How much does your arthritic do?

[SkewbyTwo]

I originally posted this in Hunting but have had lots of views and no replies, so thought it should perhaps be in here:

My 15yo heavyweight has coffin joint arthritis, medicating the joint has not worked. An MRI has shown the arthritis to be "advanced".

Having said that, he is between 2-3/10 lame, which the vet admits is mild.

Vet has said he is unlikely to stand up to hunting. I am now proceeding with trying to get him sound again on bute.

I realise this is most likely a "how long is a piece of string" question, however it would be encouraging to hear that others have managed to keep an arthritic hunting.

He lives and breathes for it so I'm going to try my best - he could easily have a quieter life (I have a 4yo I am just bringing into work, and offers of other horses to hunt) - but I'm just not convinced (yet) that he'll adapt.

Case studies (positive or otherwise) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[mudmonkey17]

I have a 20yr old cob with hock spavin and ringbone. He is completely sound hacking on one bute a day about 5 times a week. Without the bute he is about 1/10 lame and only really noticeable on a turn.
I dont think be happy riding something 2-3/10 lame but that is just me. Good luck with your horse.

 

[coloured_c0b]

my 16 year old cob was diagnosed with DJD of the stifle and fetlock joints last April, at the time i was given the option to PTS or daily bute, he was still loving life, would canter down the field when called so i went with the bute option to give him a chance. Sadly in October of the same year he developed an allergy to bute so this had to be stopped. He reaction was so severe the vet thought it was touch and go, he fought through this and two weeks later went from box rest to back out in the paddock with my other boy. i decided to just leave him be all winter and see how he went with the view to possible light work this summer. He is now sounder than i ever thought he would be and we are not using any pain relief, ( i do have some metacam as back up to try this winter but hoping we dont need it) he has done some light hacks and long reining this summer but i think could easily cope with more. Sadly he no longer hunts, xc countries or jumps but is still loving life and we just take it at his pace. good luck its such a hard condition to manage but it is do-able!!!