Weight limit on arthritic horse

[katieB]

I think I already know the answer to this but should I consider putting a lower weight limit on my share ad for Milly? She is normally a fairly good weight carrier but now she has ringbone I am worried about putting un neccessary extra weight on her joints. Is it wise to knock a stone or two off what I would normally allow?

[Pale Moon]

I would certainly do this KatieB - my horse has arthritis in his pasterns and I have limited any potential sharers now to 9.5 stone maximum - he used to carry at least eleven easily.

I have also restricted what my sharer can do and the length of time that she rides too - no more than half an hour at a time, no jumping, limited lungeing etc.

Luckily my sharer Josie is absolutely fantastic and I trust her implicitly, which is important if you have a horse with an arthritic condition, I know that she won't ever overwork him.

Incidentally, I have had my horse on Pernamax tablets for the last six months and they have made him totally sound without the need for bute, cortaflex or anything else. My vet has been absolutely gobsmacked by the change in him, because he was badly lame bilaterally in January and needed three bute a day.

If you want to try it, please PM me and I will give you the website.

Good luck.

Rachel

[Trewsers]

Yeah, I definitely consider less weight - OH's horse has arthritis - and its lucky that OH is a relative lightweight! Wouldn't let anybody heavier ride him tho - makes sense really doesn't it? That is also a very good point by Pale Moon about overwork - I would make sure its made clear how much work your sharer can do with Milly.

[katieB]

Luckily my sharer Josie is absolutely fantastic and I trust her implicitly, which is important if you have a horse with an arthritic condition, I know that she won't ever overwork him.



Isnt it just. My current sharer finishes at the end of the week due a big change in her working hours and im gutted she's going, she was a brilliant sharer and I trusted her 110% with Milly. Will PM you for that website.

[amandal]

Depends on the severity of the arthritis really. Pale Moon I guess that's just hacking ? It can take me up to half an hour to warm my arthritic mare up if we're schooling !

[Bobbin]

I think it is a factor, I am currently hinking about that with Bryony.