Arthritis questions

[Bobbin]

Hi all!

Just a few quick questions.

Most of you know that Bry has arthritis, recently I've noticed that her legs are filling up a little in her stable at night, could this in anyway be related to the arthritis? Why does it happen? Is there anything I can do to prevent it other than bandages as she is a master at removing them.

Also I've noticed her getting stiffer overnight aswell, I've got some magonotherepy boots I've been leant which I am going to try.

Any other thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Shadowlark]

In my experience, the best way to deal with arthritics is to keep them out as much as possible so they can move around more and keep the blood moving and prevent filling and the stiffness from starting.

The other is to pull shoes - by removing the shoe you keep the whole leg a lot warmer which supplies a good deal of relief to the horse's legs - and will help prevent stiffness altogether. If her feet arn't so great, you might want to look it boots for when you are ridding.

I have 3 "severe" arthritics out here at my place 2 of whom where 100% retired and are now back in work and happy. This also worked WONDERS on my 2 years lame with ring bone gelding - it actually brought him into competition form after almost having been sold for meat.

Also there is a lot of research gone into gloucosamine, chondroitin and MSM and how they work BEST if the horse/dog/human gets all three together, also enough can't be said for feeding a good source of essential fatty acids.

[Mehitabel]

fileld legs happens when they don't move round so the fluid accumulates in the legs as the blood isn't pumping enough to carry it away. it's not necessarily related to the arthritis itself, apart from if it's the arthritis keeping her still enough for it to happen. the old git's legs balloon when he is in overnight too - it walks off within minutes.

the magnet boots will boost circulation which should help all the prolems, but the filling legs in themselves are not a cause for concern unless they don't walk off quite quickly.
do try her with some normal cheapy boots first though, in case she takes them off and destroys them, if she is a bandage remover. those magnet boots are too expensive for that!

[Trewsers]

Our Joe's back legs are quite puffy at times when he's been stabled for long periods (hopefully all this will be helped when I bring him home to live soon). The vet said it was just because he'd been standing - walking it off helps - and we used to give him Superflex. He's got joint degeneration now so is on Cosequin anyway. I think stable bandages might help - but I've no experience of them.

[Bobbin]

Mmmmm,

Bry already has no shoes on and I leave her out for as long as possible. Turn her out at 7.30am and bring her back in at 6.30pm, so she's not in for as long as she could be.

Poor little mite:(

[mogadoga]

Filled legs could also be caused because of the type of feed. Maybe bandaging the legs....which would be the boots you mentioned. Maybe a treat ball or something to encourage movement?

[Bobbin]

Filled legs could also be caused because of the type of feed. Maybe bandaging the legs....which would be the boots you mentioned. Maybe a treat ball or something to encourage movement?

She's fed hi-fi lite and I've tried the treat ball, she just knocks it into the corner and forgets about it.

mmmmmm