Joint supplements -v- back man

DITZ

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Dec 31, 2002
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I have a lovely tb who suffers with a bad back. Occasionally he puts his back out and I get a specialist to come out and sort him. He's a 'healing hands' man who works wonders. After he's been out my horse goes like a dream for about a month but then seems to get progressively stiffer and more uncomfortable.

I was contemplating whether to buy some sort of joint supplement and have just been looking at the cost which is quite high. Whilst cost isnt a primary issue I was wondering whether for the same price I would be better just scheduling a regular appointment with the back man and keep him on top form and also I think probably prevent him from putting his back out so often?

Let me know what your opinions are.
 
Hi Ditz

Try Cortaflex - we use it on quite a few horses where I work with really good results. I've just put my arthritic 20 year old mare on it after doing lots of research on the various supplements. Our back man recommends it too. I would recommend investing in a good supplement but also get your back man out twice yearly or more if you think appropriate.
 
They both do different things, I don't think one can replace the other.

Joints that misalign/go out or whatever do so for a reason, the underlying reason could be muscle spasm or soreness that's become chronic, ill-fitting tack, a slip or fall in the field, endless possibilities really but there are some things that can make a horse more prone to this type of thing (Bebe is one of these horses).

Joint supplements are designed to prevent/slow down degenerative forces within the cartilage & joint fluid. Depending on the type they'll also reduce inflammation (thereby making the horse more comfotable so you'll see an improvement in any symptoms the horse has.

To my mind, it's not always a case of one or the other. It depends on the problem but generally for a horse that has a recurring short-term problem (in that a visit from the back man fixes it for a while), I'd probably be looking at a joint supplement for long term relief if the problem is joint related, or a series of Bowen/massage treatments to release the muscles in the surrounding area as for recurring problems it's quite likely that muscle spasm is what makes the problem resurface. If it is a muscular based problem, specific exercise to target the affected area & make it stronger will probably do more long term than joint supplements.

At least, this is my take on things.
 
Bebe puts it well.

Just one thing to add - I keep hearing superb stuff about Cortaflx and have been doing some shopping. It comes in liquid, powder and pelleted form. The powder is actually MUCH cheaper than the others and one 2.5 pound container is supposed to last a few months!
 
am going to invest in some cortaflex and see how I go. Had a little hack this morning and then gave him a massage. It really seems to hit the spot if I rub or scratch him on his shoulders just under his withers he twists his head round in strange places and really arches it. I dont know what I'm doing but he does seem to like it!
 
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