To Stiff for Shoeing

[Jillian]

Just had farrier out to shoe my horses. I mentioned to him that my 20 yo cleveland bay was very stiff on her back legs and he might not be able to get any back shoes on her. He said he would try and get 2 front on as I hack her out but she was not having any of it today. She was obviously having trouble so I told him not to worry and I would see how she went. He said the vet might advise putting her on Bute. She is on cider vinigar,cod liver oil, joint supplement and vitamins at the moment. I have noticed this last fornight she is looking her age although saying that she will still throw in a buck for fun while hacking! My worry is will I know when its the right time to have her PTS

and is it safe for her to be on long term bute or is there a better herbal substitute for joints. I am also unsure whether I should still ride her

I am going to have a word with my vet but would appreciate any advice

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Why not try 'buteless' or 'devils claw' my friends 17yo TB is on 'buteless' as he arthritic and struggles on the hard ground, it has made a new horse of him, he is sooo much happier. She also has to give him bute two days before he is shod and a day after, as he gets footy when he is 1st shod, and the couple before, make it more comfortable for him to hold his leg up for the farrier, so would be worth a chat with your vet too.

 

[AmyMay]

Speak to your vet and get her on some bute - it will make all the difference to her. Long term bute is never advisable - however, 1 or 2 a day for a twenty something horse is no big deal at all.

I had a crock horse on every suppliment going - bute (Danillon) was what made the difference short term.

As for pts. She'll tell you when - and you will know just by looking at her. As long as she is happy and sound then I wouldn't worry at all.

 

[MurphysMinder]

My old pony was put on bute in her mid 20s, just low dose to improve her quality of life. The vet said at her age long term damage wasn't a concern so much as her present day comfort. She kept going until she was 34. Never really had any side effects from the bute, but I am talkaing half aday for a 13.2 pony for most of the time, increased to one a day for her last summer and when she started having trouble getting up we made the decision to pts. I would certainly consider bute for her. And I agree with AmyMay, you will now when the time comes .

 

[NOISYGIRL]

My horse is 27

March 2000 I thought I was going to have to have him put down, he had xrays which confirmed arthritis, worst in his near fore, one day I sat watching him hobble round the school (he was allowed 10 mins turnout in school) He was having adequan (sp) injections which didn't seem to do anything. I was teary and found an old horse magazine to read whilst watching him, it fell open on a cortaflex advert, I thought oh well I can only try it. I started him on the liquid and within a week there was an improvement, 7 years on I am still riding him daily, taking him on pleasure rides, I don't jump him even though he loves it. I might pop him over one in the woods or on a pleasure ride if the ground is ok. From about 2 years ago my vet advised him to have a sachet of Danilon daily. You could try buteless which is supposed to be equivalent to a sachet of bute. My horse won't eat bute, my vet said danilon is better for them anyway, although I don't suppose it makes alot of difference. Good luck

 

[Chex]

Chex (25) has been on Danilon all winter because his arthritis had gotten really bad. He was on one every other day, and it made a huge difference to him. I stopped the Danilon when he started staying out over night. I've started using New market joint supplement and so far he seems to be coping ok.

He's much better if he's ridden daily, so if she's sound I would really reccomend it. I had the vet up in winter, he said keep the weight off and keep them moving and they should cope better. I'd happily give him Danilon everyday as long as it wasn't causing any other problems. My farrier is really careful with him, and holds his back feet about 3 inches off the ground to shoe him (feel sorry for his back!) and that helps too, makes it a comfier experience for him.

I worry about knowing when the "time" is right, but I hope when it comes to it I'll just know

 

[Jillian]

What is Danilon, is it not as strong as bute

 

[Chex]

Its similar to Bute, think it is as strong, but its supposed to be kinder for longterm use. Its also much nicer tasting for fussy horses (mine won't touch bute, but happily gobbles up Danilon!)

 

[alisonpook]

Danilon is supposed to be kinder on the horse' system. Interestingly when I was thinking of switching from Bute to Danilon a few months ago I came across a vet study report on google which said that it had also been reported in a few cases to be more effective than bute in alleviating lameness. Re the shoeing problem I find a couple of bute/danilon for a day or so before can help ease stiffness and walking the horse up and down for 10 minutes just before the blacksmith gets there can help free him up a little for shoeing.