Tarragon
Well-Known Member
I have tried doing searches on this topic to see if it has been discussed before but I feel it is one of those topics that is a bit of a moving target as new developments are made.
I also haven't discussed this with a vet as I feel that at the moment it is just old age - he is probably an equivalent age to me so I understand what it feels like to need time to get going!
I have a 22 year old Exmoor pony that is still regularly ridden and driven, but in light work. He lives out all year round (in the winter he has access to a 10 acre field) and has open access to stables at all times. He grows a coat like a yak in the winter and he has a small bib clip to help prevent heating up when ridden and isn't rugged. He gets Thunderbrooks chaff and basemix daily and a wedge of hay to supplement grazing when he is hungry. He has been on one tablet of prascend daily for Cushings for the last 4 years. He is well in himself and not lame, BUT, he starts off a little stiff and with a short stride, not helped by the fact that 90% of our rides start off riding down hill, and takes time to warm up. He recently came back from a 15 mile tough ride (as in hard terrain and hilly) and was stiffer than usual the following day, so I think I overdid it that time, but it also has made me wonder if I should be doing something to help.
I am not normally one for supplements, for me or for the ponies, but I am wondering if there is anything on the market, either herbal or not, that may be useful? It will be very difficult for me to gauge how effective any supplement is as I don't suppose I am very demanding of him in the first place.
The alternative is to just make allowances for him and keep going as we are.
What do people think?
I also haven't discussed this with a vet as I feel that at the moment it is just old age - he is probably an equivalent age to me so I understand what it feels like to need time to get going!
I have a 22 year old Exmoor pony that is still regularly ridden and driven, but in light work. He lives out all year round (in the winter he has access to a 10 acre field) and has open access to stables at all times. He grows a coat like a yak in the winter and he has a small bib clip to help prevent heating up when ridden and isn't rugged. He gets Thunderbrooks chaff and basemix daily and a wedge of hay to supplement grazing when he is hungry. He has been on one tablet of prascend daily for Cushings for the last 4 years. He is well in himself and not lame, BUT, he starts off a little stiff and with a short stride, not helped by the fact that 90% of our rides start off riding down hill, and takes time to warm up. He recently came back from a 15 mile tough ride (as in hard terrain and hilly) and was stiffer than usual the following day, so I think I overdid it that time, but it also has made me wonder if I should be doing something to help.
I am not normally one for supplements, for me or for the ponies, but I am wondering if there is anything on the market, either herbal or not, that may be useful? It will be very difficult for me to gauge how effective any supplement is as I don't suppose I am very demanding of him in the first place.
The alternative is to just make allowances for him and keep going as we are.
What do people think?
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