DJD - Experiences in management please?

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WinniethePoo

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Hi, just wondered if anyone has had experience of this and how they managed it?
I have a 14.1 hh 20 yr old ArabxConnie mare with DJD in both hocks, she's on 1 Danilon a day, along with Riaflex. She has good days and bad days, some days the hocks are a little puffy and warm, others cold.
Vet has advised gentle hacking at walk three times a week. She's out 24/7 with full access at all times to a well bedded down stable.
When she does go out you would never know she has a problem, she marches out quite happily, and doesn't seem to want to retire altogether, she's very keen to get out and get going, but she does happily accept that we walk everywhere these days!
She does drag her hinds and seems generally uncomfortable when she's having a bad day, I don't ride her if she's like that - but not sure if I'm doing the right thing?
I'm just concerned as to how she will cope now that the weather is getting colder, and if she can't be ridden as much due to weather conditions, daylight etc. and basically if there is anything more I can be doing to ease the condition. I have bought some magnetic wraps, haven't tried them yet as it would mean keeping her in when they're on and being stabled makes her quite stiff and uncomfortable and she's just not happy with the idea.
I have wondered if I could put them on for a couple of hours a day, if I supervise her? She does have her mad moments in the field!
I am soo sorry for the length of this post - it's hard to explain quickly!
 
Hey,

My 20yr old tb/welsh d mare has DJD. She was very lame and in alot of pain a few years ago and we had her hocks injected, it helpded her out alot.

As for managing it now, she is only on the danalon when she is very sore, she is stabled at night and out in the day. I have rubber matting and a very thick shavings bed to keep her hooves warm and she has quilted magnet wraps for night time which help loads. I also have bio flow boots for her to wear out in the feild it needed. Work wise my mare still thinks she is a 2 yearold, which doesn't help her DJD, she doesn't jump and just does light schooling and hacking.
On her sore and stiff days i don't ride her and give her a few days of danalon, or if i need to up it to two a day.

Hope this helps.
xx
 
slightlyconfused said:
Hey,

My 20yr old tb/welsh d mare has DJD. She was very lame and in alot of pain a few years ago and we had her hocks injected, it helpded her out alot.

As for managing it now, she is only on the danalon when she is very sore, she is stabled at night and out in the day. I have rubber matting and a very thick shavings bed to keep her hooves warm and she has quilted magnet wraps for night time which help loads. I also have bio flow boots for her to wear out in the feild it needed. Work wise my mare still thinks she is a 2 yearold, which doesn't help her DJD, she doesn't jump and just does light schooling and hacking.
On her sore and stiff days i don't ride her and give her a few days of danalon, or if i need to up it to two a day.

Hope this helps.
xx
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Thanks for that, it does, she has had the injection in her hocks, and has improved lots. I'm going to give the wraps a go for a few hours a day too. I know what you mean, she hasn't got the message that she's an old lady either! x
 
classicalfan said:
It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I know it's tempting to do more on her good days but unfortunately it will lead to more bad days more often. Good luck!
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Thank you (I'm a bit arthritic too, so we do understand each other, Lol! Some days we look at each other and say, well, my hocks are rubbish and your hips are crap, how about a good groom instead?):D
 
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