Do you rug your overweight arthritics?????

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bumblelion

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As title really. My idxwb has osteo arthritis. He's also had both stifles operated on in past and his near stifle is prone to locking. He does get quite stiff at times too. He's 10yo and full of life and he's unridden. I find no bute keeps him comfortable daily at the moment. Soon my boys will both be coming in at night for the winter as my fields wouldn't cope with 24/7 turnout.
He's a bit of a bruiser, very chunky, however he is carrying a bit of extra weight! I normally manage his feed intake but keep him unrugged as much as possible, unless really bad! However, this year he's getting slightly stiffer, so am I best keeping him warmer for his joints or unrugged for his weight??
 
Magnetic boots for the field or magnetic wraps for the stable. Is he stiff when he's been in the field or when he's been in the stable? Our Little Lad stiffens up when stabled, so he's out 24/7 (was in during the day for a few hours when the grass started turning as he's laminitic).
 
I found warmth kept my arthritic-y mare more comfortable than anything else - leg wraps were great for her - she was a lot older though (25+) so it might have been her age as much as anything.
Something that helps some horses but not others are magnetic wraps.

ETA: if he has locking stifles talk to your vet about his weight - sometimes it does not help if a horse is lean.
 
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I would rug while stabled and unless the weather is bad turnout without one, he can move around to keep warm in the field but not in the stable. I also would try magnetic boots.
 
I'd add to BP's suggestion by saying if it's raining, put a rain sheet on. Cold and wet can be a miserable combination. LL shivers in heavy rain, so will be wearing a rainsheet when the weather dictates, and he'll be a lot more content :)
 
Keep him warm but address the weight problem as being overweight will make the arthritis worse.

CAn he do work in walk as this will help the arthritis and also the locking stifle, the better muscled behind the better stifles are.
 
Evelyn said:
Keep him warm but address the weight problem as being overweight will make the arthritis worse.

CAn he do work in walk as this will help the arthritis and also the locking stifle, the better muscled behind the better stifles are.
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Yes this is what I thought! He can do work in walk, and I try and do some inhand with him often. He can trot, although dishes. My tb ensures he's well exercised in the field, they both bomb about, broncing!! I'm going to do some light hacking with him next spring, vet wants him chilling for a bit!

Hi everyone, he has bioflows, leg wraps and an equissage. It was the rug situation that I was wondering about! I'v decided though to rug lightly in extreme cold, damp weather and otherwise leave unrugged. I will rug him in stable though. I just spoke to a nice lady at simple systems and she suggested doing this also as a rug's not going to keep his legs warm! Also it may encourage him to move about more!
 
MrsMozart said:
Magnetic boots for the field or magnetic wraps for the stable. Is he stiff when he's been in the field or when he's been in the stable? Our Little Lad stiffens up when stabled, so he's out 24/7 (was in during the day for a few hours when the grass started turning as he's laminitic).
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He stiffens when stabled. Bit worried about this winter. I can't keep him out 24/7 as my fields are clay soil, so get so poached and literally turn into knee deep mud! Plus he loves being in and my tb wouldn't appreciate being kept out 24/7 with him! I'v only got the two at home you see, so can't separate them!
 
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