Managing knee arthritis in horses /supplements

[cheekywelshie]

Three weeks ago the boy felt a bit off behind in trot. Rested him for a few weeks carried on turning out, had chiro out, bit stiff in back but no major issues. Vet came out and farrier due (was an expensive week!) as noticed lumps on his foreleg . He did fine on flexion tests but stiff on circles - I don’t go in the school just hack these days as he’s 23. He’s also had stringhalt since I got him as a five year old but this hasn’t got any noticeably worse over the years. Anyway turns out as I suspected he has osteoarthritis in his knee. Can get it xrayed (£350ish) to see but obviously the growths are a big indicator. Vet suggested keep in light work and that he can W T C but no jumping other than once every blue moon. I can’t believe how he’s changed in the last year. Haven’t competed him jumping for years but we still used to go for a play on the XC every now and then and he could easily do 80cm but a lot has changed in a year.

Just wondered what folks do to manage it- how often do you ride, how far, do you feed any supplements etc. I noticed he can struggle with the farrier sometimes but the chiro / walking about a bit first helped.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I don’t currently but old horse was arthritic.
I found that definitely keeping in work helped. I kind of let him choose the pace, sometimes we went for a canter sometimes we walked!
I was a bit torn between keeping him out as much as possible so moving round and bringing him in to keep warmer. I think that’s one you work out for the individual horse!
I ended up with him in a pen and shelter as a compromise!
I gave a sachet of bute for a couple of days pre farrier visits and that really did help.
Supplement wise, I have my little old pony on 4cyte epitalis and I really do think it’s helped him. It’s not one of the cheaper ones but you only use a little bit each day.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Definitely keep him moving. I had one with a fibrous lump on her knee that overtime calcified and I assume became arthritic. She was a very good doer so had to be kept on restricted turnout, didn't know about track systems back then, and she got so stiff I opted to have her PTS. Moved into our big field the night before so she was away from the others on the day and in the morning she was moving far better. Felt bad about putting her down but no other real option then. She was only 17.
My current retired mare has developed a lump on her knee but is on a sort of track system and doing fine.

 

[TheMule]

If he's,in pain then he needs to be on regular bute/ Danilon, probably with an increase in dosage before things like the farrier.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Agree bute might be the best option I find the supplements are ok if it's very mild like a stiffness but if the horse is lame they won't do much.

 

[Goldenstar]

You will need to medicate him , my experience of knee arthritis is that it was much harder to keep them comfortable than it s for hock .

 

[SEL]

Definitely bute, especially at 23.

I knew an ex jumping pony with a big knee and bute kept him quietly mooching for a bit longer.

 

[cheekywelshie]

Did you keep shoes on or take them off

 

[SEL]

Did you keep shoes on or take them off

They were kept on the jumping pony because we suspected any change in hoof balance would lead to changes in his body he was too old to manage. 20 ish years of being shod had led to very upright feet with very contracted heels.

 

[lynz88]

Bute - 1 a day seems to be sufficient and I also give a monthly injection of Cartophen. Shoes off has made a huge different as well and do my best to keep him moving. Quite often he will drag a toe but after moving about (straight line) he usually warms up out of it. Some days/months I find are tougher on him than other days/months. Sometimes he will be up for a gallop or even some schooling stuff and other times he is up for a saunter. I've started "purposefully grooming" him making sure to move the facia around and especially focusing on cross movement patterns on the hamstrings which get particularly tight for him as a result. Will see how that works but it's worked well for my own issues.

 

[Breather]

I have arthritis in my thumbs and fingers. The joints hurt, making me use my hands in a strange way. The stress it puts on my good fingers and wrists then transfers into my shoulders and to a localised area of my back. Joints affected by arthritis are sore, but don't forget about the effects on the body compensating for the joint pain.

 

[ihatework]

I agree with everyone else, if you are going to continue riding him then he should have Bute. I’d also knock on the head any jumping. Stick mostly to walk with a bit of trot/canter only if he feels forward & willing.
I’d suggest alternate days hacking.

 

[Clodagh]

Can’t they just live out and not be ridden? People saying riding them is best but surely they just move around a paddock? Is riding really ethical if he’s struggling.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Best thing you can do is take the shoes off. The concussive effects of shoes are enormous.

 

[Domirati]

I find Devil’s Claw helps the 26 year old and Bute for a couple of days before the farrier.

 

[lynz88]

Can’t they just live out and not be ridden? People saying riding them is best but surely they just move around a paddock? Is riding really ethical if he’s struggling.

More often than not they are quite sedentary in the field. Mine still enjoys going for a hack even if at the walk. He is usually pushing his way out his stable door even when he's sluggish.

 

[SEL]

Can’t they just live out and not be ridden? People saying riding them is best but surely they just move around a paddock? Is riding really ethical if he’s struggling.

Depends on your set up. I have a track for my arthritic retiree but I still walk her out in hand most days - she's not a great hack.

My vet said when my old boy was still alive to give him the bute after riding so it didn't make him feel he could do more than his joints could cope with. He spent his last 2 years in just a field but decent acreage.

 

[suestowford]

There is a pony here who has arthritis in both knees, and both hocks also. He is 27, and retired from riding.
He's on 1 Bute per day, and 24/7 turnout, with a companion and he manages himself very well. Having company has made the biggest difference, he didn't always have another pony with him and he would get very stiff. So it's the extra movement that having a pony to boss around, that's improved his mobility. Regular exercise of any kind will help to keep your horse moving less stiffly.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Three weeks ago the boy felt a bit off behind in trot. Rested him for a few weeks carried on turning out, had chiro out, bit stiff in back but no major issues. Vet came out and farrier due (was an expensive week!) as noticed lumps on his foreleg . He did fine on flexion tests but stiff on circles - I don’t go in the school just hack these days as he’s 23. He’s also had stringhalt since I got him as a five year old but this hasn’t got any noticeably worse over the years. Anyway turns out as I suspected he has osteoarthritis in his knee. Can get it xrayed (£350ish) to see but obviously the growths are a big indicator. Vet suggested keep in light work and that he can W T C but no jumping other than once every blue moon. I can’t believe how he’s changed in the last year. Haven’t competed him jumping for years but we still used to go for a play on the XC every now and then and he could easily do 80cm but a lot has changed in a year.

Just wondered what folks do to manage it- how often do you ride, how far, do you feed any supplements etc. I noticed he can struggle with the farrier sometimes but the chiro / walking about a bit first helped.

I always use Equimins Flexi Joint, I seen the difference it made to my mare who was supposed to be on bute for life, and she came off it totally vets amazed. Many more on the yard use it.

Money back guaranteed. Just check reviews. https://www.equimins-online.com/en/all-products/46-equimins-flexijoint-cartilage-supplement.html

 

[cheekywelshie]

Thanks - I was also told about this - anyone used it? A bit pricey



Proexin Cosequin Equine Joint Health Supplement, 700g
https://amzn.eu/d/9uiUlL1