rehoming a horse with Arthritis. What is the outlook?

[chrissy2014]

My friends aunt who competes has a stunning well behaved horse that she had to retire 6 months ago due arthritis in her stiffle and fetlock. She was given steroid and anti-inflammartory injections and nerve blocks, along with pain killers.

Is no longer on medicaton and as I said has been turned away. My friend got in contact with me as she knows I only hack and recently mentioned I would like a 2nd horse but my partner to come out with me. She mentioned her aunts horse that would be completely free due to his problems.

I have tried reading online and there are even some horses that compete with arthritis but I am just worried of falling in love with him and in a year not even be field sound? She said the vet ok'd him to be a hack and she is slowly bringing him but into work but just walking for now.

Any advice? Does anyone have expereince with arthritis in horses and is it the end of the road for for her or could she be a hack for the rest fo her life?

 

[3OldPonies]

The cob that I ride for my friend has similar problems. We only hack slowly with him and he is fine. I've been riding him for 3 years now and she was riding for about 5 before that after diagnosis. He gets a flare up now and again if either of us overdo it on hard ground or if he's done something daft in the field, but for the most part I would say he is OK.

To be honest, I don't think there can be any certainty about the future, but based on experience I think as long as you accept the restrictions and are careful then I can't see why you wouldn't get several years worth of steady hacking. Competing might be a different story, but again go with the flow and see how he copes. I've always found, I have an oldie (see the other thread about keeping arthritic horse out) that if you can keep them moving regularly they cope better than just being turned away and exercised periodically. So if you were to keep this horse as a hack you could well be doing him a favour.

 

[Nudibranch]

As 3OP says, there can never be certainties but I have owned 4 arthritics over the years and only one had to be pts because of it. The others succumbed to other issues (mostly PPID). Not being suitable for competing is a long way away from not being sound to ride at all, so you may have years and years of happy hacking. Could you speak to their vet and see how things stand? To be honest, if you have the facilities to manage her - i.e. plenty of turnout - and don't mind the odd vet bill if she does eventually need further medication - then you've nothing to lose. I found that low level, but regular exercise kept them mobile for years after diagnosis. Very hard work, or standing doing nothing all day, are the worst options!

 

[touchstone]

Depends on how bad the arthritis is really, as long as you don't mind slow hacking and turning away if needed and are prepared to spend on supplements or bute if the horse needs it then it would be worth a shot. If you are wanting faster/longer hacking and no worries about the horse then I'd walk away.

 

[rowan666]

i have/had a few with arthritis although mild, they all led/are leading long happy and sound lives as happy hackers. it all depends on severity, maybe have a vet check over the horse before you agree to take it on but light hacking is best for arthritis

 

[OWLIE185]

It can only get worse with time and the cost of medication will increase as they become more high maintenance. It is not cheap keeping a horse and one that requires medication will become even more expensive.

 

[Jaffa]

Light hacking I was advised was ideal for my horse when he was diagnosed with arthritis, as you have a horse currently I was ring and speak to your own vet and see what they thought ? If the horse was quiet and you only wanted a light hack, then I would consider it, there are supplements you can give over than bute for arthritis, (my own has boswellia and does very well on it) and as long as you go into with your eyes wide open and be prepared for the odd day off you'll be fine and he could go on for many years yet.

 

[Annagain]

It depends on the severity of the arthritis and the horse to a certain extent. The first time my old boy stopped at a jump with me (he was 24 I had had him 11 years ) I took him straight to our vet, it was unheard of for him to stop. He knew him quite well (owned the centre where pony club held rallies so saw him lots) and took it really seriously as he knew how much he loved his jumping. He flexion tested him and there was a slight difference in front so he xrayed his knees. They were, quite frankly b******d. He was amazed he could walk let alone be doing all he was doing. He said to stop jumping but to keep him going quietly as long as he wasn't showing any signs of pain. He carried on hacking for another 3 years after that before colic took him unexpectedly - the week before he died he legged it home with me on a hack! He never had a day's lameness. A friend's horse had mild (according to xrays) ringbone but was crippled with it. It's like humans, some cope much better than others. Whether that's a higher pain threshold or just them being stoic it's hard to tell.

I'd be inclined to say have him but only if he's perfect for you in every other way and only if you have the capability to retire him or are prepared to PTS if necessary.

 

[B&J]

I've had an arthritic share horse who had blocks and after the initial walk phase after being turned away was sound to hack and very basic schooling. She was fine to walk / trot / canter on hacks on good ground and I did in hand showing classes with her along with veteran ridden classes. She has sadly passed away but wasn't anything to do with the arthritis. My own cob now also has arthritis, so far hasn't needed medication and happily hacks out 3 or 4 times a week. I avoid trotting him on the road as I don't want to make him worse but he trots and canters happily on bridleways with suitable ground.