Those of you with RA, joint issues etc - any tips on managing with horses?

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Countrygirl40

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As above really, I’ve been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, possibly RA but they aren’t sure. If anyone has any tips and hints for managing when you have horses as my wrists and shoulders in particular are getting so painful now it’s stopping me doing most things I could do up the yard 12 months ago 😢
 
Hot baths, shiatsu machine (not expensive on Amazon), ankle wraps for riding or tasks in heavy mud, CBD, painkillers, Ibuprofen gel, keeping warm generally. Winter is pretty hell ish. I have EDS so very similar to RA
 
What Bbc has said. Also you ( one) needs to get used to the idea of somewhat lowering your own standards probably, like with grooming and mucking out etc. If you have automatic waterbowls great,if not then be prepared to take twice as long with water buckets because you only fill them half full to fill drinker, or get a hosepipe set up. Stops so much pulling on joints.That sort of thing. xx
 
I actually ended up giving up my share when I first came down with psoriatic arthritis but things that keep me vaguely functioning: infrared saunas, staying as warm as possible (as in I sometimes walk the dog with a hot water bottle in my coat), lots of private physio because the NHS one was worse than useless and discharged me after 3 sessions of "helping' with one joint.

As a general thought, keep tormenting your rheumatology department, do not settle until you're on a drug that works for you. You'd be amazed how many people just suffer on not pushing for new drugs while people who are squeaky wheels are living good lives on a drug that works for them.

If you're new to having an autoimmune condition there's a few of us about here, it's a topic that gets discussed with some regularity, so a search of the forum might have some tips, or I'm always open for a PM if you have any queries. I've a different type of arthritis but battling with doctors (successfully) has become somewhat of a hobby for me.
 
Thanks all - it’s my own yard and no one to help except hubby when he’s about on a rare weekend off! Def need to start thinking about making my life easier gadget wise! Thankfully horses are out 24/7 but it’s still tricky as hands are crap!
 
I have ankylosing spondylitis, the worst thing is the exhaustion rather than the pain but I'm careful not to do too much lifting and to pace myself. I've been a lot better since being on immunosuppressant therapy, it's not for everyone as there are side effects but its worked for me.

I've had a hopeless physio on the nhs who claimed I'd just pulled a muscle and would get better on my own but I've got a brilliant one now. It's just luck, but the right exercises do help to keep you flexible and sitting around too long makes you stiff.

Voltarol max strength is good for my hands but they have osteoarthritis rather than inflammatory arthritis.

The main thing is accepting that you need to take more care of yourself, not overdoing it and making things as easy as possible. Think about getting some paid help.
 
Keep warm is key for me. It's my hips that cause me most issues. I wear overtrousers and long waterproof coats to keep the wind off. Lightweight as I'm also peri menopausal so get warm quickly (sometimes very quickly). OH has terribly arthritic hands, they look like claws. He uses insulted gloves to keep his joints from cramping up.

If your ponies are out 24/7 I'd recommend investing in a large hay feeder and a hosepipe to fill large troughs with water without buckets.

We invested in a quad to poo pick and chain Harrow, which I was adamant was a waste of money, but I wouldn't be without it now. I don't keep my horses how I did 10 years ago, I keep them the way it works for us.
 
suffering similar with my hands, years of strong ponies as a kid, typing being a main function of my full time role and just osteo in my case, I am using emu wax (bloody expensive and I haven't researched how it is produced.......) but it does help the daily pain of my knuckles and other finger joints, wearing gloves everywhere, herd is out 24/7, grip is appalling!!!!
 
I have Raynaud's with associated joint pain (wrists) and also mildly hypermobile in fingers, toes and knees. My number one strategy is keeping warm, particularly as my heart rate is also low. I haven't been very successful this year and my feet were a mess a couple of weeks ago - painful fissures as a result of swelling/cold. I've been slathering them in aqueous cream (Boots own brand is amazing). Glove wise I use Sealskinz Tog4 rated and Unilite Thermo Plus work gloves (these are also good for riding in!). I wear wrist warmers for work, these days. My best ones were hand knitted and have a thumb hole, so come quite far down the hand. I'm double socking most days at the moment. Merino Wool thin base and either a standard sock or my Sealskinz socks as outer. Still got cold feet, but they're not getting worse - the damage is healing! I also take a flask with me to the yard. We do have a tea room, but it's a fair trek for me, so I'm more likely to look after myself if I've prepared the flask and taken tea/hot choc sachets and biccies with me!
 
I have RA. Firstly, once properly diagnosed and on the right drugs, I am 100% back to normal. The only lingering issue is that if I get cold my hands go numb.

At my worst, I was in pain just sitting on the sofa, I couldn't sleep at night but couldn't stay awake in the day. Which made life with two dogs, two horses, two kids and a business to run pretty fun!

Keeping warm is really important and tbh with the horse just to the bare minimum to get through the short term. I found buckles on rugs really tricky but was able to do the rugs that have the same closure as the surcingle much easier.
 
Echo what others are saying re the right drugs and also get them in a form that works for you. I take Sulfasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine orally and Methotrexate and Amgevita via injection. I am still tired the day after the Methotrexate injection but no nausea since I swapped from taking it orally.
 
I’ve got grade 4 arthritis in my thumb (only 34 and been told I need a new joint) but I’m managing it atm. The single best thing that has helped me is seeing the chiropractor every 12 weeks and she does some massage on my forearm and shoulder and it relaxes the tendons and relieves the pain greatly! I use voterol gel on it now only occasionally if it’s still a bit painful if I’ve done too much or it’s really cold but there was a stage I was using it 3-4 times per day just so I could function properly but the chiropractor had made such a difference I don’t really have to do anything! i’ve adapted the way I use that hand and now don’t even notice the way I hold things etc. I wear gloves for riding as the cold aggravates it when riding else and I try my best to keep it warm all of the time. I’m even using it to type this now which a while back was unheard of due to the pain! hope you find something that works for you.
 
Just as a matter of interest do any of you take supplements ? I know we give the horse theirs but had a quick chat with other horse people and very few us do I would like to start but it is a mine field for what you can take that will help our joints etc
 
I take methylcobalamin B12 tablets, super cheap and apparently more bioavailable that standard b12 and it has worked wonders for my energy levels. I also take fish oil twice a day.
 
blood_magik said:
Decent painkillers 😅
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This 🤣

Also if you can afford to maybe have a free lancer come in a few times a week for jobs you struggle with.

I pay someone to poo pick as this last year its really hurt doing the heavy lifting.

I would list the things you struggle with and see what can change / pay to help


Also, having good thermals in winter, m&s heat gen long tops are my go to.

Good gloves, good body warm and layer up.

What meds are you on?

I am on Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine and Inflixamab infusions every 8 weeks at the hospital. Its taken a few years to get the right combo. So making sure they work for you is my number one. Then get / pay for help when you can.
 
welshcobabe said:
Just as a matter of interest do any of you take supplements ? I know we give the horse theirs but had a quick chat with other horse people and very few us do I would like to start but it is a mine field for what you can take that will help our joints etc
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Vit d, tho have run out and need to get some more.

I take folic acid because of the Methotrexate
 
I take Folic acid but that’s because I’m now on methotrexate, as well as sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine.

I find I take a lot longer to get moving now so have to give myself extra time to get things done. Also, don’t be afraid to lower your standards as and when required - no point pushing through if it’s going to leave you crippled the next day
 
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