My horse is feeling his years - how to help...

[frostyfingers]

My lovely TB gelding is 15 and apparentely beginning to feel his age. He had some intermittent lameness in August, caused by the sole of one foot being soft - the farrier thinks it is something to do with the weather being wet, then dry, but I'm not convinced, and it's only on one foot. I've been using Keratex and Kevin Bacon hoof dressing and keeping my fingers crossed.

He was shod again last week, and the farrier cut very little off, and again said that the sole is soft. He also said that he seemed uncomfortable whilst being shod - shifting from foot to foot - which is unusual for him as he's normally very patient. Farrier also felt that he seemed very stiff behind when lifting his back legs.

I was told to leave him three days and then trot him up - which I did on Sunday and he was sound. I took him for a short hack, almost all on grass and although he's sound, he felt like he was going short, and he was also stumbling (he's always been prone to it, but this was worse). It wasn't falling down type stumbling, more like he wasn't really looking where he was going, and tripping up IYSWIM.

I will be getting the vet out to check him over (am thinking possibly arthritis, navicular, sore back...), but as well as that are there any supplements you could recommend eg is Cortaflex any good? Any other ideas as to what I could do to help him. He lives out, and is happy to canter around in the field so I'm not sure that he's in much pain.

Poor you - I'm going through similar with my old boy as well.

Last Winter I fed him cod liver oil (much cheaper than Super Solvitax and bought in big plastic containers from the tack shop - Lincoln Brand, I think)and he seemed much more agile. Don't know for sure if that was the reason but I'm going to use it again to be on the safe side.

Of course you could use some bute if unsound but this only conceals the problem.

my boy is on cortaflex, he's at least 17 (I don't believe the passport, which would make him 16 next year, or this, I get confused about the January rule thing) - he looks pretty sprightly doesn't he? he's also on blue chip which is probably not the miracle working product everyone says it is, but he does look much much better than before I started these supplements

the cortaflex lasts ages once you're up and running (starts at a highish dose I think), we just use the powder but there is a liquid form which might be better

As long as the vet has ruled out back pain etc and it is due to to old age I would give him some bute as it is an anti-inflammatory and will help him feel better but be careful with his work. I wouldnt lunge him as this wont help if he is already feeling stiff in his joints, and maybe not jump him either for the moment. Also cortaflex is good, so would definately recommend this.
This does sound a bit like a mare we had that had navicular though so I would get the vet out, mention bute and see what he/she recommends. Also mention to the farrier about having wider shoes that support the foot more

Thanks ohnelly. I've been feeding him a joint supplement for a few weeks now, and hope that it will be working soon. In himself he's fine, galloping and bucking in field, and quite happy out hacking - I don't jump as I hack on my own. Still a bit stumbly so am waiting for vet to be passing, rather than making a special (expensive) visit and will see if he finds anything. So blooming wet here we'll be needing wetsuits and snorkels soon! Got absolutely soaked yesterday, yuk.