Feeding an OAP - supplements?

[supagran]

I have a 25yo home bred chestnut mare who is fully retired. She comes in when the weather is wet but otherwise lives out (with a rug in winter/autumn).

She is an extremely "good do-er" and always has been. Due to long term issues she is on Regumate permanently (vets advice!). I put the appropriate amount in a very small amount of veteran mix every day, and she also gets a very small amount of hay (which will increase as the grass stops growing). She is also (being an older lady) a bit stiff these days. I don't think she is getting enough hard feed to give her the amount of minerals/vitamins etc she needs, but I don't want to feed anymore hard feed for fear of her getting laminitis.

My question is – what is the best supplement I can give her to support mobility, etc etc etc? She loves to get a feed on an evening so I would propose to change her feed to a cheaper mix.

 

[paddi22]

devils claw is the only one i could see an actual improvement with

 

[KittenInTheTree]

NAF Glucosamine with MSM works well for my oldie. I add it to his feeds over winter each year.

 

[Orangehorse]

Local vet recommends Top Spec Veteran for elderly horses. I must say that it improved my old chap a lot during his last year. He was on bute for arthritis though..

 

[Peglo]

My pony is a very good doer but I want to get supplements in her so I feed her a molasses free chaff with her supplements and she enjoys her feed. It’s under 10% sugar and starch so should be the same as feeding hay but a bucket so exciting.

I know this is quite controversial but when my oldie was getting on I put magnet boots on and when I took them off to clean and dry I noticed a difference in her. I only bought them as thought it wouldn’t hurt but they seemed to help her.

 

[dorsetladette]

Dodson and Horrell have just launched there senior balancer - might be worth a look.

 

[JoannaC]

I've recently started using Progressive Earth Pro Joint Supreme as I was already using the balancer which made a real difference to their feet. It's not cheap though.

 

[CarlungM]

A good collagen supplement can help