Management of Arthritis.

[Megibo]

Think my mare might be getting Arthritis...will this limit her work? She does jumping hacking and schooling-hacking and light schooling at the mo whilst getting fit.
She's 13 in May.
She fell at a jump when she was 6 which damaged her left stifle joint and was left with scar tissue. With a years worth of regular physio visits and one earlier this year she is now completely sound for anything but recently she's started coming in from the field stiff on that leg. Once she's warmed up and had a trot both ways the stiffness disappears.
She lives out 24/7 but may be in next winter, have also been told it could improve with the weather. Considering it's winter she does stand around in the field alot when not eating hence why she's still stiff when she comes in. Still happy to do her work however and we are going to put her on a joint supplement but don't know if she will need that year round...

 

[Paris1]

My bed has been diagnosed with arthritis and has had injection onto joint and on Cortaflex now. So far sound after injection but vets advise is to walk with a bit of trot no schooling for six weeks. I'm dying to do a bit more!

 

[wattamus]

My horse was diagnosed with arthritis in both hocks 4/5 years ago, she was given two bute a day and just worked for months to help fuse the joints (or summat like) up untill she developed ringbone she was still hacking 2hrs a day (walk/ trot/ canter) on hard and soft surfaces, she still did Hunter trials and Show jumping and still jumped up to 1m05 with ease. You will find what your horse's limit is, sometimes after a hard ride the day before Ebony would come up a bit stiff and I'd give her a couple of days off, but still walk her round to help ease the stiffness. If you can't ride for whatever reason make sure your horse walks around for a bit every day whether that's turnout or in hand it really makes a difference. Cold, damp weather is not an arthritic horses' friend keep them as warm and dry as possible in winter, summer doesn't really matter that much.Cod liver oil is always good or something with glucosamine in it. I also used magnet boots (waits to get shot down ) They increase the blood flow to the area and warm the joint, this again helps with stiffness Hope this helps just because I like pictures

this is her three years after she was diagnosed and she was fine to go out hacking the next day

 

[rockysmum]

I've kept my oldie going to 36 and still being ridden last summer. I also have a 22 year old.

I know a lot of people think they are better kept out and moving, however I personally dont agree.

Mine are better kept warm and dry, standing around in a cold wet field does them no good at all. They always get some turnout but not at night, even in summer.

I keep them well rugged, well fed and on good beds.

When I was at our old yard 4 years ago it was at the top of a very cold windy moor. I used leg warmers, magnetic boots and the oldie was on the odd bute.

Once I moved down into the valley I haven't need the leg warmers, magnetic boots or the bute. I think that says it all really.

 

[lizijj]

I'm also interested in this question. I bought one of mine at 3 - broke him in but he then went horribly lame - with hindsight, he was always drifting to one side, so he came to me with this injury.... (from a reputable dealer...) after x-rays, scans, etc he was diagnosed with bone spavin. I thought it was time up (at some points he wouldn't move just put his head in my chest - it was horrible - tried bute but was very aware of the side effects so came off that), but listened to some old, experienced advice, and left him out for a year. Luckily, it was on the flat joint of his hock, so it has now fused. I have ridden him since, but he is very twisted and un-comfortable. He is sound in the field and so long as I have my grazing (touch wood) will live a very happy life there in his herd. I sometimes feel that he feels a bit bored and left out from the others though.... I groom and make a fuss of him, would it be worth leading him out on hacks? Any one else had to retire a horse at an early age?

 

[Ginger Bear]

When i was young My mum came accross ab old tb, underweight and footsore - she then realised she knew the horse (was once owned by a neighbour when she was a teenager) made an offer to the owner and took him home.. He had severe arthritis and fused bone spavined in both bk legs.. He had to be exercised everyday especially in winter.. Walked until it eased off usually after about 15mins and then he was fine.. He was mid 20's and still went out jumping at local shows on summer when he wasn't stiff.. She also had him on cortaflex & magnetic boots.

 

[cm2581]

I've kept my oldie going to 36 and still being ridden last summer. I also have a 22 year old.

I know a lot of people think they are better kept out and moving, however I personally dont agree.

Mine are better kept warm and dry, standing around in a cold wet field does them no good at all. They always get some turnout but not at night, even in summer.

I keep them well rugged, well fed and on good beds.

When I was at our old yard 4 years ago it was at the top of a very cold windy moor. I used leg warmers, magnetic boots and the oldie was on the odd bute.

Once I moved down into the valley I haven't need the leg warmers, magnetic boots or the bute. I think that says it all really.

This is exactly how I find it works best for mine. I can't leave her out day and night or she totally seizes up. If its the sort of cold that makes me ache, it seems to influence her choice of in or out!! If she wants out, I get shoved out the way!! If she doesn't, I have to chase her round the box with her headcollar!! She has been known to prefer in for several days in a row!!! Silly old bag! She has completely earned her right to do entirely as she pleases!! And long may she do so!

 

[Megibo]

Thanks for the advice!
Will put her on supplement and get some magnetic boots when I can afford them!
Next winter she'll come in overnight too and will give her a nice deep bed
It doesn't seem too bad at the moment as after a walk trot she's not stiff anymore as I said so seems more positive