Question re horses and arthritis

[Miss Meow]

My friend has a 28-year-old thoroughbred with arthritis in his legs. It's manageable in warm weather as Benson is a bit stiff when he starts moving around, but he warms up quickly and is fine. Now with winter coming, he's apparently feeling it more severely than last year. He is rugged and has good shelter and is hand fed. Does anyone have any ideas for helping him out? They are going to try a magnetic rug to see if it alleviates his aches and pains, has anyone tried this before?

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Ive heard of a magnetic rug before, what does your vet say?

[Miss Meow]

The vet said it was worth a try, so it apparently arrived yesterday and they're trying it now. I hope it helps, he's such a great old horse.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I hope the horse is okay Keep us posted

[shellonabeach]

Being at a yard where we have several elderly horses (one is 35 and not retired yet!) I have often dished out the feeds/meds to these guys.

They all (the oldies) have a liquid supplement called "No-bute" this is primarily made from devils claw and is a natural supplement to help relieve pain and stop stiff clicking joints (bute is a drug from the vets and has been associated with liver damage).

Also you may want to try the magnetic BOOTS on his legs (you can get a chain like thing or whole brushing boot length ones) we use the brushing boot type ones - I have read good things about the rug but if the artheritis is in his legs the boots may be better.

[Miss Meow]

Excellent, thank you. I'll pass that info on

[Desert Arabian]

One excellent way to treat horses with arthritis is by giving themdimethyl sulfoxide which reduces swelling and inflamtion. Also, Naproxen is a good medication, because it blocks the pain and also reduces inflamtion. Sodium hyaluronate is yet another treatment to rid of inflamtion. Adequan is one of the most powerful drugs because it help prevent further cartilege deterioration, and it can help re-build the already damaged cartilege.

Let's see, what else...Glucosomine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate work good too, along with theraputic workouts. You mix it in with the horses feed, and it blocks certain emzymes which break down the cartilege.

Here are some suppliments that she could had to her horses feed to help with the pain.

Absorbine FLX
Flex Formula
Equinyl
Flex Free

That is all I know of. I hope she can find some kind of treatment to help her baby! Let us know any information if you get updates!!

P.S....35 and not retired...that is so sick and sad. Do what's best for the horse...retire it. Not work it up until its death. I hate it when people do that!!!!!

[shellonabeach]

YLL

Poppy the 35 year old lives to work - she has done all her life. She only does 20 minutes 3 times a week - with a special needs rider.

Believe me when Poppy gets out in the field after a night in the stable she goes mad - bucking, rolling etc she certainly doesn't look or act her age.

Her owner doesn't retire her entirely because Poppy would just give up and have nothing to live for.

On the other hand Ross my horse is 13 and would gladly retire tomorrow the lazy sod!!

[Miss Meow]

Thanks YLL and Shell, hope it helps Benson through winter in more comfort.