Feedback from Devils Claw?

[sanjo]

Has anyone had success from feeding Devils Claw for tendon injuries? Load of old piffle or any positive evidence?
Thanks all.

 

[ycbm]

It's banned for use in competition after scientific testing, if definitely isn't old piffle.

But it (harpagoside) is an anti inflammatory and a pain reliever normally used for arthritic type problems. What were you hoping it would do for a tendon?
..

 

[sanjo]

Thanks, yes I was aware it’s not FEI legal. Yes to arthritis and as a pain relief.

 

[ycbm]

Sorry, I don't understand. What's your question about using it for a tendon?
.

 

[sanjo]

To assist in pain relief. You hurt your back, you take ibuprofen. It acts as a muscle relaxant which aids recovery, as DC claims to also do. Except this time it’s a homeopathic and not a western medicine.
Asking for feedback from those that have used it in this situation.

 

[ycbm]

If a tendon needs pain relief it should, imo, be being prescribed a painkiller, bute being the most common, by the vet monitoring the injury.

Devil's Claw isn't homeopathy, it works with arthritis in some horses because it contains an active chemical, harpagoside.


ETA there are dangers in killing pain with a tendon injury. It can allow the horse to use the injured tendon and cause further damage. It needs a vet's input.
.

 

[TheMule]

To assist in pain relief. You hurt your back, you take ibuprofen. It acts as a muscle relaxant which aids recovery, as DC claims to also do. Except this time it’s a homeopathic and not a western medicine.
Asking for feedback from those that have used it in this situation.

Ibuprofen isn’t a muscle relaxant and Devil's Claw isn’t homeopathic.
Devil's Claw doesn’t claim to do anything- it's a herb.

 

[emilylou]

Bute is the horse equivalent of ibuprofen, both provide anti-inflammatory effect and pain relief and can cause gut issues if used long term

Devils claw has scientific evidence to support it provides anti-inflammatory effects on joints and surrounding soft tissues with long term use, however in an acute injury (such as a tendon injury) it should not be used as a replacement for actual medication and vetenairy (sorry, cant spell today!) care, its more designed to be used as a long term aide for chronic conditions such as arthritis to reduce dependence on bute due to the negative effects bute can have on the gut, however it wouldnt hurt to feed it as well as bute/vet care, if you want to throw everything at it, but its certainly no subsitute.

 

[dorsetladette]

Not a tendon injury, but i fed devils claw for a while for arthritic joints. I then swapped to Boswellia and had better results.

 

[Shysmum]

My 33 year old arthritic shetland has had his life turned around with Devils Claw.