rforsyth1984
Well-Known Member
Hello
My 19 year old arab has started to show some signs of getting older and I'm a bit worried. He is a bit complex so I have encountered a lot of conflicting advice. The vet is coming next week and it is their advice I shall be following, but I thought it would be helpful if I had some possible ideas I could run by them in terms of supplements/ feed I might use, and maybe you folks have some wisdom and experience that could be helpful?
He has had a few cases of laminitis, including one in 2010 that he nearly didn't survive. I am going to have him tested for cushings, though he has no other signs.
Through winter he lost a bit of weight (shadow of ribs is visiable, hindquarters are a bit dipped etc). Spring has not resulted in weight gain because he is muzzled to reduce grass intake (due to lammy)
He is currently fed happy hoof and speedi beet twice a day, plus ad-lib haylage over night. No problems eating, teeth checked 5 months ago (no major probs)
He is on light hacking (40 minutes, 3-4 times a week). Odd little jump or bit of schooling. Has lost some of his fizz recently, doesnt want to bomb off on the gallops any more. He had most of last year off because I was in hospital so hasnt been properly fit for a couple of years.
He was diagnosed 4 years ago with mild arthritis in his hock. I think this has got a little worse, and may be affecting the other hock as well now. Not visibly 'lame', but does catch his toes in walk slightly.
He has always been known to trip/stumble at times (low daisy cutter action and tendancy to be easily distracted) but I think he is doing it more now - could be due to worsening arthritis or lack of energy?
My initial thoughts are to put him on a veteran feed (D&H 16+ cubes), but I'm worried about lammy. Same thought for joint supps (took him off cortaflex HA after last case of lammy - the filler is sugar based apparently?)
A veteran supplement might help with general health, but not weight gain? This combined with something like high fibre cubes maybe?
Final thought is on retirement - often retirement seems to be the beginning of the end for many horses, but if he is in pain or struggling?
Sometimes I think I'm over exagerating/worrying, other times I'm terrified I'm making him suffer.
Any thoughts?
My 19 year old arab has started to show some signs of getting older and I'm a bit worried. He is a bit complex so I have encountered a lot of conflicting advice. The vet is coming next week and it is their advice I shall be following, but I thought it would be helpful if I had some possible ideas I could run by them in terms of supplements/ feed I might use, and maybe you folks have some wisdom and experience that could be helpful?
He has had a few cases of laminitis, including one in 2010 that he nearly didn't survive. I am going to have him tested for cushings, though he has no other signs.
Through winter he lost a bit of weight (shadow of ribs is visiable, hindquarters are a bit dipped etc). Spring has not resulted in weight gain because he is muzzled to reduce grass intake (due to lammy)
He is currently fed happy hoof and speedi beet twice a day, plus ad-lib haylage over night. No problems eating, teeth checked 5 months ago (no major probs)
He is on light hacking (40 minutes, 3-4 times a week). Odd little jump or bit of schooling. Has lost some of his fizz recently, doesnt want to bomb off on the gallops any more. He had most of last year off because I was in hospital so hasnt been properly fit for a couple of years.
He was diagnosed 4 years ago with mild arthritis in his hock. I think this has got a little worse, and may be affecting the other hock as well now. Not visibly 'lame', but does catch his toes in walk slightly.
He has always been known to trip/stumble at times (low daisy cutter action and tendancy to be easily distracted) but I think he is doing it more now - could be due to worsening arthritis or lack of energy?
My initial thoughts are to put him on a veteran feed (D&H 16+ cubes), but I'm worried about lammy. Same thought for joint supps (took him off cortaflex HA after last case of lammy - the filler is sugar based apparently?)
A veteran supplement might help with general health, but not weight gain? This combined with something like high fibre cubes maybe?
Final thought is on retirement - often retirement seems to be the beginning of the end for many horses, but if he is in pain or struggling?
Sometimes I think I'm over exagerating/worrying, other times I'm terrified I'm making him suffer.
Any thoughts?