Please PLEASE need some advice RE possibly retiring horse

I haven't read all the replies (am supposed to be working). However, I had a pony years ago with bone spavin, he just had one hind affected and would start out stiffish on hacks but soon loosen up and was happy jumping and xc.

He did though have a crashing fall in a water fence once and a week of so after he seemed totally crippled behind. I thought his spavin had just got really bad BUT we decided to get a back person (Janet Ellis) out to see him. She said after the fall the torn muscles had recovered but they'd not healed correctly if that makes sense - all a bit tight and knotted.

He had 2 treatments from her and I think about 2 weeks off work and it was like he was a totally different pony - he was better than he'd been before the accident, just seemed much more comfortable. So, I would advise as galaxy23 has - get him a nice back treatment. He will be compensating for his hindlimb stiffness and this can subsequently cause them to tighten in other areas, particularly their back. It may be something quite simple like this, even if not there is no harm in him having a treatment - there's nothing like a could massage!
 
Oh and as for the bute, I would try and find alternatives if possible. Mine was being treated with but - 1 a day for god knows how long and sadly it did damage his liver and I don't think he ever recovered even when we took him off it. Plus, he wasn't a lot different movement wise on it to be honest.
 
Sorry to hear about your lad, but from what you have said I think at least giving him the winter off sounds like a good idea. Just one thought, will he have any company at the farm, because I don't think it would be fair to turn him away on his own if he has been used to company, and maybe has been on a busy yard. I know, I am probably too soft. Re the bute, we took on a WHW pony at 18 with arthritis, she was on a very low dose of bute to keep her comfy and lived until she was 34 years.
 
QR....not read all the replies....but have you tried Green Lipped Mussell extract?

Maxavita do it , its very good but pricey- I've had the same effect from buying it from Holland Barratt and giving 4 capsules a day- works out about 11 quid a month.

Just don't tell them you feed it to your horrse- you get very strange looks.
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Thank you to the last few replies - all read and being thought about!

To answer one person, i would only ever turn him out with company. He hates being by himself!

And now can i ask you all - chiropractor or physio?? Which would be best to get out for him, to check theres nothing else that might be making him unhappy when ridden?

Thanks in advance, i'm off to continue researching all these supplements you've all mentioned!
 
Can I be really idle and just refer you to this link?
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http://www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/Chiropractic.htm

Chiro has worked wonders for me and my horses but seriously wasted my OHs time and money (fortunately he saw the light and got fixed by a Chiro eventually
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) I use a lady for the horses that does the Mctimoney Corley line of chiropractic and she is wonderful, truly first class. If you can find someone local it would be really worthwhile using them.
 
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