How do you deal with older horses with Stiffness/Arthritis

Laura-Maybe-IV

Laura-Maybe-IV

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Hi all,

I was just interested in how you all deal with your older horses stiffness. I have a 22 year old TB mare who is an ex evener, so has had reasonable wear and tear on her joints. I say reasonable because she has had long periods of time off during her life. She had 4 years out after a tendon injury and prior to eventing upto intermediate level she did hunter trials, riding club and pony club stuff.

She is stiff behind, but as a youngster she had the ligaments cut in her back legs, it was to do with locking stifles apparently this op is common in TB's apparently.. :confused:

Anyway, I am feeding a combination of Equine America Kentucky joint liquid alongside devils claw. Although I am thinking about giving D&H Joint support a go or there mobility supplement... anyone tried these? :)

Alongside exercise and hacking the stiffness does ease some days it's worse than others, she sometimes has stable bandages on at night too. I am considering turning her out permanently so that she can constantly move.

What do you guys do to help your oldies? :)
 
When one of my old horses had to be retired due to severe arthritis in his knees, my vet suggested turning him out 24/7 as moving around was better for him than standing in for lond periods of time. I also gave him celery seeds from natural horse supplies which really worked well.
 
24hr turn out, certainly never in at night. magnetic boots, cider vinegar, oil and cartrophen injections when needed. take time warming up and cooling off when worked
 
Old Sabria (33) was very stiff through her sacrum and dragging her toes on her hinds. I did wonder whether it would be fair to put her through another winter, but 1/2 sachet of Danilon a day and she has had a new lease of life, comes cantering down the field. I sometimes miss a day so she gets an average of over 1/3 and it is enough - Danilon is generally okay to feed long term and even if it weren't, I would be balancing quality of life against quantity. Prescription only though so you need your vet on side.
 
When you horse is in it's stable keep a rug on him so as to keep the draft away from him. Also feed one measure of powdered linseed as this will act as an anti-inflamitory. Consult your vet and see if Danilon Bute could be prescribed to easy any low level pain or discomfort.
 
Ive tried a lot of supplements, and am currently using glucosamine (from the vet - high strength) turmeric and James Hart Devils Claw Flex - which is the only devils claw supp I've used that has showed a marked improvement almost immediately. He has Saracen Show Improver mix, which has Equijewel in it, and I make up his sugar beet with a mug of micronised linseed in it, so his diet is fairly high in oil. He's sound and full of beans, so I think we've hit on a winning formula
 
Try Maxaflex, I have found this is a very good supplement and also agree with living out as much as possible. I use the maxalex on 2 old eventers aged 20 and 21, they are still in full work and we go round grassroots level, they are fine with a bit of a longer warm up.
 
I use a supplement from Alex Gingsell (Hack Up) All his supplements are bespoke and tailored for the individual horse. My girls supp costs me about £58 and that will last her for about three months. She is stiff behind due to an old hock injury. She is now like a spring chicken and sound as a pound:D
He is a super chap and rings you when he thinks you may be running out and chats with you to see if anything has changed so supp can be altered if necessary. I have been using him for years.
 
My 21 year old TB was very stiff until she was turned out 24/7. She looks so much better now. She's on cider vinegar, cortaflex and before she was turned out she was on Buteless. She's not even needed her cartrophen injection, Danilon or Buteless since she's been turned out. I found the Buteless worked better than the Danilon or Bute.
 
I absolutely swear that Equine Americas Buteless has saved my horses life! That sounds dramatic yes but its true. He was being put down by old owners who I was a groom for because he went lame everytime he was brought into work however light, this went on years until the decision was made.
I gave him time off turned out all the time with a horse who allowed him to rest. Started him on Buteless and brought back into work very carefully (as in in-hand at first careful!)
18 months later the only sign of a problem is if I keep him in for more than 3 days, which I had too once due to floods.
Even then it was only slight soreness which eased with walking.
 
Thank you all for your replies :), I will have a look definitely into turning her out for the rest of her life, she hasn't never wintered out or lived out so could be a challenge but i'm sure she will be fine. I will have a look into some different supplements. She doesn't need bute just yet as she isn't in obvious pain, if she were she would let me know trust me!! She lays down and won't get up... SHe did this with her tendon injury and when she had cut on her leg.. She's a bit precious bless her!!
 
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