HeresHoping
Well-Known Member
I've had a search on here for Cartrophen but posts are mostly more than 5 years old. My little mare is struggling more than usual with her hocks and it's time to talk options with the vet. She's 17, an ex brood mare and probably suffering from EMS although we haven't confirmed. Cushings negative and very low, but gets a bit cresty, has fat pads unless carefully managed (which, this spring, is proving somewhat difficult). She seems to get stiff through the winter and loosens off in the warm weather.
Last year the vet and I discussed whether to inject the hocks and he was a little concerned with the lami risk. But, she was coping very well at that point and we decided that the work and diet were doing enough and to listen to her. We listened and she was happy all the way through to December and then started to stiffen in the colder weather. She's now out over night (muzzled) and in on diet hay (soaked) during the day, nothing else as she only needs to see a food bowl to put weight on; and because she's a bit stiff, not yet up to doing enough fast work (once or twice a week) as recommended by the vet last year.
Last night she was teaching my 11 yo daughter the ropes and she was struggling with canter, particularly on the left rein which is her worse hock (she's barefoot and throws flare on the off fore to compensate). Time to discuss the next steps but I'd like to be clear on what they might be and my opinions are informed. She's probably not long for this world anyway as she is full of melanoma. I always said that if they get in her parotids or her eyes I would have to make some bigger decisions. She has now developed one on her eyelid. However, she is our darling girl and we love her to pieces.
So, any recent experiences of Cartrophen? Arthramid? New supplements? Hippy dippy options (not turmeric, I am not sure of its efficacy in horses and I have tried it; similarly, Boswellia)? And what has been the cost, if you don't mind me asking?
Thank you.
Last year the vet and I discussed whether to inject the hocks and he was a little concerned with the lami risk. But, she was coping very well at that point and we decided that the work and diet were doing enough and to listen to her. We listened and she was happy all the way through to December and then started to stiffen in the colder weather. She's now out over night (muzzled) and in on diet hay (soaked) during the day, nothing else as she only needs to see a food bowl to put weight on; and because she's a bit stiff, not yet up to doing enough fast work (once or twice a week) as recommended by the vet last year.
Last night she was teaching my 11 yo daughter the ropes and she was struggling with canter, particularly on the left rein which is her worse hock (she's barefoot and throws flare on the off fore to compensate). Time to discuss the next steps but I'd like to be clear on what they might be and my opinions are informed. She's probably not long for this world anyway as she is full of melanoma. I always said that if they get in her parotids or her eyes I would have to make some bigger decisions. She has now developed one on her eyelid. However, she is our darling girl and we love her to pieces.
So, any recent experiences of Cartrophen? Arthramid? New supplements? Hippy dippy options (not turmeric, I am not sure of its efficacy in horses and I have tried it; similarly, Boswellia)? And what has been the cost, if you don't mind me asking?
Thank you.