Herbs for arthritis

[Bertolie]

My 20 year old gelding has been diagnosed with low grade bilateral hock arthritis and is currently on half a sachet of Danilon a day but we are hoping to phase this out and use something like NAF Devils Relief instead.

I have been looking into feeding herbs, either alongside or instead of prescription medicines, but there are so many different herbs that are supposed to help with arthritis/joints etc. that I am unsure which to try.

Meadowsweet, celery seeds, nettle and comfrey are ones that I have heard about - does anyone have any experience of using these (or other) herbs for arthritis?

Good, bad or indifferent reviews are all welcome.

 

[Casey76]

Just be aware that Devils Claw can be as hard on the stomach as bute.

I managed my old boys hock spavins with a mixture of ginger, tumeric and boswellia serrata; along with pure MSM and glucosamine.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My loan mare has arthritis and I'm thinking about giving her Cortaflex. I take it for myself and know its not a placebo coz if I forget to take it I'm as stiff as a board for the rest of the day!

Also, I've been researching the "Mojo" wristband technology. You can get them for humans but they also do them for horses and the testimonials (if they are to be believed, and I'm always cynical, are good). So I'm thinking about these, not made a decision yet....... if I do decide to try it I'll buy one for myself first and see how that goes. Think William FP wears one!!

 

[kezz86]

Hi Bertolie,

I rave about Joint Aid by GWF Nutrition to anyone who will listen. I started feeding it over 5 years to my Labrador (for dogs one) when he first had arthritis so bad that he couldn't get up. (In fact my review and photo of my lab is on their website!) I love it it's fixed my doggie and given him a whole new lease of life! He jumps, runs and plays like a 2 year old again now (he's 9!).
http://www.gwfnutrition.com/prod_canine_jointaid/index.htm

I also have an aged mare who was getting a bit pottery and stiff so got her the Joint Aid Plus for Horses
http://www.gwfnutrition.com/prod_equine_jointaidplus/index.htm
And it's as incredible as the one for dogs.
My mare is now happy and moving well again.

BTW I do not work for them I just love their products!!

Their dog stuff comes with a money back guarantee but I'm not sure that the horse stuff does. Still worth a go in my opinion it's not half as expensive as the liquid cortaflex and similar products either.

Oh also in winter (before I knew about the equine Joint Aid) I used the wrap around Bio flow boots on her legs which seemed to help too.

When I was looking for individual sups I came to the conclusion that this stuff had everything I was planning on feeding separately in it already and it was cheaper than buying them individually!

 

[Bertolie]

Just be aware that Devils Claw can be as hard on the stomach as bute.

I managed my old boys hock spavins with a mixture of ginger, tumeric and boswellia serrata; along with pure MSM and glucosamine.

We have got him on a veterinary joint supplement (as it will be covered on the insurance) which contains the MSM and glucosamine. The Devils Relief was suggested by my vet as its a cheaper option than Danilon, but I am hoping to try some herbs that might work instead of this.

I think I might just bite the bullet and try various herbs as even if they don't help, they wont do him any harm!

 

[dalidaydream]

Apple Cider Vinegar is excellent - it needs to be the stuff with the "mother" not the nice clean stuff you can get from the supermarket (http://www.pegasushealth.com/product/Apple_Cider_Vinegar_with_Mother). It can take a couple of months to start working but I was so impressed with my pony that I started giving it to my (nearly) 14 year old dalmatian and I'm starting to notice a difference after a couple of weeks

Also turmeric and boswelia as others have mentioned.

 

[ozpoz]

Boswellia serrate and Turmeric - so good I'm on it myself. : ) And micronised linseed. I have stopped given my horses things they wouldn't eat naturally, so no animal based products, and I think they are better for it.