High Mileage Legs - Thoughts, please

Orthe's Daystars

Orthe's Daystars

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:) Have just bought the kindest, most honest & suitable 15 hh cremello gelding imported from Ireland 2 years ago. He's 8 (verified), hunted in Ireland and then s/jumped non-stop with very competitive teenager. Reason for post - those legs have jumped a lot of fences & the fronts both turn outwards which vet advised could cause future problems.:eek:

My mission is to keep him sound so he can do the low level riding club stuff & enjoy hacking. I'm 55 but not ready to give up competing yet.

So - I shall be doing the obvious, only jump on good surfaces, spread out competitions, no trotting on roads, use of my excellent farrier etc.

Question - do joint supplements work and if so which should I go for.? Don't mind spending the money but I need to know your opinions.

Thanks in advance - The Irish Bog Cob (or so my equine dentist has christened him!):D
 
I use vetvits msm and glucosamine for my boy. He has navicular and like your lad has had some pretty hefty mileage on his legs ( was an eventer in his past life). I'm same age As you but only really hack him now but have had no problems with him for the last two years ( since using supplements) to be honest not sure if they work but don't really want to stop now!!
 
I used to use JointFX for my arthritic horse and it really made a difference - you knew about it if ever I ran out. Need to buy that from your vet and it's expensive, but it's the only one I've used that actually did anything. Also linseed is good for joints.

I wouldn't actually worry too much about trotting on the roads TBH. As long as it's controlled, not constant and not hammering around like you're hunting, I don't personally see a problem in doing some. Also, do you know how much hunting he did in Ireland? Half the time I'm sure they use "hunted in Ireland" like we use "seen hounds", ie the horse has been out but it doesn't mean he's done a lot at all. And how much SJ at what heights did he do with the teenager? Define "non-stop" - daily, weekly, monthly? On good surfaces or on hard ground, for example?

Personally I really wouldn't worry about the jumping itself but I would worry about the front legs being turned outwards. That doesn't sound good. Does your vet have any ideas what caused it - conformational? Could it be helped with remedial farriery? Is he sound ATM with that?
 
I would get your farrier to have a close look at the toeing out. It may be able to be corrected (to a degree) with sympathetic shoeing/trimming.
 
My 19 Y/o is very high mileage having been ridden by professional eventer for 10+ years! Although he would have been taken great care of, still high mileage and a list of insurance exclusions on the legs several pages long (not joking!)

I have found the best thing for him is to keep moving, they only fill or look stiff if he;s had to stand in so 24/7 turn out as much as humanly possible - good turnout rugs make possible in most weather!
 
Thanks for your suggestions - just to update you I've already bought him so cannot walk away + it wasn't a serious flag up.

The "hunting in Ireland" I do agree is probably overstated but the jumping over here has been relentless - 5 days out of 7, most weekends competing up to 3'6", lots of Pony Club team pressure - in fact its a real tribute to what a saint he is that he's not sour & fed up with it!

So, I have to find ways to work with what I've got!! Love him to bits for his personality and willingness (took him out last weekend - my 1st show in over2 years & he promptly won both classes!!)

Please keep the suggestions coming - I really rate this little horse!:D
 
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We have a 'high mileage' ex-polo pony and an ex-racer (rubbish at it so low mileage there :D). Polo does have an old stifle injury so we know somewhere down the line we'll end up with problems, and I'm really mindful of what I feed. 19 and going very stronge at the moment ;)

I have her on D&H 15+ which has maintenance levels of Glucosamine, and also micronised linseed - best place I've found that is farm pet place who deliver for £2.95 - so around £25 all in. I feed this to them both, they have a fab shine and its loaded with oils to help joints. Just a cup a day in winter and half in the summer.

Unless you actually have a problem the guy who runs our local feed shop has told me not to feed the joint supplements, save it until you need it kind of thing. Just keep on with the maintenace levels which I am doing and its working well.

Just need a suplement for naughty, accident prone TB's and I'm set. :D
 
I bought a 13yr old shire x tb mare last July. She'd been at a college for 7 years and had high mileage with some filling to her legs. She's a sharp mare off your leg and has probably been hammered as she will go forwards and jump! I bought her solely for hacking, she's bombproof on the roads and an absolute sweetie to handle,, dentist,farrier etc. I put her onto pure MSM from Aviform £19.99 for 1.5kg. Only give her 1/2 small scoop per day and she's fine. No stiffness now after a long ride and legs don't seem filled. I have kept her out 24/7 though as I'm a great believer in keeping older horses moving. She's settled in a treat,is ideal for what I want and I love her to bits so hope you have as much fun with your new horse.
 
If his legs have held up to all that, I don't think you have much to worry about. I also wouldn't be trying to correct it.
 
:)Thanks for all the suggestions, I have discussed his feet with my (excellent) farrier who thinks he can help long term. The 2 most touted joint supplements seem to be NAF Superflex liquid or Cortaflex Equine America liquid. I'd be really pleased to have opinions (Good or bad) on either of these. Looks like I might have tracked down his breeder as well so lots going on & I am enjoying him more & more. Please keep your suggestions coming - The Irish Bog Cob:D:D
 
Aviform Suppleaze Gold. My mare is 27 and she moves much more freely now she's on this. I was very cynical, but confess to being a convert. It's very competitively priced and if you have a quick search I think there are some posts about it.

Good luck with your Irish Bog Cob - he sounds lovely!
 
Passtheshampoo said:
I bought a 13yr old shire x tb mare last July. She'd been at a college for 7 years and had high mileage with some filling to her legs. She's a sharp mare off your leg and has probably been hammered as she will go forwards and jump! I bought her solely for hacking, she's bombproof on the roads and an absolute sweetie to handle,, dentist,farrier etc. I put her onto pure MSM from Aviform £19.99 for 1.5kg. Only give her 1/2 small scoop per day and she's fine. No stiffness now after a long ride and legs don't seem filled. I have kept her out 24/7 though as I'm a great believer in keeping older horses moving. She's settled in a treat,is ideal for what I want and I love her to bits so hope you have as much fun with your new horse.
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Ditto :D
 
Is it just me that thinks that's an excessive amount of work for a horse? Seems like he's had a hammering which may well impact him as he gets older. Lots of people seem intent on treating horses like some kind of performance machine, doing too much too soon. Does make you wonder what happens to em in their old (or not so old) age.

Sounds like he is very lucky in finding you though, and he sounds like a lovely boy to have done so well. Agree about keeping him moving and supplements to keep him in good shape. I'd also agree about not hammering him round the roads in trot.

But am sure you will have many years of fun, and he won't be wearing out as much now he's with you! Best of luck with the bog pony :)
 
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