Lameness, older horse

[AllBlocChain]

Taking my 19 year old for a lameness work up this week. I suspect some sort of arthritis in the lower hind leg.

Trying not to worry, but I am worrying that she’ll have to fully retire or we’ll have to just stick to gentle hacking.

I just can’t see it being something that could
improve, the only way I could replace her would be if she could do light PC duties with my preschooler and we sell our LR pony. Even then prices are so high I don’t even know what I could afford.

Husband isn’t being very sympathetic as he’s not horsey and I’m worried about my horse of a lifetime.

If she does have arthritis (which wouldn’t be at all unusual for a 19 year old horse) then regular work would be really good for her. When my horse ‘just’ had hock arthritis the physio and vet said to work him every day if possible - obviously you need to tailor the work so he stopped jumping and there was more hacking than arena work but with arthritis in humans and animals it’s a case of use it or lose it

It definitely doesn't mean the end, horses with arthritis are better kept in regular light work. I've got a 19 Yr old horse of a lifetime too so totally empathise with how you feel.

Yes there are good treatments and supplements available for arthritis these days so don't despair - if it's hocks the steroid injections can really give them a new lease of life. It might mean she needs to slow down a little (perhaps XC and large jumps are off the menu) but exercise is really important in managing an arthritic horse so lots of turnout where she's encouraged to keep moving and light exercise (light PC with a child maybe ideal if she's small and quiet enough for them to ride). You have my sympathies, managing older/sicker horses is so tough and worrying but I do find take each day and it comes and try not to panic about the future too much the best way emotionally...