:( about poss. arthritis in older horse

[Alameda]

he's increasingly getting stiff, stumbly and so reluctant to walk on anything but grass, even in hand but especially ridden, despite the cortaflex which I think has helped.

just feel a bit morose, is it the beginning of the end? Am wondering about vet, bute, maybe x-rays? Or just ride him less? See what the farrier thinks?

He's not that old, we think 20s (early to mid) but those years in the riding school might not have helped. Sad. :(

Marking my place as my mare is 20 and will no doubt need supplements soon ( I need them now)

I am SO impressed with devil's claw! Unless it just because it is warmer and ground is firm without being too hard, apart from anything else he loves the taste of it and comes to catch ME instead of jogging round the field away from me

Hi, I've just updated my thread here (cortisone & HA). It cost 150 euros and I don't know how long it will last, could be months, could be years.

Anyway, the difference is staggering and well worth the investment!

I had a peek but was scared of the realness of your arthritis compared to my hopefully imaginary version - do you have to sedate for it? It sounds sort of painful

Dd's pony is a bit stiff- she's 18ish and has a very hard life before she can to us. She has joint flex-and it really really shows if we run out. I was imcredibly cynical about it, but you can see from the ground how different she is after a week without it ( if I dig my toes in and won't fork out for a new bottle!)

She was on 2g of but for 7 days, as a result of the injection as much as anything and to give her a chance to feel movement without pain - I.e., to stop her limping from expectancy.

Tonight is her last dose of 1g, so I guess by the weekend we will be able to see more about what's going on in that respect. Although she could continue to work under a low dose of but, the vet is reluctant to use it as a long-term option.

But I think it's all going to be a bit wait-and-see.

Good to hear of the improvement, Alameda. Fingers crossed for you AlpinePony