I have a high level dressage horse competing this summer. He is 13 yo. No lameness but I want to keep him sound and optimize his comfort and performance this summer. Someone suggested Equioxx to me or hock injections (steroids) but I am worried about side effects. Are there things I could do instead? Hyaluronic acid injections? I don’t know a lot about this!
Turnout. More than 6 hours of it. Push for 10, even 24/7 turnout and you will see an incredible difference.
In all seriousness, it’s the best thing you can do for a performing athlete is to keep them moving and their bodies conditioned.
There is no reason to inject hocks unless there is a noted pathology there seen by the vet (g), but hock injections are done quite regularly and the risks are typically minimal as far as invasive joint procedures go. They are exactly the kind of thing a senior horse benefits from when done for the right reason.
MSM is cheap and easily added to their feed, and does make a difference in horses with a little age-associated wear and tear.
You could do Adequan, Pentosan, or Hytril - these have different methods of injection but generally are the go-to before something like hock injections (which inject directly to the joint).
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I hope you have a great vet that doesnt just push unnecessary drugs. Equioxx is an NSAID that can be a lifesaver for some but totally unnecessary for others. And you should NOT be injecting joints that don’t need it. Everytime you enter a joint, there is risk. And steroids deteriorate cartilage overtime. For performance horses that need injections and are not at the end of their careers, ask about biologics like ProStride (IRAP and PRP) combo. These can be a much healthier and very effective alternative to steroids.
If you want preventative, discuss joint supplementation in feed or by injections with your vet. My mare gets monthly Polyglycan injections IM. There are a few options too that provide support and a preventative without entering joints unnecessarily. It’s hard to know what’s readily available where you are and what suits your horse’s lifestyle. Nothing wrong with feeding supplements if your horse gets regular grain. Just do your research and go for one with science behind it, not just marketing.
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There is no such thing as “joint support”. You can’t treat an injury that has not happened yet. Joint injections DO carry “risk”, do NOT do them unless you are forced to do them… they do NOT “protect” from future injury.
Good riding and good horsemanship go a long way to avoid injury and keep horses functional and healthy. Good luck.
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I second the turn out.
My retired guy is now more sound than ever on 24/7 turnout. He’s on no joint supplements or injections. When in full time work he had joint injections and lived in a stall with minimal turnout ( 4-6 hrs a day. Not my choice- it was complicated). Obviously now that he’s rarely ridden he doesn’t have the stress on his joints. He is 25 and will be in light work this summer.
My other one is in full work and is out at least 12 hours a day. In the summer it is longer because we do overnight turnout. At the moment he’s getting 19-24hrs a day. He’s big, has had hock surgery to remove a chip, and does get injections once a year or so. Last time it was after 14 months. The time span between injections has greatly increased since moving to a place with more turnout.
Because I’m paranoid about joints I also give him the Alpha Omega Sinew X with HA and Herbs for Horses Mobility plus. The Mobility Plus has Boswellia in it which is supposedly good for joints. Even my farrier noticed a difference after we started him on that. I don’t usually believe in the efficacy of supplements but that one seemed to actually help.
But maximum turnout, fitness, proper muscling- those are your best bet.
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My recommendation is to do a basic lameness evaluation with flexions and radiograph anything that flexes positive. Even if you don’t do any treatments at this time, at least you and your vet have a baseline for a yearly or twice yearly lameness evaluations in the future. I’d even video the flexions and trot outs on my phone these days.
It’s been a few years since I asked, but my vet recommends adequan, legend, or Cosequin ASU if you are going to do any prophylactic joint support.
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This is the right answer. Stay on top of things, and deal with them before they become big. I would not go near NSAIDS or hock injections for a sound horse.
In terms of prophylactics, mine get turnout every day, a good warm-up and cool down, an excellent farrier, hoof balance x-rays at least once a year to check up on the shoeing, and a 7 shot Adequan series twice a year.
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I second all of this (former assistant to Grand Prix trainer). I will also add well-fitting equipment. My saddle fitter visits my horse twice a year (or more if warranted). I also supplement my regime with chiropractic work by a DVM, twice a year or if an issue comes up.
Some people swear by Back on Track gear, the Bemer blankets, Theraplate, PEMF treatments, Equiband, structural integration therapy, Masterson method, supplements, etc. I have no problem with these products as I have not seen them be inherently harmful. I have used many of these tools on different horses depending on the maintenance the horse seems to need. You need to do the research and play around to figure out what works for your horse.
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We do this, twice a year, with an excellent sporthorse practice. Getting qualified eyes on your horse on a regular basis can pick up issues before they get bad, and also keep your horse progressing.
My mare was having real difficulty collecting, especially at the canter. I thought it was her back, but the regular vet kept telling me she looked fine. High-end sporthorse vet saw her and said “I think her back is sore” Long story short, she has arthritis in the facet joints through her low back and injections there, in her neck, and her hocks have made a huge difference. Two years ago we were struggling at 1st level and we’re now knocking on the door of 4th.
Don’t wait until your horse is lame before exploring doing injections, I guess is the moral of my story. And use a good vet. Maybe hock injections will be useful, but you should take good radiographs and know why you’re injecting there (or anywhere else). I now have excellent films of my mare’s entire spinal column and that was really helpful in treating her. We wouldn’t be doing what we do without that baseline data, and while its expensive, it has been so worth it.
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A friend was involved in the creation of Cosequin. Part fo the study was using dogs. One group was on COsequin. One group was control. BOth groups had induced inflammation of a joint. The dogs on Cosequin had less inflammation and recovered sooner.
That is the reason my guys get Cosequin.
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Awesome. Thanks for the input!
Thanks Corky! Interesting to hear about the PRP. I’m a big fan in humans.
I’m going to look into the Herbs for Horses supplement. Thanks!
My horses’ massage therapist uses it for her horses and noticed a difference over other supplements. She’s very objective as well and qualified (was the MT for the Para-olympic horses and riders on many occasions) so I figure if she’s had good results it’s not just me imagining things! Like all supplements though… it may depend on the horse.
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I like Actiflex 4000 for the oral supplement route! The label hits most of the guidelines that Dr. Kellon mentions in this article. Although I do want to add, the horse I have on Actiflex isn’t in work so I was never able to get any before/after footage but it’s fairly reasonable so could be worth a shot!
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I recommend Cosequin ASU. They have associated studies, few others do.
I’m not thrilled about the shark cartilage, though. THey say it is how their product gets into cells and provide data. I’m not sure if other products work as well because there is such limited data.
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I thik its COsequin ASU…
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oh yes! Typo. Thanks! I even use it!
I have been happy with Equithrive Complete. My horse tends towards inflammatory responses and this has MSM and Resveratrol to address that in addition to the usual joint ingredients.
