Vetrofen - tripping old horse -knee boots

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kateelliott

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www.activemd.co.uk
I have 27yo TB still in light work who has recently started tripping more often. Vet has checked him over and cant find anything specific just a bit of general stiffness and creaky joints etc. In fact she said he was amazingly well for his age. Im keen to keep him in light work (walk/ tiny trot hacking/long reining 2 times a week) as i think its key to his overall mental/physical wellbeing. He is on 1 bute a day now on vet's advice which seems to ease things a bit but am considering trying vetrofen as read some good things. Anyone got any experiences to share?

Also can anyone recommend knee boots that stay up?! I have some cheap ones but they keep sliding down as elastic is quite stretchy.
 
I've got my 25 yr old TB on NAF 5* and am a big fan of it. My dad started to wean him off it for the summer, as he's turned out 24/7 so more mobile, but after riding him a few times noticed he was "tripping" again so he got put back on it and we've not had a problem since. I personally would leave the bute out and try an alternative, such as NAF 5*. My horse is only excercised a couple of times a week too and can be stiff out the stable in winter. I wouldn't dream of taking him off his suppliment. You can increase it from recommended dose too for extra help.
 
I like the westropp brushing/knee combo boot- you can get them on Ebay and if the horse does go down then they cant get pushed up BUT if it was my horse i wouldnt ride him on the road...if at all..
 
I can recommend Dever Saddlery knee boots, under their Ascot brand. They are leather ones. They slip down a little bit after trotting on the roads but not much, and still remain in the right place over the knee should the worst happen and the horse falls.
Look at www.deversaddlery.co.uk then select ascot bridlework, and other items. I bought mine almost 2 years ago now, and they soften up pretty quickly.

It might be worth checking out whether your local saddlery stocks them cos I bought mine direct from the Dever website but went into my local tack shop at the weekend to find them in there much cheaper!
 
Does your horse have rolled toes on his shoes? If not ask your farrier if he could do so. But for me as Darkly Dreaming said she wouldn't ride him if he is tripping. Me neither, especially on the road. Sorry.
 
Thanks for all the advice and comments. He has only actually fallen once so personally still feel it is ok to ride and not doing much roadwork, but obviously not if he continues to fall.
 
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