Over 20 with no sign of arthritus?

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pipper

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Just a musing really. One of our ponies is in her early 20s and although has slowed down a bit regarding actual speed/stamina shows no signs of stiffness or arthritus. Am i right in thinking that if they have reached that age with no related probs they are unlikely to get it? X
 
My 19yo had hock Xrays today and they are as clear as a whistle. No spurs or signs of arthritis at all :).............just got to get to bottom of why she is lame now!:rolleyes:
 
Doesn't mean they can't/won't develop it but I have a 22yo and 27yo who do not seem to show any signs of arthritis. The 22 is still in full work and still competing on occasion - albeit at a lower level than he did in his 'youth' :)
 
piebaldsparkle said:
My 19yo had hock Xrays today and they are as clear as a whistle. No spurs or signs of arthritis at all :).............just got to get to bottom of why she is lame now!:rolleyes:
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On this subject, can I just say how nice and refreshing it is that someone actually bothers with a horse this age and does not write it off. So many folks would just put it down to age and leave it there. to pay for x-rays at that age is pretty rare... I would do it, god if madam Ebony were still here and needed them I would have them in a shot, but many wouldnt, good on you, and sorry you still have no answer!:o
 
piebaldsparkle said:
My 19yo had hock Xrays today and they are as clear as a whistle. No spurs or signs of arthritis at all :).............just got to get to bottom of why she is lame now!:rolleyes:
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They're frustrating aren't they. My 27yo pony is on/off 'lame' on one hind. I say lame - he is ok in walk in a straight line on flat ground or up hill. Downhill though he struggles and we had his back treated last year twice. This resolved it. However, it started again so I assume arthritis. Vet checked him, does not think arthritis at all. Physio came again, he was much better after this. Physio does not feel it's arthritis either! He is pretty supple in his limbs so it's a bit of a mystery as one day he's ok and the next he's not!
 
My old bird didn't have any signs of arthritis til last year, she is 24 now and retired for reasons which have nothing to do with any arthritis. She's been on 9 months limited turn out and still isn't that stiff!
 
We thought my loan mare had a touch of it at 24, the vet did a full work-up and said no arthritis whatsoever. She had damaged her tendon sheath, once recovered she came back sound again.
 
My 36 year old has no signs of arthritis. He whizzes around his field like a loon and is still the most lively forward-going ride on my farm. Twice now we've sent video footage to a well known rider in the States who has been interested in two youngsters. Both times I've used the old horse to be lead horse so that we can get good video footage of the youngsters paces. Both times the rider has come back and said he definitely wants to buy the horse as well to which we reply the horse is not for sale and he's the old 36 year old who was in last years video too! It always makes me smile though that my old horse still has what it takes to grab the interest of respected professionals.
 
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