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Post by silverstirrups on Oct 15, 2008 22:04:06 GMT
My 14 year old horse has recently been diagnosed with arthritis in all 4 knees joints. He's had the posh injections (thank god for nfu) but I still have a problem. He's always been a forward going genuine horse. He hasn't had a hard life, I've had him since he was 4 and he's done a bit of everything but mostly dressage. The problem is he doesn't want to go forward any more. When I try to school him he can only do walk on a loose rein, as soon as I ask him to come onto the bit, or trot, he tries but then goes 'no, can't do that'. Out hacking he will walk, trot and canter but I can feel that sometimes he doesn't want to. He's having physio and everytime the physio comes I think its going to be better but it isn't. What am I going to do when she says she's done all she can? Its so disheartening. I'm fairly sure its not his tack, its all new as I had mine stolen last November, and his saddle was fitted to him. The physio and vet found no soreness in his back and his teeth have been recently checked and are fine. Any ideas? I just want my lovely horse back  |
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Post by racaille on Oct 15, 2008 23:00:58 GMT
This may not be the complete solution but my gut instinct says to give him a holiday. He's worked hard for you and he may need a change of scenery. Either let him have a rest for a while, or let him just hack out for fun for a bit, just to change what he does a little. I might be tempted to stop asking him for the effort to 'collect' for a while, do some fun rides, take him to the beach (or whatever is possible etc).
I am totally convinced that horses get bored and when they get sore bits they really don't want to go back to work and 'get the pain back'.
Could this be an option for you?
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Post by ronansmum on Oct 16, 2008 8:00:09 GMT
I agree with Rac, SS but without sounding too blunt I think you have to face the fact that your horse may never be able to do what he once did. Arthritis in all four knee joints is a pretty severe sceanrio, I am picturing me having it is both knees and elbows..... The injections are not a miracle cure I am afraid, I think you should give him a holiday and a gentler approach to his work. Not easy and not very fulfilling I know but as it is you are frustrated and worried every time you ride him. Take the pressure off both of you for a bit. Good luck.... |
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Post by silverstirrups on Oct 16, 2008 10:41:45 GMT
Thanks both. The vet gave me the impression he'd be pretty much good to go after the injections (although obviously I realise I need to be careful) and he had them a couple of months ago now.
Not sure about him having a holiday, he's been on one since about April when I knew there was something wrong. He wasn't ridden for a long time while we tried to find out the cause of the problem. Lately he's been very fussy and demanding attention when I've taken his friend out. He stands at the gate going 'No, me, me, take me!' He seems to enjoy the hacking, its only the collection he objects to. He objected when I tried out on a hack too. He used to love his work, dressage is definitely his thing. I'd rather jump!
I know the injections are not a miracle cure but they must help a lot (otherwise whats the point?!) and I couldn't be much more gentle when trying to school. As soon as I try and get him on the bit and he says no I know its no good and get off. I haven't even tried that often.
It makes me want to cry.
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Post by ronansmum on Oct 16, 2008 11:38:59 GMT
I have sent some karma SS.........I know it is so rotten for you. Why, and I mean very gentle - but why not pop him over a wee cross pole or two?? Not big of course, maybe 75cm and see if he likes it. You needn't worry as much about collection and if the ground is soft it won't do any harm. And he might even like it....  |
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jane
Novice Willy Washer
Posts: 954
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Post by jane on Oct 16, 2008 12:16:26 GMT
Hi
My old lad had arthritis, and I agree with racaille, give him a little rest, from my own experience with arthritis you do get tired when you are in pain, and bored and grouchy... I would however take him out for walks, they do enjoy the change of scene.
My old horse lived on Newmarket joint supplement, and this really did help, he had it for the rest of his life but it was a godsend, and have to say I used it for a long while too and it worked for me too. I could only buy this from the vet. But the old lad lived to be 40, hacking out until the last year for miles... we slowed up a bit towards the end.
Best Wishes to you and him
jane
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Post by silverstirrups on Oct 16, 2008 20:43:48 GMT
ronansmum - thanks for the karma! We gave up jumping a long time ago. He hates show jumping. However he loves cross country jumps and when we were out at the weekend I did pop him over a couple of little logs on soft ground. He'll only do a few though and then starts refusing. At least he did last time I tried a few in a row, maybe I'll have another go.
jane - he is currently on glucosamine and the vet is having a look to find the best thing for me to give him. He's coming tomorrow for my other horse (long story, don't ask!) so I'll have a chat with him then and see what he thinks. Karma to you for your best wishes. Thanks.
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Post by fimacg on Oct 17, 2008 8:30:42 GMT
Good luck with the vet, having read all the posts it seems that if a rest doesn't work for him you may have to consider retiring him as a hack, if that is all he is comfortable doing.
If that doesn't suit want you want to do with your riding, you may have to face the harder decision of either changing what you want to do, or looking for another home/loan for your boy.
Again good luck with the vet hopefully he will be able to offer some further pain relief for your lad.
I hate it when these things happen, but as a proud owner of a 7 year old walking lawn mower and fertiliser spreader, (my choice was was put down or retire completely as non ridden companion) I can empathise with you. Have another karma from me.
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Post by Becca on Oct 17, 2008 15:00:14 GMT
oh dear how uncomfortable he must have been. I agree with just hacking for a while, keep it fun for him he will tell you when/if he is ready to come back into harder work. I use Stride HA as a supplement (aka liquid gold to me as it is very expensive) bern has dodgy hocks, but they loosen with work, very common cob thing. let us know how he is doing |
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Post by florence on Oct 17, 2008 17:38:01 GMT
Aw, poor thing! I know it's awful to have to cope with arthritis as it is degenerative and will get worse with time. But, with careful management you can slow that down. So listen to your vet and try to resign yourself to the fact that you'll only be hacking - at least for a while.
As an arthritis sufferer myself, I would say don't give him long spells off work. If you don't use it, you lose it! (My horse also has arthritis, which is complicated by an injury and we spent 6 years just hacking) So keep him going gently to keep the joints from stiffening further and be guided by what he wants to do. Also, turnout as much as possible to keep him moving about. Once he's been on medication for a while, the inflammation will go down a bit and he'll feel more spritely. I know you say it's in his knees but he may be getting pain elsewhere and it's just not noticeable at the moment. Don't forget, circles will be harder for him as the weight is less evenly distributed so hacking really is best for him. Sending you some karma, let us know what the vet says.
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Post by silverstirrups on Oct 17, 2008 20:59:40 GMT
Vet and physio have been today. Physio says his muscular body is much better (this was his 3rd session with her) but vet said he's lamer than he was before. The physio said that's often the case after a couple of sessions. Unfortunately they weren't there at the same time so now they're going to speak to each other and decide whats best. But the vet said that the injections should still be working and the fact that he's lame means something else needs to be done. He's now talking about i wrap (sp) which is a procedure that takes blood from the horse to make something to inject back in. Anybody heard of this? So now I'm just going to leave well alone and see what happens next |
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Post by brigadier on Oct 20, 2008 15:33:01 GMT
HI there, just read this thread and hope it is working out for you and your horse- it does really sound as though you may have to consider a different approach with your horse- for ten years he has done dressage for you but he may now not be up to it- but if he is good for hacking then that is great. If you want to do something else then you have some difficult decisions ahead as Fi suggests. Good luck!
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Post by duckles on Oct 20, 2008 17:02:06 GMT
You poor thing! I feel so sorry for your horse and for you. A friend of mine needed injections for her horse and they did really work although it took a while. she never needed repeat injections but he is on cortaflex. Mind you, it wasn't in all 4 knees. Would you try some other therapies as well like magnets or stuff like that? Your horse is only 14 and it would be a shame to throw in the towel. I don't have any experience yet (Thank God) of arthritis with my horses but I think that with humans that mobility and excercise is generally thought to be helpful and people can have remissions so I suppose i am saying - dont give up hope yet. Would you consider getting a chiro to check him out? He could have got into to bad posture habits with the bad knees and that may be making things worse. I really hope things improve - for you both.
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Post by maximum on Oct 20, 2008 21:01:57 GMT
poor old boy.
I basically echo what was said already. its time to slow down and listen to what your horse is telling you. If he jumps a few jumps then refuses he is saying its too hard for him. likewise the dressage will be hard on the joints - the more collection the more stress on the joints.
It would not be fair to throw him out in the field but its tie maybe to slow him down and just hack about- as Duckles says mobility does help but it has to be at the lower end of the scale.
I know its hard to accept but it may be time to slow him down after his hard work for you over the last 10 years.
Karma to you and hugs to your boy.
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Always saddle your own horse
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
