time to retire?

T

TarantuLove

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 January 2009
Messages
286
Visit site
I just can't seem to get my horse comfortable. He can take about 5 minutes under saddle in the school and then his performance goes down, he head tosses under saddle whether you are asking for softness or not.

Whenever I school him he just hates it. Any request at all to soften and he doesn't like it, I thought ok fine maybe it is time for him to become a hack, I hack him out he is ok, but will still headtoss towards the end of the ride.

The thing that has stuck in my mind is that when he had 4 months off work, the physio came out and said he was the best and most comfortable he has ever been. So the fact he seems less comfortable now he is back in work, maybe it is time to stop the ridden work?

The problem is also that he has arthritis, he is permanently of low grade lameness and he just never seems 100% comfortable. He has regular physio, a well fitting saddle etc. He is never worked particularly hard and whenever I do he still doesn't seem to enjoy it.

He has just had some time off, but should I give him the rest of the winter off and try again in spring when it is warmer for his joints? Or will the lack of work make him stiffen up more? I was thinking about putting him on Danilon long term to keep him comfortable. Maybe I should turn him out 24/7?

My insurance will not cover any investigations into lameness either, so I cannot get any scans done
frown.gif
frown.gif


any advice?
smile.gif
 
Schoolwork (turns/circles) puts more strain on legs so thats probably why he doesnt like that. Permanent low grade lameness means permanent low grade pain. As much turnout as possible is good. You could try an alternative to danilon first, such as herbs (celery seed, hawthorn, buckwheat boswellia all good for arthritis. first three together, last one on its own). Gentle hacking is fine if he can cope but carrying a rider is extra weight on painful joints and if he isnt enjoying it then its time to stop.
 
I would give something a try that I have found works miracles - EMRT (Equine Muscle Releaset Therapy) which is a type of Bowen. I use Julian Gaze and everyone I know including my horse says that their horses are happier, heathier and sounder after being treated. Its just unbelievable. PM me if you want his number.
 
I agree with Teddyt that school work puts extra strain on joints and muscles. My horse has arthritis and I very occasionally school him in walk and trot only and for 15 mins at a time.

It sounds like you are doing everything you can for your horse.

I have had good results with hilton herbs reflex which contains devils claw, hawthorn etc and Cortaflex HA.

Not exercising him will result in stiffness. If Danilon will stop him being in pain and then able to be lightly hacked out to avoid stiffness, this could be the way to go.

I would talk to your vet about your concerns and see what he thinks.
 
can you not just hack?
schooling is more demanding on the joints.
time out as much as poss helps them keep mobile
ask the vet about long term painkillers.better to have him on low dose and comfy than struggling.
 
If he has arthritis you need to keep him in exercise as this will keep him more supple. Light hacks would probably be best. Have you tried any supplements? I used to use devils claw and Equiflex on my oldster. When the devils claw stopped being so effective he was on Danilon every other day.
It's difficult knowing where to strike the happy balance when your horse has arthritis. I would ask the vet's advice and take it from there.
 
i had to reitre my 17.3 gelding last September due to arthritis. I hadn;t schooled him from the age of 16-19, we just hacked and hunted; but i the summer he had a few nasty falls on the road and i decided it was no longer fair to man or beast. He does seem more stiff not being ridding but he's turned out for 12 hours a day. He's 20 now and seems very happy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top