better for being out (stiffness wise)
 
zippo said:
Leave him out,well rugged and fed.If he starts to fail then rethink.
Our "oldies" live out but if they are not coping or develop a major problem,then they are put down.
Click to expand...

Agreed. We're putting down our very aged lady next week (30+) as she's started to lose condition in the winter and doesn't enjoy the rain :0(
 
Serbask said:
I keep going round in circles and getting myself stressed trying to work out what is best for my old man.

He is a 22 yo pure bred arab with osteoarthritis.

but he is american bred and old, and I worry that he's not hardy enough.

Any thought or advice will be greatly appreciated ...
Click to expand...

Just curious, what does being American-bred have to do with him not being hardy enough?
 
He was born in Kentucky, USA and brought over as a youngster. I've assumed that as many generations before him have been bred into a much warmer drier climate that he may not cope as well with our British weather.

It makes sense in may head, although I am aware that it takes a very long time for a species to evolve.
 
My 26yo slightly creaky (although don't tell him that) arab copes far better living out. He'd be weaving himself to death and stiff as a board if he were in.

Some of the american bred horses are quite crabbetty (same origins) so are hardy as anything. Even if he's a more refined type, they soon acclimatise to where they are living.

ps I've put 2 and 2 together with your username and looked your boy up on all breeds - an interesting pedigree and those are some very crabbety/polish lines with a lot of Bask in there. My part bred is a Bask descendant too - Bask was a very very very tough horse, and there was some info about just how tough on one of the arab threads in the H&H pics forum. The crabbety types do sometimes get a bit saggy in the back and show their age when they're not working, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're struggling. Obviously you need to read the horse in front of you but there's no real reason for him not to be out. If you've got the option to have him somewhere where he can make his own mind up where he wants to be then that's ideal.
 
Last edited:
Some of the american bred horses are quite crabbetty (same origins) so are hardy as anything. Even if he's a more refined type, they soon acclimatise to where they are living.
Click to expand...

He has Serafix on both his mothers and fathers breeding (great grandad and great x2 grandad, which makes him 56% Crabbet apparently, though I'm not sure how these things are calculated.

His breeding probably actually explains why he's so wonky at 22 - so much incest!! http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/cr+serbask
 
I'd say that with adequate hay, shelter (either a well sheltered field, field shelter or free access to stable) and sensible rugging he should be fine. My 18 yr old cob with hock arthritis has spent the past 3 winters living out whilst on loan and I really do prefer him out all the time but unfortunately I can't find a yard near me where this is possible. PS My boy can also be a right wuss when it comes to wind and rain... he used to LOVE his field shelter!
 
I'd rug up and give him pain relief - a shorter comfortable life is far better than a longer stiff one (JMO), and if you can, maybe leave the stable door open some can wonder in if needs be.
Has he been tested for Cushings? If he has it, that makes it harder for them to regulate their temperature ... And it's not the end of the world if he comes back positive, most do at his age.
 
zippo said:
Leave him out,well rugged and fed.If he starts to fail then rethink.
Our "oldies" live out but if they are not coping or develop a major problem,then they are put down.
Click to expand...

This above.

I'd rather an arthritic be able to move freely than be stabled for long periods if possible.
 
Also agree that living out and rugged appropriately is preferable to stabling for an arthritic horse even if your horse did not mind being stabled. Arabs are generally pretty tough and can cope with the cold the desert gets very cold at night.

My 22 year old has arthritis and lives out with decent shelter. I do have to make sure she keeps warm but she is much happier being out and healthier for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top