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Kate Brazil
19 Oct 2009 17:59
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My 14yr. old coloured cob was v. slightly lame -more unlevel rather than unsound this summer. The vet diagnosed possible arthritis and suggested a six-week rest to be followed by re-evaluation. He seemed sound after his rest, but once I progressed from walking exercise the problem re-appeared. He has no heat or swelling and the vet is 99% sure of his diagnosis. His unlevelness resolves itself after about a minute trotting, and is only really noticable if you trot him directly after standing in for a while. I'm giving him Glucosamine, and keeping him out, with a shelter shed, so that he doesn't get a chance to stiffen. Has anyone any advice, or experience with managing a horse with this condition? I've been hacking him lightly as I've been told its better to keep him moving, and he seems to enjoy going out. My vet is reluctant to put him on bute permanently at this stage.
Unfortunately, I keep him at livery. If I have to retire him I will, but it means there'll be no riding for me as I can't afford to keep two horses, and I wouldn't dream of putting him down or trying to sell him.
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Horse Hero Guru
19 Oct 2009 20:59
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Hi Kate
I am sorry to hear that your horse has arthritis. The name arthritis just means soreness of the joints, so covers a wide range of ailments. As horses (and humans!) get older they are more likely to have problems since the cartilage begins to wear out faster than it is produced. This leads to bone-to-bone contact and consequent joint injury. It is particularly so horses who’s toes turn out or who have crooked legs as this causes cartilage to wear out unevenly. Other contributory factors are overwork, excess weight or lack of physical fitness.
Arthritis is manageable if it is detected early enough and depends upon the severity of the disease and the amount of work the horse is expected to perform. As those of us who are older will tell you, keeping moving and keeping the joints warm helps a great deal, but if there is heat or swelling then rest is best together with cold treatment to reduce the heat. I would suggest that you carry on riding as much as possible to maintain mobility
A good supplement helps, but rather than using just glucosamine look for a supplement that combines glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and, if possible, hyaluronate sodium as all these seem to help.
A lot of people find that magnetic boots or a copper band also help (think of those copper and magnetic bracelets people wear).
You say that you wouldn’t dream of having your cob put down and certainly I do not think that that is something to consider now, but if the condition worsens so that he is always in pain then that would definitely be the kindest thing to do.
Good luck – experiment with different therapies and I am sure that you and your cob will have many more years of fun together
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Kate Brazil
20 Oct 2009 08:49
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Thank you so much for that, it makes me less despondent. One more question please - the people who own the yard where I keep him have been very good to me over the years, and are personal friends. However, there is almost no off-road hacking in the area, so all hacking has to be done on the roads. In addition,the land is very hilly and since there is a lot of grass my cob has to be restricted to a small starvation paddock, which slopes. I have been offered a place in another yard, which has a very good reputation. They have a large flat bare paddock for fatties, where he would have to move around more, complete with miles of forestry hacking and a good all weather arena. Would I be right in thinking this would be a much better option for him?
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Horse Hero Guru
20 Oct 2009 09:24
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Kate
Now you are being unfair!
You already know which yard is best for your horse but want me to say so that it is not you who is upsetting your friend!
As a general rule if you are looking for a yard, consider your budget including the cost of travelling to the yard, then choose the one which provides the best facilities and care for your horse – he will live their. The other people using the yard should be your next consideration as you will be working alongside them. Least important is owner facilities - you are only there for a part of the day so the provision of fluffy towels in the loo are a small matter!
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Kate Brazil
20 Oct 2009 09:50
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Yes, you're right, that was unfair. However, just seeing it in print makes me realise which is the right option. And you're also right, fluffy towels never entered into the consideration. They're doing pretty well at my house if they get clean towels, never mind fluffy, so I'm not bothered about them at the yard!
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Ranch Hand
25 Oct 2009 01:18
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"Hi Kate
I am sorry to hear that your horse has arthritis. The name arthritis just means soreness of the joints, so covers a wide range of ailments. As horses (and humans!) get older they are more likely to have problems since the cartilage begins to wear out faster than it is produced. This leads to bone-to-bone contact and consequent joint injury. It is particularly so horses who’s toes turn out or who have crooked legs as this causes cartilage to wear out unevenly. Other contributory factors are overwork, excess weight or lack of physical fitness.
Arthritis is manageable if it is detected early enough and depends upon the severity of the disease and the amount of work the horse is expected to perform. As those of us who are older will tell you, keeping moving and keeping the joints warm helps a great deal, but if there is heat or swelling then rest is best together with cold treatment to reduce the heat. I would suggest that you carry on riding as much as possible to maintain mobility
A good supplement helps, but rather than using just glucosamine look for a supplement that combines glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and, if possible, hyaluronate sodium as all these seem to help.
A lot of people find that magnetic boots or a copper band also help (think of those copper and magnetic bracelets people wear).
You say that you wouldn’t dream of having your cob put down and certainly I do not think that that is something to consider now, but if the condition worsens so that he is always in pain then that would definitely be the kindest thing to do.
Good luck – experiment with different therapies and I am sure that you and your cob will have many more years of fun together
"
A couple of points if I may?
Firstly arthritis is a little more complicated than "just means soreness of the joints". There are over 100 differing types of arthritis in humans alone, and it can be a crippling and debillitating disease.
Secondly, "A good supplement helps, but rather than using just glucosamine look for a supplement that combines glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate and, if possible, hyaluronate sodium as all these seem to help".
This is incorrect. Supplements MAY help, to say "they seem to help" is not the same thing!
Thirdly, "A lot of people find that magnetic boots or a copper band also help (think of those copper and magnetic bracelets people wear)." A recently published study has shown that these devices offer no benefit whatsoever.
Kate, with all due respect I would suggest you seek the advice of your Vet and you may also consider obtaining the opinion of a professional horse nutritionist.
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Chipmunk
17 May 2010 15:56
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Hi Kate,
my 14 year old ID mare got diagnosed with arthritis in october too. I was so worried that she wouldnt be able to do all the things she loves anymore, but that isnt true.
Pepper loves long rides, so obviously I thought she wouldnt be able to do these... but I took her for her first fun ride of the season a couple of weeks ago - 10 miles. and she could have done more. I took it slowly, mostly walking and trotting, with a few canters. she wasnt sore in the slightest. I got off half way round to check her legs and she was fine.
I have her on glucosamine which my vet prescribed. We get it from the vet so we know what is in it. it is just glucosamine and some chondrotin. She has been fine since being on that, and she doesnt have much.
I thhink we were lucky and caught the arthritis early... she was barely lame but i was worried so we got her checked out. LUCKILY! the vet only did x-rays to "make sure".
pepper has it in her fetlock and coffin joints.
She has always loved jumping, but I have decided not to jump her anymore, because although she is fine now, I know that jumping will only put extra pressure on those joints and will potentially speed up the deterioration of the joints. I want her to be able to continue to be ridden and enjoy her life for a long time yet, so I am being as careful as possible.
Also, i have found that leg wraps help loads. We have been putting them on her since beginning of winter because she was coming out of the stable in the morning with stiffness, but since we have used the wraps she hasnt been stiff. they definately help with keeping the joints warm.
I am going to look into some magnetic boots for her too. because I have heard that they help alot.... (ignoring the one scientfic study that says otherwise) I think if you think it helps your horse then it does. Each horse is different. I know people who wear magnetic braclets and they have helped.
I think obviously you should talk to your vet about it if you are worried and need advice, but I think that talking to other peole who are in the same situation and have managed horses with arthritis are just as helpful to talk to. It helped me alot after peppers diagnosis.
wow that was a long one.... hope it helped.
did you move yards???
Hollie
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Horse Hero Guru
17 May 2010 19:17
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I have just read Chipmunk’s advice and agree with all she says.
In doing so, I noticed Ranch Hand’s comments on my previous advice (sorry I missed it before) and would like to respond to them..
Arthritis is a catch-all name for a range of conditions covering inflammation or soreness of the joints – the word comes from the Greek athro (meaning joint) and –it is (meaning inflammation), That is why I said that the diagnosis of arthritis means soreness of the joints. An actual diagnosis following a thorough examination by a vet should specify the cause of the inflammation.
With regard to the use of supplements most peer-reviewed published research has shown significant improvement in joint health in vitro (ie in the lab) with less noticeable improvement in vivo (in living horses). However, many people consider that feeding such supplements help their horse (and themselves). As far as I know there has not been any research into whether this is a placebo effect or an actual one, but regardless of which, if the owner considers it helps and is willing to use the supplements there is no know harm from them.
The third point Ranch Hand makes is that Kate should seek the advice of her vet – which, from Kate’s posting, she has already done and is continuing to do so. I do however agree with the advice of consulting a horse nutritionist – virtually every major feed company employs one who will provide free advice to any horse owner.
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SCMSL
12 May 2011 23:03
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How could a nutritionist help?
Is there a specific diet that would help horses with arthritis? (I know there are several for horses with laminitis...)
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