Stiff Legs & Joint Supplements............what one is best!

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Smithybaby

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I've only owned my horse for 6 months and he's the first horse I've ever owned. My horse is 10 years old and apparently he has always suffered with "stiff" legs. He's a little slow to get started, but once he's warmed up and working he's a pleasure to ride.

In the past 2 weeks he's been slightly lame, so I've left him to rest. However the longer I leave him the stiffer he gets. I would like to start using a joint supplement, however he isn't on hard feed. Plus he's a little on the fat side and needs to go on a diet. Is there a supplement I can give him without putting it in food? Does anyone out there have any recommendations for me please.
 
Is he still lame. Does he live out 24/7 . Once you know why he was / is lame you will know were to go.

Being over weight will not help him. I would get a Physio to look at him to see if they can help.

There are joint supplements that come in liquid form ie NAF Super Flex is one that can be given by syringing into the mouth. Although a small handful of a fibre would not harm him and you could then add anything to it.

The first thing I would want to know is the reason for him being stiff as 10 is not old.
 
A 10 year old is very young to be suffering from a general stiffness, now he has actually gone lame due to whatever is going on it is time to get a vet to check him, if he is getting arthritic then it is best to know what you are dealing with sooner rather than later when it may be too far gone for veterinary intervention, a supplement can help but it can be more expensive to try and find the right one, all horses are different hence the numerous choices and recommendations, than to get proper veterinary advice.

Being overweight will not help him but unless he is sound you cannot exercise him to reduce the weight or the stiffness so the cycle continues, did he pass the vet when you bought him or did you trust the sellers that the stiffness was just him?
 
Really a vet needs to assess this issue as it may be that the horse needs a veterinary intervention .
However although and I sceptical about all these things I have recently put Fatty on cortaflex ha liquid and you know I think he's never felt better .
 
Thank you for your suggestions. Yes, he is still slightly lame and I had the vet check him out today who has put him on a course of injections for the next few days and has wrapped his legs in cool wraps.

I should say I actually live in Saudi Arabia, where the horse was born and has always lived. Out here we don't have the facilities you get in the UK. Unfortunately, we don't have horse physio's here and no I didn't get him vet checked. I was just pleased to get a well trained, calm horse that used to belong to a parelli instructor in a stables where women are allowed to ride. It's a completely different world here!!!
 
Does he have grazing then? - no idea how horses are kept in SA! - if he's not getting regular grass he could lack vitamin e, and perhaps various other things - even a good general supplement could help?
 
I know how hard it can be to care for horses in different places what you need to do is try to do everything you can to make his life as good as it can be within the confines of your situation .
Good luck with him .
 
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