What supplements for pony oldish pony with arthritis?

[jemz]

Hiya!

Just wondered what people would suggest for my pony, he is approx 18yr Welsh A who came to me from a RS in August after being thrown out in the field for a year due to his arthritis (supposedly causing him to be lame) and was very very poor, since i got him he's had his teeth done, been wormed etc and had his back done, as a result is no longer lame, as his pelvis was tilted and rotated putting strain on his arthritic hock!

Anyways, he's put on 85kg nice and slowly and is looking much better but I was wondering if anyone could suggest any joint supplements, I know he's never going to be nimble again, but would like to make thinkg easier for him. He doesnt seem in pain, just stiff in his bad hock.

At the moment he is in on a night and out in the day and has two feeds comprising of 16plus mix, kwik beet, alfalfa light and cod liver oil, plus ad lib hay over night. He is lightly ridden (i.e. 15-20 mins walk and trot) once a week and i lead him out from my mare twice a week for half an hour in walk (he wouldnt be able to keep up in trot!)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[wickesy1]

you could try some equiflex from vetvits, think there are a few theads about these supplements on here at the mo. I used to use it on my old horse and definatley saw the difference in him. Have also used No Bute in the past. Maybe something like and All Purpose or Veteran supplement as well. NAF products or Feedmark do both.

[carthorse]

Cortaflex is good & years ago I found Hilton Herbs Reflex made a huge difference to my old stiff pony. Cooked linseed meal will help his joints & is also good for weight gain (plus he'll have a lovely shiny coat :)).

Other than that try to give him as much light work as possible & keep him warm & dry. There are pros & cons of stabling overnight - some are stiffer because they can't move around as much but some are better because they are kept warm & dry, it's a case of try it and see.

It sounds like he landed on his feet when he found you!

[NuttyMare]

something like Equimin's Old Horse would be good for him I think...its got white willow and meadowsweet included in it and they are excellent for joints and comfort.

http://www.equimins-online.com/acatalog/Equimins_On_Line_Equimins_Old_Horse_Liquid_Herbal_Tincture_8.html


I absolutely love Riaflex Complete as well, it is really helping my gelding who can never stay sound :rolleyes:

http://www.riaflex-equine.co.uk/product_riaflex_complete.htm


or Feel Good 30 Joint + Relief is good too.
http://www.quayequestrian.com/feelGood30/ProductDetails.aspx?id=203

[jemz]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, My mate suprised me yesterday with a bottle of wendells liquid devils claw so I'm going to see how he gets on with that and if that doesnt help then I'll try some of the suggestions!

[eml]

I wouldn't use devils claw/nobute type preparations unless he is in pain. There is no academic evidence but a lot of suspicion that they may be as bad for the liver as Bute.

Codliver oil, cortaflex and other joint supporting supplements would be better.

[jemz]

ok, surely his arthritis will be causing him pain? He's already on cod liver oil.

[eml]

Sorry I was just going on the fact he was not lame and just stiff in his joints.

I tend to use herbal bute substitutes only when horses show symptoms such as shortened strides ie when you would use normal bute.

[jemz]

He's always stiff in his hind, and doesnt move properly through from behind, which as far as we can tell is linked to his arthritis, Its hard to tell with him what is normal and what isnt as Ive only had him since august and with the state he came to me in makes it even more difficult!

[xhorseygirl13x]

NAF flex and glusomine are quite useful for older horses.but i have a 26yr old mare who i ride 3 or 4 times a week and she can be stiff sometimes so i give her vegetable oil in her feed and that usually does the trick x

[HairyCob]

I wouldn't use devils claw immediately either- it is effectively a pain killer and will mask the problem rather than reduce it.

If Dolly doesn't have her joint supplement then her arthritis is bad enough for her to be in pain, but with it, she isn't in pain- no lameness, no shortened strides etc.

I have tried lots of different supplements, some she would eat, some she wouldn't, some had more effect than others but the one I stick to like glue now is Feelgood 30- marvellous stuff!

[jemz]

OK, I'll ditch the devils claw then, Going to feed merchants tomorrow so will see what theyve got in, just hard to know which to go for as there are so many!

This is him the day I picked him up by the way!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg260/jemz84/star2.jpg

And this was back in november after putting a fair bit of weight on, having been woken up to be given a groom!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg260/jemz84/Star.jpg

[jemz]

Ok, Ive got Star on cortaflex now, done the ten days on double dose as per the instructions and now onto the maintenance level. How long should it take before I should (if it helps him) notice a difference?

[mikh]

prefer this: http://www.equineanswers.co.uk/default.asp to cortaflex, in my opinion I noticed more difference.