What Would You Do?

[TheresaW]

Mac is 12. He had arthritis and ringbone diagnosed in his near fore about 2 years ago, and arthritis in both hocks was diagnosed last year. He has never really shown any problems with his hocks, but he had a kick and subsequent x-rays showed it. We were told by vet to keep him as mobile as a possible. He lived out all last summer, but didn't fare too well once grass died off (we did hay the field, but he kept breaking out), so he came in and has his own little paddock that he can go out in during the day to mooch about. He is still ridden daily. The plan is that he is going back out at the end of this month. Farrier is due Tues, so he will probably go out Tues evening.

Anyway, last weekend,we did a sponsored ride at Frensham. (Vet said we could continue to do what we do, just bute him for a few days before and after). He was absolutely fine on the day, really full of himself and forward. Since Sunday though, he has been lame on his near fore. He is coming out stiff in the mornings, and although he walks it off a bit during the day, he is still a bit lame in the evenings. He doesn't move around that much in his paddock though, although I do spread his hay around to try and encourage him to move, it isn't that big. I have still been riding him in the evenings, just walking him out for half an hour or so as he is a real git to walk out in hand. I know he probably overdid it a bit on the ride, but to be fair, the ground there was a lot kinder than the ground at home, and he wasn't jumped at all. Because he is still being ridden, I know I am being slagged off up the yard at the moment. Once he goes back out on Tues, I am going to give him a few days off, and if I see no marked improvement in him, I will call the vet. Am I doing the right thing?

 

[pelly]

Have you got a Stream/River near by? It would help his condtion. My sisters 27 yo ISH has Arthiritus and she still jumps 1m20 courses on her good days and hobbles on her bad

Water therapy is excellent, think of all the racing yards with swimming pools ?

 

[jewel]

i'm sorry but i would be retiring him

 

[TheresaW]

How do you mean by retire him? He won't live in a field 24/7 and do nothing it would drive him nuts. I am happy to listen to all ideas, but please bare in mind, he is pretty sound 85% of the time.

 

[Jellicle]

My share horse is in a very similar position. We are doing exactly what you are doing. Stiffness doesn't necessarily mean something sinister - we all get stiff occasionally. Obviously if he doesn't recover by Tues then get the vet.

 

[Natassia]

My 7 y/o gelding has a higher ringbone on 1 of his pastern joints and is sound at the moment, he has been for a while and I'm assuming that the joint has fused. He is on Mobifor and soya oil daily, and I really recommend them as he has stayed sound, and moves beautifully. Do you give your horse a supplement or any other treatment?
I try to ride as much as I can but due to work and university this isn't every day, although he gets all day out in the field and its large enough for him to move as much as he wants to. To be honest, I wouldn't be riding if I were you, surely your horse will be ok without a few days exercise? And get the vet out as soon as possible, as this could be the beginning of a more serious problem.

 

[TheresaW]

He is on glucosamine at the moment as well as instant linseed and apple cider vinegar. Am only riding him at the moment as it is the only way I can guarantee he gets out and stretches his legs until he goes back out in big field. Once he goes back out on Tues, will be giving him time off to see what happens.

 

[fairhill]

Hi Theresa, as you know Chloe is in a similar position to Mac

She was vetted at the riding school on Tuesday, and found to be lame in the right hind, where she has arthritis and a bog spavin, probably due to me taking her for a gallop earlier in the week

They've given her some bute, and she's much better, and we're going to try her at the school for a month to see how her legs cope. If she's still lame, then we're going to turn her out for the summer, and I'll hack her a couple of times a week, and see how she is at the end of summer. After just one week of gentle exercise they've seen an improvement in her.

Arthritic horses are better kept moving, so you're right to carry on exercising him, but maybe keep the galloping down to a minimum from now on.

I'd get the vet out for him, as you might find that he needs some bute every couple of weeks just to help keep him moving. It's coming up to the warmer weather now, so he should start improving.
Hope he feels better soon

 

[TheresaW]

Thankyou. At the moment, we are only walking him, and he is on 1 bute a day. When he is sound, we often trot and only really canter on the grass or if we have had rain and ground is softer.

Congratulations BTW.