Desperate for feed advice - hock fusion.

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Scheherezade

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If anyone could give me an idea of what products/type of feeds would be best, I would be so, so grateful! I am going to ring a feed company on Monday, but obviously they only ever recommend their own products!

Ok, so previously my horse as a 3/4 year old was fed a cool mix with alfa a oil, cod liver oil & general supplement.

He is now 4.5years, diagnosed with OCD (a spavin I think?), and we are trying to get the bones to fuse.

He is rather chubby, fed ad lib haylege. Lives in as yard is too slippy to cross! However when I can turn him out, I do, and he gets time in the school to run about and stretch 1-2 days a week.

As he was starting to bulge, I've taken him off the alfa, and he just has the mix, BUT - is it worth switching to Blue Chip Dynamic http://www.bluechipfeed.com/dynamic-faq.html
or a feed balancer in general?

Is devils claw/glucosamine worth it - if so, NAF or equine america?

I've only ever fed horses a mix and a chaff, so I'm confused by all the other options out there!

Sorry for long post
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If you are looking to feed a balancer, have a look at the top spec senior one. it has the full 10:10 joint supplement in it. I feed it to my tb mare who has bone spavin. It has made a big difference to her. It looks expensive at around £40 but it lasts for ages. It has the full ration of glaucosamine in it so you don't need to buy extra. I feed it with the cool condition cubes which is about £10 a bag. Give top spec a call, they are really helpful. i know they get a rep for being expensive but because you use less of it, it is really cost effective.

She has gone from being lame, to just a bit stiff, to being totally sound.

just noticed your boy is much younger so i would give them a call, i just mentioned the veteran one because of the joint thing.
If you decide to go for a supplement, then have a look at this. my friend uses it for her younger arthritic horse and has had good results.
http://www.equineanswers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProdID=4

had another thought, if he is chubby, how about just the balancer in a wee handful of his chaff.
 
Thanks! That's a really helpful answer
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I think a balancer with chaff how you mention is a good idea. He has a likit ball for when he is in which I put a few handfuls of pony nuts in.

I'll ring top spec (and my vet!) on Monday.
 
spavin is different from OCD- i think you mean DJD however he is very young for that!
However, they both in involve cartilage and bone degradation so you want a good allround supplement such as cosequin,cortaflex or the other glucosamine supplement equine america do. or another clinically proven supplement. dont waste your money on the cheaper alternatives!
and follow a standard diet to reduce weight, ie hay and a balancer as feeding him pony nuts etc really wont help, you really really need to get the weight off to stand a fighting chance! hope that helps.
 
I think recovey has more to do with getting the weight off and get the horse out of his stable and exercising more.
OCD or DJD cannot be cured by consuming neutriceuticals.
That is an advertising myth used to fleece you of your money.

Some may help a bit, or for a time, depending on the severity and location of the damaged joint,but in most cases surgery and pain relief coupled with exercise, plus a bit of luck and time defines the final outcome.
 
QR

Sorry - he's not *that* overweight. He was at the vets last week for the joint injections and the vet said he was looking well and in good condition. He advised "something with MSM or glucosamine to reduce swelling. Is devils claw a good bute substitute?

He doesn't have DJD, it's definately OCD. It's me getting confused with spavins and fusions. It's OCD, and we're trying to get the hock to fuse.

Trust me, if we can get him out, we will, if only beause it saves mucking out time and the cost of shavings! The vet advised paddock rest but the yard is concrete and literally sheet ice. I'll get him out for a solid week, then get the vet back out.

Thanks storm, that's very interesting. I suppose a simple balancer and chaff would be best. I am loathe to remove the ball as he enjoys throwing it round the stable, and he can get quite 'depressed' being in 24/7. I didn't think a handful of nuts a day would make much difference?

Thanks!
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Having personal experience of Devils Claw root extracts I would say no, its not a good subsitute for the real thing.
I spent a lot of money over 3 years feeding my mare (pedal ostitis) this stuff and riding her thinking she was out of pain. When I eventually had her shod in natural balance shoes she went completely sound, her gait changed, she became forward going and was never a misery again. I feel so guilty that I put her through so much pain riding her, thinking that the stuff was doing some good.
I think feeding something like MSM powders or Glucosamine sulphates is the best thing to do if you want to try a supplement , ( very costly though) as they have a proven record for helping cartilage problems, but OCD is a serious problem ( if its only in one joint - it may be as a result of trauma, rather than a generalised problem found in fast growing, overfed, large youngsters, - and therefore not be so bad )

Do get him out and working in straight lines as much as possible( not circles) Often youngsters get better as a result off just being turned away for a few years and left to recover on their own.
I had a friend who large ID was riddled with it at 3 and had to be PTS, - so sad but I would have turned him away and waited.

My youngster, big IDX too, was suspected of having it in the stifle but x rays showed nothing, though he has remained stiff on one rein in canter and always struggles.
I did a lot of research on the subject at the time, so I think I know what I am talking about.
Dont throw money away on pills and potions, there is so much out there today and its IMO is a big con.

Best of luck
 
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