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Post by cg on May 17, 2016 11:24:07 GMT
Hello
Last October my absolute pride and joy was diagnosed with arthritis in his hocks, it was treated with cortisone injections and since those he has been fine, and feeling great. The last 2 weeks he has deteriorated again and is now worse than he was before. The injections should last 6-9 months and they have lasted 6.
The vet came on Sunday and administered another 2 and agreed it was a lot worse. We have spoken about other options if these don't work these being cartophen and tildren. The vet said it is too advanced for any joint supplements to work and that I would be wasting my money buying those.
I would like to know what experience people have with this and what was the outcome? The vet hasn't said too much, the first time she wanted me straight back on and out hunting, but this time she didn't say as much.
I was under the opinion in a week he would be fine for gentle work then after that can carry on with his season but no I am not so sure, particularly after more research!
I know each horse is different but I want to prepare myself for what to expect, is he going to be able to attend his national championships in August? Is he going to have to have lots of time off? Or do most people just retire them? Or am I completely overthinking and worrying myself!
Any tips, advice and experience welcome, thank you in advance!
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Post by gillwales on May 17, 2016 17:37:10 GMT
Are there any foods that might trigger off his arthritis? I know that pepper in humans does, it is a condition where the body attacks itself , therefore foods that surpress his immune system will be of benifit. Google what happens to humans and you will be able to find similarities to horses. It is worth a try.
Find a level of work that he is comfortable with, keep a diary of how he is; record other info such as tempreture, feed etc, this will help you look back and see a patten. Write to the veterinary universities and see if they are doing any research, offer them the info from your diaries if it does not help your boy , it might help other horses or people in the furture.
Good luck,
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kirky
Full Member
Posts: 238
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Post by kirky on May 17, 2016 20:43:57 GMT
Ethanol injection is another option, this was used on my horse. However also diagnosed with ulcers which too can have an effect on lameness and therefore worth investigation as can be brought on by the treatment already received.
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Post by bilko2 on May 18, 2016 8:34:20 GMT
My pride and joy was diagnosed with arthritic hocks several years ago and had the cortisone injections. He was fine for a few months and then started to show signs of lameness again. We decided financially that we were not in a position to have the injections again and as he owed me nothing he was retired to the field. I had heard about turmeric for arthritis and thought I had nothing to loose. He has now competed in the veteran classes for the past three seasons just missing Olympia qualification twice as reserve champ. He has three scoops of turmeric a day with black pepper and linseed oil. He also has a glucosamine supplement. When he works I do not put too much pressure on him to perform to the level he once did, plenty of big circles and hacking. He is seen by the physio regularly and she is happy with what I am doing and how he is coping. Turmeric is a wonderful supplement and while it may not be the answer for your horse, I would recommend giving it a go alongside any other treatment you decide upon.
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Post by cg on May 18, 2016 11:50:44 GMT
Interesting thought Gillwales I haven't thought about that but to be honest his hind leg conformation isn't the greatest, and he has competed to a fairly high level, I think it is wear and tear, I just want to do the best for him and make him the most comfortable, But I will definitely look into triggers. Vet research is a fantastic idea thank you.
Thank you Kirky, another avenue to look down if this fails.
Thank you bilko2 that is so lovely to hear! He used to be on turmeric but then I took him off it as I wasn't sure if it was achieving anything, I have actually just bought some more but haven't started feeding it again yet, I didn't realise you should feed it in such large quantities I was only feeding a scoop. The vet did say the arthritis was too advanced for supplements to work and she has told me not to buy into the joint supplements. I was thinking apple cider vinegar, or is that the same concept?
This morning he walked out of his box only very fractionally stiff so I am hoping the cortisone is now taking effect and will work, fingers crossed! I will keep you posted and add the turmeric to his feed this evening
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Post by fanfarefan on May 20, 2016 17:49:27 GMT
GOLDEN PASTE ,,,,, turmeric , black pepper and olive oil ,,,,, google it , or go on Turmeric users FB page ,,, youll be amazed at the feed back ,,, but dont cut corners , you need all 3 ingredients to work together ,,, good luck sx
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Post by frankyboy on May 22, 2016 12:35:19 GMT
Be careful with The golden paste as I had a very bad experience with it trying to help arthritic horse .Phone Superfix who make freestep and lamalert and she will help you .
my pony has travelled the exact same as yours and is now sound .x
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Post by cg on May 23, 2016 8:52:46 GMT
Thank you fanfarefan and frankyboy!
Frankyboy can I ask what your bad experience was with golden paste please? My only issue with calling superfix is that the vet has said not to waste my money buying joint supplements, as it is already too advanced for them to be beneficial? Has anybody else found this.
I can take him on a gentle ride today (walk and trot) for the first time! Although I think hes feeling better, the monster galloped off on his way to the field this morning and then wouldn't let me or my partner catch up whilst showing us his best medium trot, I don't think his hocks are too sore at the moment!!!
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lme
Junior Member
Posts: 119
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Post by lme on May 24, 2016 8:58:46 GMT
My little mare bought as a companion and is now 20yrs old, she was diagonosed with Arthritis is both hinds winter 2014/15 and told she would have to have meds and would not be able to be ridden again, we had put her to saddle for the children as she is such a sweet nature - she had been a brood mare and thrived on the attention, we spend 5 months on her , bute, turmeric and the mag bands you can leave on 24/7 - we kept her feet trimmed every 4 weeks for balance ( her hind confirmation was not good when she came, turns out not skeletal but bad trimming) - she came sound and was ridden again late 2015, she lives out 24/7 - she was rugged for last winter , one mag band left on and she has 10ml of no-bute and 1 scoop of turmeric with linseed daily in Happy hoof, she has been sound all winter with no need for any Vet meds and is now running around enjoying the sun doing her job and we hope to start building her up ready for the school holidays. Her Companion is 25 was diagnosed with arthritic changes in hocks over 6 years ago - she was on glucosomine but is now on same management as her fieldmate other than she does not have the mag band on, shes full of it and will be doing walk outs and light short hacks over summer, they both live out 24/7 and thrive on it, firmly believe in keeping them as mobile as possible, bit like me if I stop I seize up in old age.
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Post by gillwales on May 24, 2016 21:21:55 GMT
If you aree going to use bute long term then avoid any increased activity, it speeds up the heart rate so make sure your boy does not have any problems in that area. Having said that it would be a risk I would go for, a heart attack is very quick and quality of life is more important than quanity, if anything works please post
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Post by cg on May 25, 2016 8:02:51 GMT
Thank you everybody! He has been ridden twice now, and feels excellent in himself and rides beautifully however, he is still stiff for the first 3 or 4 walk strides but then sound otherwise, its so strange and frustrating. I have spoken to the vet and she says to persevere over the next month and ride him usually, as it clearly isn't bothering him when he is actually being ridden and if he is still stiff before and after a ride in a month then we will x-ray to see exactly what is going on. I honestly think the magnetic boots are having a worse effect on him, I have just been using them for 20-30 minutes after riding. He is being started on Turmeric today and I am seriously thinking about buting him for the exact reasons you have said above Gillwales. He is also a side saddle display horse and he just loves his displays, and I would really love to take him back out doing what he enjoys! The vet has said no supplements will work, does anybody have experience with no bute? Does it work similar to bute? Its so hard as he is sound and keen when being ridden but not right before and after, I have never seen anything like it, he is stabled at night and always has been and usually stabled in the day at winter, but I think I am going to start leaving him out at night for ease on his joints. I will keep you all posted Thanks again
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Post by madmum on Jun 5, 2016 20:52:38 GMT
My pony had tildren. She had 2 lots of it. When she was re x rayed the hocks had actually "healed". My vet was astounded as was I. She did however only have minor onset so whether this would make a difference I am unsure. It was very expensive however she was insured at the titime.
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Post by cg on Jun 6, 2016 8:29:31 GMT
It seems to be a case of managing and I think I have almost cracked it! We went out to do a display on Bank Holiday Monday and he was just fabulous, back to his usual self, he wasn't stiff before of after, not even after being tied at the trailer for an hour!!! wahoo! He was a little stiff the next morning but that's understandable. He is now living out and it seems to be the best thing I have done! He has magnet boots on for 20-30 mins after riding and turmeric and cortaflex superfenn in his feed. Going to take it steady with him on the hard ground but he is so keen, in fact if anything a little strong when riding and that isn't like him so he must be feeling much better! I think my yearling colt keeps him mobile too haha!
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