Medicating the bursa/coffin joint

[Hexx]

My boy was diagnosed with navicular at 18 - he was medicated with hyaluronic acid into bursar and coffin joints. He then had three months off (over winter, so not really missing much) - started work back in March and we were back competing in low level dressage by the end of the summer - completely sound. We carried on competing until he semi-retired at 24.

 

[Moomin1]

LOL???

You think it's funny that you have a horse which can't do a year field rest with no shoes on?

No I don't. I think it's funny that some people just don't seem to comprehend that taking her shoes off is not an option for me or my mare. I usually like your posts and agree with you ycbm but on this occasion I feel you are being a bit obnoxious. My mare is as loved as my own child and I will not be made to feel guilty by a complete stranger on the net for not taking her shoes off when only I (not you or anyone else) know the facts as to why it's not an option. I also didn't say she can't. I said I won't be.

 

[Moomin1]

My boy was diagnosed with navicular at 18 - he was medicated with hyaluronic acid into bursar and coffin joints. He then had three months off (over winter, so not really missing much) - started work back in March and we were back competing in low level dressage by the end of the summer - completely sound. We carried on competing until he semi-retired at 24.

That's fantastic, thanks Hexx. Can I ask how often you have them done?

 

[ester]

I am curious as to why, I think there are plenty of reasons for shoes at times I am just wondering which one, party as it made part of the decision to go that way with F cos I said if he was retiring he wouldn't be shod anyway.

 

[Moomin1]

I am curious as to why, I think there are plenty of reasons for shoes at times I am just wondering which one, party as it made part of the decision to go that way with F cos I said if he was retiring he wouldn't be shod anyway.

Ordinarily I probably wouldn't have an issue answering that. However given the tone of some of the posts on here I really don't feel inclined to share the reason for my decision on here. I made it quite clear from the start I have no interest in barefoot transition at this time yet a particular poster has been determined to wind the tone of the thread up. Real shame as this whole situation is hard enough for me to come to terms with and I didn't come here to be made to feel guilty.

 

[Hexx]

I only had them done once, and they lasted until he passed away at 25 - he stayed sound all that time - we did dressage, showing and lots of hacking up until he was about 23 and then had a couple of years mooching around being a happy hacker.

I think I was lucky as he was diagnosed early and that did help with the treatment. I didn't take him barefoot and kept him shod with new shoes every 5 weeks - we started off with bar shoes, but he didn't get along with those, so went along the natural balance route , as long as he was shod short in front with an early breakover point, he was good. I have to say, I did have an exceptional farrier!

 

[Moomin1]

I only had them done once, and they lasted until he passed away at 25 - he stayed sound all that time - we did dressage, showing and lots of hacking up until he was about 23 and then had a couple of years mooching around being a happy hacker.

I think I was lucky as he was diagnosed early and that did help with the treatment. I didn't take him barefoot and kept him shod with new shoes every 5 weeks - we started off with bar shoes, but he didn't get along with those, so went along the natural balance route , as long as he was shod short in front with an early breakover point, he was good. I have to say, I did have an exceptional farrier!

That's very interesting, thanks Hexx. That's definitely given me a more positive take on the situation. Perhaps it's worth a shot once I'm personally able to ride again in a year or so. Lots of food for thought.

 

[ester]

Tbf I don't think you mentioned not bare footing in your OP so the replies probably did drift off that way just on the basis of people's experiences including my own when injecting failed so what do you do next- the two rather go hand in hand. I could have just said it failed but given that I ended up with a sound pony later on I wouldn't have felt that was very helpful or constructive.
As always not knowing the full story does make it tricky to comment helpfully and in way that is appreciated!

 

[Moomin1]

Tbf I don't think you mentioned not bare footing in your OP so the replies probably did drift off that way just on the basis of people's experiences including my own when injecting failed so what do you do next- the two rather go hand in hand. I could have just said it failed but given that I ended up with a sound pony later on I wouldn't have felt that was very helpful or constructive.
As always not knowing the full story does make it tricky to comment helpfully and in way that is appreciated!

I said very early on that I wasn't interested in barefoot and that I only wanted to hear experiences of medicating the bursa/coffin joint. Yet the barefoot posts continued and in a somewhat aggressive and accusatory tone from one poster. I do appreciate barefoot helps many horses. As I said before if I change my mind I will definitely take advice from HHO

 

[ester]

I was only saying that because you said above you made it clear from the start, you didn't, it was post 6, after I had replied and mentioned bare footing because you hadn't made it clear from the start at all so please don't get stroppy at people for mentioning it when you asked for experiences when many people will have done both if they've had a foot problem! Contrary to popular belief we aren't sat here typing it for our own benefit.

 

[Moomin1]

I was only saying that because you said above you made it clear from the start, you didn't, it was post 6, after I had replied and mentioned bare footing because you hadn't made it clear from the start at all so please don't get stroppy at people for mentioning it when you asked for experiences when many people will have done both if they've had a foot problem! Contrary to popular belief we aren't sat here typing it for our own benefit.

No stroppiness, just fed up with repeating myself lol. Thanks for all your help anyway.

 

[ycbm]

I understand why you are cross, but seriously Moomin, consider what your reaction would be if someone posted -

My horse is lame and the lameness is originating in his back. I am thinking of retiring him if injections into his spine don't sort him out. Don't tell me to consider changing my saddle. My saddle fitter says I can't change the saddle, and I refuse to tell you why.

That's exactly what you have done, only with feet. All you needed to do to shut me up was tell me why your vet says your horse cannot even retire to a field without shoes on. I would probably have made one comment, offered to help if you changed your mind, and gone away.

That's your prerogative not to explain why your vet says that your horse cannot go unshod even on field rest. And unfortunately for you, my prerogative not to let that go unremarked. Not for your sake, for others reading the thread whose vets are saying the same thing but are wrong. I'm not saying yours is wrong, I haven't, of course, any idea what he has said. I just know that few vets I have heard of so far who say any particular horse cannot go without shoes have actually been correct.

I wish you luck with the horse. I won't annoy you by commenting again.

 

[Moomin1]

I understand why you are cross, but seriously Moomin, consider what your reaction would be if someone posted -

My horse is lame and the lameness is originating in his back. I am thinking of retiring him if injections into his spine don't sort him out. Don't tell me to consider changing my saddle. My saddle fitter says I can't change the saddle, and I refuse to tell you why.

That's exactly what you have done, only with feet. All you needed to do to shut me up was tell me why your vet says your horse cannot even retire to a field without shoes on. I would probably have made one comment, offered to help if you changed your mind, and gone away.

That's your prerogative not to explain why your vet says that your horse cannot go unshod even on field rest. And unfortunately for you, my prerogative not to let that go unremarked. Not for your sake, for others reading the thread whose vets are saying the same thing but are wrong. I'm not saying yours is wrong, I haven't, of course, any idea what he has said. I just know that few vets I have heard of so far who say any particular horse cannot go without shoes have actually been correct.

I wish you luck with the horse. I won't annoy you by commenting again.

I didn't say I was basing my decision on advice from my vet. I am basing my decision on my own knowledge of my horse, her past, and her and my current situation. My vet happened to agree with my decision as we have discussed it. I am not simply writing it off because i cannot be bothered. As I have said numerous times now, should I change my mind I will come to you for advice. In the meantime, I don't owe you, or anyone, an explanation as to the basis of that decision.

 

[sheep]

My horse was diagnosed with arthritis in coffin joint a few years ago. At the time I went with vet recommendation and shod with wedges and he had injections. He came sound initially but it only really lasted weeks. We did I think two or three rounds of wedges and then I decided to cut my losses and turn him away for a couple of months.
I won't go over the same ground re: how he is now back in work, but hopefully my experience of the injection answers your original question.

 

[Moomin1]

My horse was diagnosed with arthritis in coffin joint a few years ago. At the time I went with vet recommendation and shod with wedges and he had injections. He came sound initially but it only really lasted weeks. We did I think two or three rounds of wedges and then I decided to cut my losses and turn him away for a couple of months.
I won't go over the same ground re: how he is now back in work, but hopefully my experience of the injection answers your original question.

Thanks. We haven't and aren't going to be trying wedges as my vet does not recommend them.

 

[sheep]

Thanks. We haven't and aren't going to be trying wedges as my vet does not recommend them.

That seems sensible, I wouldn't do it again myself either, benefit of hindsight. Regardless of what course of action you choose I wish your horse a happy and pain free recovery, and as you've said yourself, there's plenty of support / resource here if you decide to consider an unshod approach.

In any case, I hope (s)he is more comfortable soon.