I need a hug :'-(

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sophiebailey

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My gorgeous Bailey was diagnosed with arthritis in Sept. Since then he's been steadily hacked and kept moving, and has trialled every supplement known to man alongside taking a sachet of Danilon every day.

On boxing day we went for a great hack in which he was really forward and springy and kept asking if he could trot, so I was really happy he seemed to have perked up!

Decided to take him to an outdoor school 5 mins down the road today, to assess his movement on the flat. He got into the school and was so stiff through his back end he looked almost lame.

Mum streched + flexed him in walk while I watched, then I got on and asked for a little trot down the longside and he just shot forwards and ran in pain, then slumped back into the walk still dragging his right hind behind him.

I've been in tears most of the afternoon, I was so positive that he was improving and now I just feel lost and confused and upset. I don't know what to do to help my poor little sweetheart. I know the next step is nerve blocking + x-rays + injections but at almost 2k its something I cannot afford, I feel like such a failure for being unable to provide him with this :(

So in short, I feel like a big pile of steaming poo and I could really do with a cuddle :(

#rubbish2013
 
It is horrible when they get old and arthritic. :-(

I can't offer anything helpful but know how you feel. My old pony is no longer ridden ( nearly 40) but was getting very stiff behind and obviously in pain so I started him on Feedmark Extraflex and it made a huge difference. I hope your horse starts to feel better soon. This cold wet weather does not help.
 
Didn't want to read and run. So sorry for you - there is no 'cure' so all the money in the world won't fit arthritis.
Don't feel bad about not throwing good money at the vets for them to maybe slow down the process a little.
How old is he?
Could you up the Danilon a little ?
 
Try magnet boots, I've had excellent results with them on one horse who was absolutely crippled until we got them. Another horse did well on them as well, although, I've lent them to friends whose horses haven't responded as well but that was for other conditions.
 
I'm not very good at the hug thing but ((hugs)) anyway :)

I always find my boy (18 this year) struggles more on a soft surface than out hacking - maybe just stick to hacking for now?
 
Thanks guys, Bailey is 21 and has one sachet a day, I could up that during the colder weather I suppose!

He has a pair of bioflow boots, when do you put them on and how long for?
 
On firm going (concrete) he's ok but a bit stumbly! Haven't seen what he's like on firm groud (grass) as we haven't had any for months 'cause of the rain!! :o
 
I think when they have a condition they have good days and not so good and he could just be having a off day particularly after a long, forward going hack the other day.

The weathers been really wet so maybe he's not getting out as much and it's gone a bit colder so there are a few things that could be making him seem a bit stiff on the odd day.

Maybe he's better on harder ground than a soft surface.

((((hugs))) heading your way
 
Sending hugs :) My 8yr old ex racer just had kissing spine op, they also found his spine was riddled with arthritis :( Can't start riding again yet but hoping like mad that the op will have helped reduce the arthritis - if it hasn't i'll be needing huge hugs too! ;)
 
sophiebailey said:
Thanks guys, Bailey is 21 and has one sachet a day, I could up that during the colder weather I suppose!

He has a pair of bioflow boots, when do you put them on and how long for?
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Mine are Bioflow, I was told to put them on for the 1st 24hrs and then for 12 hrs every day. I used to put them on alternate legs.
 
If he's anything like me with my arthritis I have good days and bad and often worse after a good day when I've over done it. The cold and wet also flare it up. Sending you some hugs x
 
magnetic boots and
equimins flexi joint


100% money back guarantee.

I swear by it for mine most of the yard are on it and it made so much difference
 
Goosegrass (cleavers) is a natural anti inflammatory. Have a google and look at the information. Not saying this is the answer and of course check with your vet. Hope things work out :)
 
Another vote for magnetic boots.
I got the premier equine ones and she wears them overnight in stable and has been completely sound and not even stiff from day one pretty much.
I wouldn't have believed it but anything worth a try, now swear by them.
Good luck with Bailey x
 
Sending hugs your way. It's horrible when they are getting older, there have been a few times I thought my little lad was going rapidly downhill and I'd be PTS sooner rather than later. Yet he's rallied, back off the bute and doing really well. My vet says when the new bone is being laid down is when they are sorest, but once it's done it settles for a bit and you get the good times again.
 
I too use magnetic boots, I use them over night on all 4 legs.

I'd also try different joint supplements too, as they're not all the same, and you will find you get different results with different brands.

Also, as mentioned, you will find one day they're really full of themselves and raring to go, and then overdo it, and are stiff the next day.

Regular amounts of daily exercise are the best way.

And ((hugs)) x
 
My sons 19 yr old tb mare has arthritis and a spavin on one hock, vet suggested devils relief, and supple ease gold supplement, and she is so much better, she has two or three hacks and Polocrosse training a week. I double the dose of DR in v cold wet weather. She is iffy to shoe on backs, so has bute before and after and only cold shod on backs, she doesn't like her back legs being lifted too high. Farrier is good with her. As said, there is not much we can do apart from gentle riding and anti inflames ect and suitable feed and supplements, it's all about managing the condition.. I wish you well and your horse. This weather don't help.
 
I haven't tried the mind boggling world of joint supplements but i swear that turmeric has really helped my cob this year in addition to his linseed and danilon that he gets overnight. He is much better on firmer footing so the wet, boggy deep mud is making it harder for him atm so he stays in overnight till it has dried a little!
 
he may have found the deeper surface in the school harder to work in, also both myself (advanced arthritic ankles) and my dog, who has bad arthritis, have been pretty bad the last week or two - I'm guessing the way the weather keeps changing, plus damp and cold is BAD.

The other thing to remember with arthritis is that he can feel really up for doing something but it's later on that you get stiff and sore so if he's having bad days think what you did the day before and see if there's a correlation there to adjust something. But I would also expect the deeper surface of a school compared to a road or track to make a difference as I really stuggle in that sort of surface.
 
I know its a bit different but i have arthritus in my hip knee and ankle on one leg. I help at the RDA and if the surface is deep i do struggle more in the winter so dont despair there will be better days. I can run on the road and a firm surface but the outdoor school in the summer is unbearable.
 
Have you tried this http://www.maxavita.com/greenlippedmussels.htm The maxaflex is good, worth trying to see if it helps :)

'The Green Lipped Mussel is a potent source of Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) including EPAs and DHAs which have been linked to a wide range of health benefits including joint, heart, eyes, skin, and brain health. It contains a unique profile of soothing Omega 3 PUFAs, called Eicosatetraenoic Acids (ETAs) which have natural anti-inflammatory properties. With naturally occurring Chondroitin Sulphate, the Green Lipped Mussel helps to promote healthy cartilage and connective tissue and maintain healthy, pain free and supple joints.'
 
Shadeyoak he went onto that on Saturday!! Fingers crossed! Thanks for the advice re not riding in the school, will stick to roads + tracks for the time being!

Trying not to get disheartened, just want my Bailster back :(
 
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