Living out and arthritis

[Bambles]

Hi All

I have a 13 year Old gelding with hock arthritis, injected and seems all Good so far. Previously at a yard where he was in every night, but now at a yard he can live out all year if I want, though I also have a stable for him if needed. Living out over the summer seems to have done him the world of good, but what to do in winter when its damp, cold and raining.

Do you think its better in those weather conditions for arthritics to come in, maybe with magnetic hock boots? Or is keeping him out and moving around the better option (not really sure how much moving he'll do apart from moving from hay pile to hay pile!)

Thanks

 

[windand rain]

Better out moving around, rugged and warm. Old boy came to me only able to shuffle about at slow walk when we PTS (for other reasons) 3 years later he was galloping about, could trot up for his dinner and get up from rolling and lying down. He came intitially to have a few weeks in the autumn sun before he was PTS he had three good years longer. He had been in at night and out during the day for years he lived out 24/7 rugged and pampered with me it was astonishing to see how much better he was outside

 

[SEL]

Out and moving unless it's deep mud with my 2.

My older boy was in over night for about 5 months last winter because the fields got too wet and he has definitely gone backwards. Thankfully he's having a lovely summer but I wish the weather gods would tell me their plans for this winter.

 

[HashRouge]

Mine stays out unless it is very wet and windy. I like having the option to stable but I've found arthritics seems better out as much as possible

 

[doodle]

I’ll go against the grain and say Minto continued in his in at night routine.

 

[Goldenstar]

I like to keep Fatty out but once it’s muddy and cold and windy he hates its .
the winter before last I kept him out all winter and it did him no good at all .
Last winter I kept him in from December ( out all day ) and he was much happier so much so in February we started a bit of work and now he’s ridden five or sox days a week .
I match the work to his comfort level If we do to much he lets us know he lost a great deal of weight and is much sounder .
It’s really about managing the individual .