Long term bute or natural alternative? (also in vet)

[kc285]

My horse it seems is going to need to be on some sort of permanent pain relief from now on. He is not in serious pain but mild discomfort across uneven ground. He is out of work and will be kept as a field ornament for as long as he is happy to be one.

My questions are... bute... how much can I give a day over long periods/indefinitely? He has only ever been on it for short bursts and I worry about long term side affects.

What are the best natural alternatives? Devils Claw? Something else? Stuff like Dodsons& Horrell Devils Claw - is it strong enough to have a pain relief effect or is it too mild?

Any advice would be great.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I cant recommend Equine America's Buteless highly enough. I swear its saved my horse! He wasnt really a suitable candidate for long term Bute as he has a sensitive tummy, this ment i was also reluctant to use Devils Claw as ive read thats not great for tummy problems either.
My horse has been bute free now for a year and two months :-D The longest ever time *touch wood*!

 

[dressagecrazy]

Boswellia, it enabled me to stop feeding Danilon.
Im just trying NatureBute Solution which is boswellia in a liquid form, im told it's slightly stronger than the powder & works much faster.

 

[Dawng]

Both my horses are on Danilon which doesn't have the side effects that bute does - ask your vet if they can give you that - I buy a box of 60 at a time it works out cheaper that way and I only give a third sachet daily but increase the evening before I ride or add some Nobute as well to supplement it if necessary.