Hock arthritis and sacroiliac...what works for you?

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BBP

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Hit me with it, what works for you, magnetic bands, massage pads, back on track hock boots or rugs? What have you tried? I want to do what I can to give him the best chance to be his best bouncy self but there are so many 'extras' I could try I'm confused!

Have had sacroiliac injected, but not hocks as he can't take that much steroid.
 
My horse has SI issues, he was injected last July, I use a good physio who helped get him moving properly again along with a full range of carefully planned exercises done daily by me, including in hand as well as ridden work plus plenty of strapping, I spent several hours each day on him in the first few months and the results showed as he gradually built up and got stronger.
I discussed getting some type of help in the form of rug or pad and she told me to not bother unless I had the money to invest in an Equissage system as everything else would not really make much difference and none of his treatment was covered by insurance, I would probably get some magnetic boots if mine had hocks problems, I always use a quarter sheet and he has an extensive selection of rugs to keep his back warm.

I turn out as long as possible, at night until he decided he wanted to come in at the end of Nov since then every day without fail except one day he had the vet to do his teeth under sedation, I think the best thing you can give him is your time and patience as your boy has some conflicting issues that may be tricky to deal with.
 
Back on Track all the way for us. 17yo exracer, SI injected 18 months ago, wears the rug 24/7 in winter and before work in summer. Noticeably stiffer when he hasn't had it on. Use the back warmer pad on my other horses and believe they are looser in their backs after wearing it. Great products.
 
A brilliant chiropractor, have not had his hocks injected and they have fused but he does need to be kept in work and plenty of trotting and cantering otherwise his pelvis slips. He does affiliated BS and little road work as I feel it jarrs him too much. Lunge in a pessoa to keep him built up evenly and turn out as much as possible. had flu over Christmas and had to back off the work as I was too weak and he definitely went unlevel behind. Chiropractor and then built the work up he is now level and forward going again. Not one for riding weekends only but if enough work put into him he should last well into his teens.
 
I did have some success with magnetic bands/wraps, 24/7 turnout and lots of hacking combined with steroid injections, remedial shoeing with lateral extensions, Tildren, McTimoney, Cortaflex HA and danilon as needed with my boy.

We managed with some success for over two years before he started to go rapidly down hill. What I will say is that his hocks (aged 9) were some of the worst the RVC had seen.

I think the magnetic wraps did make a real difference as did maximising his turnout.
 
My horse has had her SI injected twice - the first interval between injections was 9 months but since the second one we have lasted well over two years with no sign of problems. I am sure it is because I invested in some really good schooling to build the muscle to hold her pelvis in place that she has not had a relapse - I firmly believe in this.

As far as the bilateral spavins are concerned (not injected), I manage them with maximum turnout, gentle warming up before work, and Devil's Claw. She has also had Tildren.
 
Thanks everyone. I already have some magnetic wraps so they will be on as soon as he isn't plastered in wet mud. I was thinking of getting a magnetic band instead so it can stay on most of the time, even turned out. I have a massage pad but wondered about the back on track products. I am going to make sure I get regular help from his Physio once the vet approves him being treated, plus lessons once he is back to work (he is on 20 mins walking daily for next 4 weeks), I think given he has also been diagnosed with PSSM/EPSM (genetic muscle 'disease') he will be worked almost every day. It's a shame he isn't a great hack as I worry that too much schooling won't benefit his hocks long term. He can't go out 24/7 yet but he is out 7am til 5pm and has access to a small outside yard from his stable so walks in and out a bit.
 
I am a big fan of Back on Track products! - horse has KS and resultant SI/pelvic problems. The tension/spasm in his lumbar area has improved so much since using BoT stuff - initially bought a back warmer and then swapped it for a turn-out rug so he is in it most of the time now, and his back continues to improve.

As above, work on the muscles around the pelvis - walking over poles for instance and pilates-type exercises - daily carrot stretches and tail tucks. I can really see a difference now in terms of stomach muscles and lift through the back with these.
 
Well I've bitten the bullet and bought him a mesh back on track rug, a magnetic band and some dietary stuff for his PSSM. I figure as long as none of it does any harm then I'd rather try it and see what happens. Successful morning of spending! Just as well I've just landed a new job as my organisation removed my previous post and I was about to be redundant!
 
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