Ok, where do I go from here with him?

[malibu211211]

D is now fully retired due to arthritis in his coffin joint at 13

He has been stabled over night for the last few days because of the weather otherwise he is turned out earlier than the other horses with friends filly because of his joint, hobday and he also has a problem with his pelvis being out to the right

Basically he's a walking disaster

Anyway he came out the stable yesterday morning looking incredibly stiff bordering lame on right hind

We know he is not level on this hind because of his left fore and his pelvis

I spoke to vet yesterday who says that we are never gonna win because he needs exercise but can't be exercised lightly due to his unpredictability and cannot be lunged because of his joint which leaves bringing him back into full work. He can't do that either as physio has suggested when he was semi retired that he was ridden twice a week for 45 mins max

Not to mention the fact that his joint will not cope with full work again

I turned him out yesterday and left him out overnight (much to his disgust

) and he seems better this morning for being out. I just don't know what to do for the best

He is due physio again next month and I just want to keep him comfortable and pain free.
Do you think stabling him at night is gonna cause a problem?
A friend has offered to have him over with her where he could stay out 24/7 but I wouldn't be able to see him everyday

(not that he'd care) but he would be cared for by her

What would you do?
Anyone been in this situation?
Well done for getting this far

 

[alicep]

my old horse had arthritus and i definatly noticed that she was less stiff when kept out. i think its the fact they gently walk as they graze along (could be very wrong). the only time i brought her in was when it was rubbish weather.

 

[AmyMay]

Thumper's physio kept her horse at my yard for two months after his increasing problems with arthritis. It was apparent that the horse needed to by out if not 24/7, then as many hours as possible.

At 12 he was very young to be retired, but his condition was chronic.

She made the very sad decision to have him pts about five weeks ago after it became increasingly obvious that the horse was not happy.

Sounds like you have some difficult times ahead.

 

[Broodle]

If I were you I would take your friend up on her offer. Arthritic joints cope best with constant movement so he will be far happier and healthier out 24/7 imo.

 

[malibu211211]

This is what I was dreading when they said he could go downhill quickly and I'm wondering is this the start of it

His joint condition is chronic

and basically his back is bu**ered.
He is happy in himself (well as happy as D ever is when there is people about, not really a people horse

) He has taken to the retired life alot easier than I thought he would and when he's outside he doesn't look half as stiff

 

[AmyMay]

Keep an eye on his weight. The horse I'm talking about dropped weight very quickly and suddenly. Sure sign things are going from bad to worse.....

 

[malibu211211]

Thanks, will do!
He loses weight quite quickly in winter which is why I stable him but is normally ok in summer so will keep a close eye on him

 

[Rueysmum]

I have a 13 year old retired gelding who has arthritis in his knee. I stopped riding him altogether a year ago after he chucked me off big time (he had previously had 9 months off for a throat problem) and was proving very unpredictable.

Like yours he can't be ridden lightly/intermittently because I would probably end up dead, and if he were worked hard or lunged then he would end up completely knackered.

During the time he was recovering from his throat problem the arthritis had also got worse and his leg more bent. Due to his bent leg he also moves in a very banana/crabbed like way which doesn't do the rest of him any good at all.

In the summer he lives out most of the time, but comes in for a snooze in his stable in the afternoon. In the winter he comes in overnight.

He is on glucosamine/chondroitin supplement, magnetic boots, and 1 Danilon per day, is treated exactly the same as he used to be when he was ridden (i.e. a pampered pet) and is as happy as larry.

Is yours on any anti-inflammatories? The Danilon is a god-send and I don't think he would cope very well without it. If yours isn't on anything then why don't you see if your vet will let you put him on it. At his age you've got nothing to lose really.

 

[malibu211211]

No, he's not on any anti-inflammatories at present and thanks I will definately speak to my vet about Danilon

Just after Christmas D threw me off and he wasn't going to stop until I hit the deck

which is one reason why I retired him aswell as wondering if he did what he did due to pain. Mind you, he spent the next 10 mins after ditching me doing some love trot and canter work around us

D is currently on Top Spec 10:10 joint supplement

 

[Nats_uk]

I would go with the option to keep him out 24/7. My friend had to retire her horse due to navicular and he is out 24/7 all year in a separate yard to where she keeps her new horse.

She found it hard to start with that she couldn't seen him everyday especially when she was feeling down anyway but everytime she went to see him and saw how happy he was it cheered her up.

Sometimes you have to do what's right for D not what's ideal for you

 

[at work]

If he is going to be happy being turned out 24/7 that is what I'd do - be glad you have such a good friend and send him over to her.

I'm sorry to say it, but was the vet suggesting that you pts? Might be reading too much between the lines from what you say but it may be the option the vet thinks is kindest? If your horse is going to be in pain despite all your efforts, then you do need to consider it

 

[Happytohack]

I have two heavy horses. One has arthritis of the coffin joint and had joint injections, remedial shoeing and 7 months off last year. She is now sound and is on Feedmark's Extraflex HA. She is stabled at night in a 14ft x 21ft box and is out in the day. Luckily, she is very happy to only be a quiet happy hacker. The other horse is older and is quite arthritic in his joints, including his jaw

He is on 1 x Danilon a day and only potters out occasionally. He is in at night, again in a very large box and out in the day. I find the older one is stiffer if he is out 24/7 as all he does is stand at the gate wanting to come in. I would definitely speak to your vet about Danilon for your horse.