Not looking for anecdotal evidence. Just wondering if any new studies have been published? My guess is that they haven’t given the companies are doing well. I did a quick search but didn’t come up with anything.
They are both used a lot for both as a treatment and a prophylactic…if companies are doing well and the product is used frequently, they likely don’t have to prove anything anymore.
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Is there something more you’re hoping to find out? As in, are there some specific situations you’re curious about? Wondering about long-term implications with frequent use? Just curious.
Not specific to Legend or Adequan, but Frisbie at CSU did this study that showed greater bone edema with Polygycan (which is one of the “device” things people use off label, as a “generic” substitute to Legend or Adequan.)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/27668577/
There was also an article in coth about this paper, in the April 24, 2017 issue and is titled “IV Polyglycan May Hurt More Than It Helps.” It starts on page 124.
“However, when researchers administered the product IV, they found worse results in limb flexions and radiographic images, as well as greater degrees of bone edema, than in horses who received the placebo.”
The full text is available online if you poke around.
Thought that was super interesting!
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Thanks everyone!
The reason I was asking is that my trainer recently suggested that I start my horse on Legend. He has the vet come out once per month and a huge number of horses get it whether they’ve ever had an issue or not. It’s $50 a pop, so $600/year.
I said no. The horse has always been sound (He’s 10 and I’ve had him since he was a yearling), is a hack winner, conformation is very correct, was started slow, has spent the majority of his life living out 24/7, etc.
I won’t waste my money on oral joint supplements. And with the current research or lack of, it looks like I won’t be wasting money on prophylactic IV or IM injections either.
I think I’d prefer to save my money and if we have issues down the road we can x-ray and make a plan.
That’s interesting with regards to the IV polyglycan. When I get a moment I’ll have to sit down and go through it.
I did another quick look and I don’t see any studies looking into the frequency of IM Adequan dosage either. It’s my understanding that the box insert still says to administer every 4 days, for 28 days. But I hear of so many people (vets included) just doing monthly injections, or only doing 4 loading doses instead of 7, etc.
Anyway, I guess I’m just a little skeptical. Especially when it comes to prophylactic use. Millions of sales don’t necessarily convince me that a product works, just that the marketing must work.
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Goodtimes – I don’t disagree with your thinking. Many times I think people do administer meds/supplements to make themselves feel better. However, I would just also encourage you to have a conversation with your trainer about the reason behind the recommendation for legend.
When I was moving my horse up the levels, he was always sound, but there were times that my trainer would see/feel something and recommend trying an injection/treatment and it usually made a huge difference. I trusted my trainer to always be looking out for the comfort and best interest of the horse, so we could talk about why he thought it might be worth a try.
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@MapleLeaf I absolutely trust my trainer. Like I said in my post though, this recommendation is just based on the fact that it’s given to virtually every horse in the barn. The thinking being that “it can’t hurt”, except my wallet.
I’m glad to know that’s it’s easily accessible if I ever choose to use it. But as someone who works in medicine and has done a research stint I need to confirm something will be of benefit before I spend my money.
@Simkie Thank you. Studies and randomized trials like the one you linked too are exactly what I was looking for.
I’m not sure how you measure efficacy in a treatment given in the absence of any symptoms. And I would be uneasy with a trainer who assumed all.horses in their care would break down.
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OP, I used Legend previously and found absolutely no benefit from it, and this was on a horse that could have benefited had it worked.
Now, I am giving Adequan as a prophylactic. Hope is that I slow down whatever processes are already taking shape. (Mare is an 8 y/o OTTB, so yes, there is wear & tear). I follow label directions, and I’m only giving it once a year at this time.
My vet has always taken x-rays and then prescribed adequan, legend or both based on what was going on in the joint. I was told by my vet years ago that depending on what stage the arthritis is in plays a big role in the effectiveness of both drugs.
I wouldn’t put it that way. More the assumption that most horses end up old and creaky, just like people.
He started giving Legend initially to a couple older school horses and his GP horse. Then other boarders realized it was cheaper than the oral supplements they were giving so they started it too.
@Obsidian Fire Have you ever done x-rays on this horse? Or are you going under the assumption that there’s wear and tear? Did you notice a difference after giving Adequan?
@TheMoo That’s an approach that makes more sense to me, and what I’m more comfortable with.
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If you think adequan or legend might be necessary shoot some x-rays. I’ve never used legend just kept with adequan and eventually getting her hocks injected.
I can see how a trainer might have big improvement in one or two horses over time to warrant a blanket approach, especially with the owner picking up the tab. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. In a stable full of horses, it’s not terribly unlikely that there’s one who is not LAME but not performing to it’s potential because of something brewing/subclinical. Slap some Legend on that, see some nice improvement, and now the trainer thinks it’s worth a shot for everyone.
Not saying you should go that way, though!
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Yes. I have rads on every bony structure I could get.
I am going on the assumption that wear & tear happen, and that I’ve been behind the eight-ball too many times to catch up with previous horses. So, I’m hoping this time to at least slow things down, if it’s possible.
My mare films and vets clean. But she does have weak stifles, and is a bit long in the back.
And, it’s cheaper and more likely to work than any oral supplement I could ever use.
I “think” I see benefits? But since mare doesn’t have any active bony changes it’s hard to say for sure.
Don’t do it unless you want to, but boy, I’d kill to spend $50 a month on Legend. where the heck do they get it from so cheap especially with a vet administering it?!
The other thought is you can try it once and see if you notice a difference. I use it as needed on my 17 yr old.
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TWH Girl…you and me both (pay $50/month). Legend for my mare, given by the vet is $137/month…no farm call:sigh:. Maybe they get a volume discount?
My 17 y.o. mare showed a bit of fluid and heat in her right front fetlock in early August. That persisted for a couple weeks so I called the vet. She was never off that either myself, my leasor or the vet could determine. The heat resolved after about 2 weeks (after Legend started) but she still has just a bit of puffiness. The vet said we could x-ray everything (front fetlocks and hocks) as she felt she was a bit ‘hitchy’ and stiff in picking up her hinds but OK to flexions. She suggested the Legend to start before x-rays and injections.
My mare has felt great. Moving with more suppleness and spring. She acts like she genuinely feels really good. I am happy, horse seems happy so I guess we will stay the course. I may interrupt for Dec/Jan and Feb as she won’t be getting much work due to winter to save a few bucks. We will see.
I know…anecdotal but at least it is an FDA approved medication and is way more likely to produce a positive effect than the mountain of feed through supplements peddled for joint support.
Susan
Your call. You can wait until you have a problem and try to manage it, or you can look at the half ton animal you have leaping over jumps and landing on skinny front legs and conclude that more likely than not, at some point the horse will need to be managed. My 11 year old started on it last year at the recommendation of my vet, who does not charge me for it, and I do ranch riding. He too has excellent conformation and is turned out 18 hours a day.
For $600 a year, I’d much prefer 2 loading doses of Adequan.
I wonder if it’s “generic” compounded HA and not name brand Legend at all?!
This is the point of my initial post though. There is no proof that Legend, Adequan, or their generic counterparts have any prophylactic benefits.
The more research into this I do, the more I’m learning about the different mechanisms behind the different injections. Which makes me even less likely to just willy nilly start giving something without a) knowing if there is even a problem and b) knowing what the problem is.
@Simkie Based on the cost I’m inclined to agree. Although this vet is very fair. He charged far less for vaccinations and a dental (sedation, power float) than my previous vet. I don’t plan on pursuing this though, otherwise I would speak directly with the vet.
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