Osteoarthritis

[MrA]

I don't really know if I'm looking for advice, more just to hear your experiences of this in your horses.

Ale was diagnosed almost 10 years ago stifles and front right knee. We haven't really had any issues up until recently. He's getting a bit worse to trim, I give him bute before hand which helps. My trimmer says he is a lot better than some. She's brilliant gives him all the breaks he needs, keeps his feet lower, very patient.

I've also noticed when he stands up from laying down those first few steps seem very painful on his RF. After the few steps he is sound.

What works best for you with yours? Any tips for making him more comfy. I will definitely speak to the vet again also.

 

[carthorse]

If your vet is happy with it I'd keep him on a low dose of bute, at least while the ground is this hard. Also make sure his foot balancee is spot on even if it means trimming a little more often.

 

[Frances144]

I give Haakon Bozmerix - one sachet a day. It is a game-changer for him. If it didn’t help him, I would’ve put him to sleep. He is 32yo.

I tried another mare on it and it had no effect at all.

 

[Trewsers]

Storm is on long term danilon - she's 31. Before the farrier comes I give her an extra one, vet said it would make it easier on her to be trimmed and it does. My farrier is lovely and patient with them all and gives her a rather unusual trim on one of her back feet, it works with the arthritis (difficult to explain but it looked a bit odd the first time) and really does help her.
She also gets Naff Devil's Relief, a small maintenance dose daily which also helps - particularly in the winter time when we have the gales which means she needs to stay in a little more. She has the biggest house out of the three of them though lol (she has more or less the entire byre) which is good for her if she does have to stop in longer. Zi has arthritis in his back end, I knew this when we took him, touch wood its really only been the last couple of years I've actually noticed it. We've had him nine years! He gets a low dose of Danilon too and has maintenance dose of Nutraquin Plus.
Interesting @Frances144 that your mare did not respond to the Bozmerix. Storm was trialed on Cosqeuin and it had no effect at all. However it really helped Joe who had DJD from a young age and you could really see a difference. I guess what works for one doesn't always work on others. Overall I think the Naff Devil's Relief is pretty good for all of them though.

 

[newforest]

Nothing useful to add as no knowledge of this.
Just reached to say what a super photo that is

 

[Jessey]

Lovely picture

Phoenix used to suffer, if the ground was hard or if it was particularly cold, he was better out and moving rather than being stabled. I used to put wraps on him to keep his joints a bit warmer in winter, I found some good ones with a silver lining that reflected his body heat back in which did the best job (not relevant just now though!)

He was on devils claw initially and that kept him comfortable for years but eventually he ended up on a low dose of bute, and it definitely made him happier.

I’ve heard lots of good things about the EQU streamz bands, a friend of mine absolutely swore by them for his arthritic gelding, said he noticed he was significantly worse if they were left off for any reason even just for a night. Those weren’t around when Phoenix was.

 

[Trewsers]

That's reminded me, I also have Equilibrium magnetic chaps for Storm, I haven't used them in a while, but they did help when she was stabled more and in a smaller box, with less room to move around.

 

[MrA]

If your vet is happy with it I'd keep him on a low dose of bute, at least while the ground is this hard. Also make sure his foot balancee is spot on even if it means trimming a little more often.

Thank you I will discuss this with the vet and my trimmer today, he's 6 weeks currently but can always shorten if she thinks wise.

 

[MrA]

I give Haakon Bozmerix - one sachet a day. It is a game-changer for him. If it didn’t help him, I would’ve put him to sleep. He is 32yo.

I tried another mare on it and it had no effect at all.

Thank you, I will do some reading and look into this

 

[MrA]

Nothing useful to add as no knowledge of this.
Just reached to say what a super photo that is

Thank you, he's very photogenic and doesn't he know it!

 

[MrA]

Lovely picture

Phoenix used to suffer, if the ground was hard or if it was particularly cold, he was better out and moving rather than being stabled. I used to put wraps on him to keep his joints a bit warmer in winter, I found some good ones with a silver lining that reflected his body heat back in which did the best job (not relevant just now though!)

He was on devils claw initially and that kept him comfortable for years but eventually he ended up on a low dose of bute, and it definitely made him happier.

I’ve heard lots of good things about the EQU streamz bands, a friend of mine absolutely swore by them for his arthritic gelding, said he noticed he was significantly worse if they were left off for any reason even just for a night. Those weren’t around when Phoenix was.

Thank you, I had been considering some wraps in winter, especially the night before his trim thought that may help so will have a look into them. Also devils claw is something I hear a lot about so will read more into this if the vet thinks supplements are worth a try before going low dose bute consistently. You have reminded me that one of the other liveries uses those bands so will also try and have a chat with her thanks!

 

[MrA]

It's trim day today, his first one of the year since living out so will be interesting to see how he copes.

He had a body massage on the weekend which I try and get done every couple of months. He has a tight hamstring on the same side as the arthritis knee (the worse one, I'm sure they both have some) which she thinks is probably due to compensating for that leg.

 

[MrA]

Lots of pain today which is such a shame to see. It seemed today like he didn't want to put any weight into his back legs. Feet nice and cold, no raised pulses so trimmer suspects it is more joint based. So I'll speak to vet and look into your ideas you have all suggested.

I also wondered about standing him on some matting for his trim like the fatigue mats you get for humans

 

[PePo]

Sorry to hear he is struggling

I'd definitely speak to the vet for long term pain management. Is he on a joint supplement? I've seen a big difference using Equine Answers joint supplemement. More so than I'd have expected from a supplement.

Boswellis is also very good.

I also really rate magnetic bands. I use Magnetix leg bands and they are designed to be on long term.

 

[Trewsers]

Lots of pain today which is such a shame to see. It seemed today like he didn't want to put any weight into his back legs. Feet nice and cold, no raised pulses so trimmer suspects it is more joint based. So I'll speak to vet and look into your ideas you have all suggested.

I also wondered about standing him on some matting for his trim like the fatigue mats you get for humans

I bought grass mats to make a path for Fuzzy that lead to the byre - she's unshod and finds the stones on the yard hard going, specially after a trim. The grass mats are easy to move about and light weight too but cushion nicely.

 

[MrA]

Sorry to hear he is struggling

I'd definitely speak to the vet for long term pain management. Is he on a joint supplement? I've seen a big difference using Equine Answers joint supplemement. More so than I'd have expected from a supplement.

Boswellis is also very good.

I also really rate magnetic bands. I use Magnetix leg bands and they are designed to be on long term.

Thank you, I have tried a variety of joint supplements all for at least 3-6 months and seen nothing from the ones I've used. Hargyl, joint force, dodsen and horrell, naf super flex to name a few. He's now on tumeric and glucosamine with MSM which is what I have seen the best results with. But I'll look into the ones you have suggested and the magnetic bands.

He's a photo of him, this is a big improvement on what I saw before starting the turmeric and glucosamine combo, when he couldn't actually reach his back hooves. He's also on chaste tree berry, gut health and occasional calmer.

 

[MrA]

I bought grass mats to make a path for Fuzzy that lead to the byre - she's unshod and finds the stones on the yard hard going, specially after a trim. The grass mats are easy to move about and light weight too but cushion nicely.

Grass mats are a great idea thank you as easy to move, what are your style like, the ones with holes in? Just to check

 

[Trewsers]

Grass mats are a great idea thank you as easy to move, what are your style like, the ones with holes in? Just to check

Yes, the holey ones like this;

I made her a path so that the yard stones wouldn't put her off sheltering if need be.

 

[MrA]

Yes, the holey ones like this;
View attachment 136130
I made her a path so that the yard stones wouldn't put her off sheltering if need be.

Fab thank you so much, also lovely photo!