His lameness started when he was around 10. I spent 5 years avoiding injections because I was told they were bad and risky. I did not say they were preventative - they’re arguably the opposite, and do not come without risk.
I’m just saying - if all other avenues have been explored, do not hesitate, do not screw around with non-proven holistic garbage (magnetic boots, BOT-type boots, ice boots, liniment, long walking hacks, etc etc etc). Inject, before you can’t.
I don’t know if his hocks would have fused with the injections - too little, too late. I don’t even know if he would have come sound at age 10 if I would have gone for it instead of pussy foot around. I kick myself that I didn’t try.
First off, if your 8 year old is built in a way that is going to predispose him to arthritis, and he’s only flatting, a 1.20 jumper is probably not realistic. I’m on a strict every 6 month 28 day round of adequan on both my 8 year old with premature hock arthritis and my 16 year old with no arthritis. It makes a noticeable difference. My 8 year old is also on Previcox 2-3 times a week. I am well versed in managing my expectations for him. He is a fun eventer but he is maxed at 0.9.
Ignorant here - is previcoxx useful only 2-3 times a week? I was under the impression it needed to build up in the system and was not effective as an as-needed med like bute is.
The half life of Previcox is 44 hours so remains in the system quite awhile. My guy is on a MWF 56 mg dose. It takes 2-3 days to build in the system so often don’t see overnight success but sometimes. My guy was on daily but have weaned him to 3 times a week with the help of Equithrive and MSM/glucosamine. Bute is quick on so yes if it hurts now, use Bute. My guys Previcox dosing is for chronic use.
Ok, another unpopular opinion, but I’m not a huge fan of joint injections. There is a risk of infection, there is the question of whether or not a horse needs them, among other things. My 16 year old QH gelding has been jumping for over 10 years, and (KNOCKING ON WOOD) I haven’t had any issues with him. According to one of my old vets, all horses have arthritis and joint wear and tear, no matter how old, but it becomes an issue when it negatively impacts their quality of life. My gelding is on Smartpak’s Smartflex Senior Herb-Free Pellets and gets his Back on Track quick wraps and hock wraps a few times a week (usually after a hard ride) and I leave them on overnight. I think that this has really helped him stay loose and not so sore over the years. Now yes occasionally there will be a cold day where he is sore, but loose stretchy trots help with that too. Also, if he was showing signs where he was sore and his wraps and liniments weren’t working, I’d call my vet and ask what the plan should be going forward. All in all, injections shouldn’t be your first plan of attack when facing a (what sounds to be in your case, but forgive me if I’m wrong) somewhat minor problem.
I 100% suggest a full lameness exam. Several people just pushed hock injections on my horse, and in the end she blew a 4 week abscess out her coronet band… I think some horses truly have DJD and can benefit from them. I also think some people just need to ride better and not relay on medical placebo effects
