Senior Horse Joint Maintenance

[SpicyPRE]

I am looking for recommendations on maintaining a senior horse’s soundness.

I have a 21 yo PRE who is amazingly sound (knocking on wood very quickly), however, he is no spring chicken and probably needs something. The past 2 years I have had regular lameness exams to make sure I am not overlooking an issue and the vets are shocked. My boy’s xrays are awful but he flexes 100% - its crazy. I feed a turmeric supplement, hemp hearts and provide regular bodywork.

I have a prescription for Adequan, which I haven’t filled. Would you give it? Use something else? Or?

[Scribbler]

@SpicyPRE

I am looking for recommendations on maintaining a senior horse’s soundness.

I have a 21 yo PRE who is amazingly sound (knocking on wood very quickly), however, he is no spring chicken and probably needs something. I will tell that the past 2 years I have had regular lameness exams to make sure I am not overlooking an issue and the vets are shocked. My boys xrays are awful but he flexes 100% - its crazy. I feed a turmeric supplement, hemp hearts and provide regular bodywork.

I have a prescription for Adequan, which I haven’t filled. Would you give it? Use something else? Or?

I’m not sure any of the pharmaceuticals are preventative. I would focus on excellent nutrition with attention to minerals, flax or similar good hoof care and consistent appropriate excersize.

[BigMama1]

I have a 22 year old who is similar - sound and happy with terrible X-rays. He’s been on Cosequin for years, and this year we started him on Adequan.

[Amy3996]

@SpicyPRE

I am looking for recommendations on maintaining a senior horse’s soundness.

I have a 21 yo PRE who is amazingly sound (knocking on wood very quickly), however, he is no spring chicken and probably needs something. The past 2 years I have had regular lameness exams to make sure I am not overlooking an issue and the vets are shocked. My boy’s xrays are awful but he flexes 100% - its crazy. I feed a turmeric supplement, hemp hearts and provide regular bodywork.

I have a prescription for Adequan, which I haven’t filled. Would you give it? Use something else? Or?

I think sometimes the difference between supportive care and preventive care gets lost in translation. Scribbler is correct, there’s very little any pharmaceutical or nutraceutical can do to actively prevent arthritis.

Adequan can, however, support the synovial fluid and aid in reducing inflammation. An injectable like Adequan also offers more targeted support than a feed through.

If the goal is to support a senior horse who is otherwise in good physical health despite less than ideal images, I think Adequan is a great step.

[2tempe]

21 yr old Lusitano, sound, backed down from GP aspirations to 4th level work 2 years ago. Xrays not horrible, but started hock injections at 16ish. Only on Adequan otherwise, and very occasionally a few days of equioxx if he’s feeling creaky. He is worked 4x per week. I am lucky, he’s a very easy keeper, solid feet, and a mentally relaxed and happy horse.

[TWH_Girl]

I’ve had to do a lot to keep my guy feeling good. He’s 20 and has always been a pleasure horse so nothing strenuous at all. He’s a super easy keeper, which it turns out, is really a hard keeper in disguise because trying to get a horse to lose weight and keep it off is very hard. He’s already on a dry lot and only gets hay and EK. Anyhow…for joints, I’ve keep him on Equioxx for a while, an oral joint supplement, have alternated between Adequan and Summit (and actually feel like Summit works better) and he’s also gotten IA injections as needed. We did steroid and HA and then the past few years alternated Noltrex and Prostride. They are all meh at best. He has some great days, some okay days and some truly bad days. I am about done and will probably retire him from riding so he can just be and I can relieve myself from all the maintenance. Every horse is so unique in what they need as they age. I would be inclined to call yourself lucky if you don’t need to have an entourage of things you need to do- keep doing what you’re doing until it doesn’t work anymore is what my vet always says.

[SpicyPRE]

I 100% consider myself lucky! I am going to google Summit, but tell me me about what you saw with it.

[JB]

@SpicyPRE

I am going to google Summit,

It’s an IM injection that isn’t FDA approved. Who knows whether the bovine-sourced chondroitin is truly screened for MSE. Who knows the practices of the facility its made in. Are you 100% confident it’s going to be a sterile solution?

Where are the studies they continue to say they’ve done? So far, after several years of being asked, they still won’t (can’t) produce them.

Note that this isn’t about the safety or usefulness of Chondroitin 4 Sulfate (C4S) as an IM injection, that has been studied, and with reasonably good results in terms of helping at least knee arthritis in people. It’s this product that has no oversight or study or any kind.

[Pico_Banana]

My vet highly recommended Phycox for a joint supplement and I have my 28 year old mare on it, along with a half tablet of Equioxx for arthritis. She’s fully retired and has arthritis. I find this combo more effective than a full tablet of Equioxx.

[TWH_Girl]

Summit is IM chondroitin sulfate and used similarly to Adequan. It helps my guy with his stifle arthritis- he moves more freely after his injection. I usually administer about every 10 days or so. I could probably cut out the oral supplement at this point but it’s only marginal for cost.

JB is correct it’s not FDA approved. Each person can choose if that risk is acceptable to them or not. I did tons of reading, asked my vet and watched other people use it before I decided to try it. We’ve had no issues with it except helping his movement. I’m sure that’s not the pc CotH answer but Idc.

[JB]

@TWH_Girl

I’m sure that’s not the pc CotH answer but Idc.

I think nobody should be afraid to share their personal experiences - they are what they are! A lot of people do say Summit helps their horse. And yes, everyone is free to accept the risk or not, and they deserve to have that side of things so they can weigh it out

[TWH_Girl]

@ JB- Thanks for that! Agreed.

[SpicyPRE]

A couple of years ago, I used a Pentosan that I found online in Canada, however my tolerance for risk, however minimal, is just not that high these days as this horse is a VERY delicate flower.

I will also say that I appreciate the input of others of what has worked with your senior horses.

[Weezer]

I’m jumping in here to say that I just ordered adequan for my 28 year old gelding. He hates the powdered supplement that is easily available here. I did the math and a monthly injection of adequan is not much more expensive than my gas and time to drive into the city to buy another supplement.

A few months ago my gelding started running away when he’d see me go for a saddle. He used to stand at the gate and call to me to go for a spin so I take that to be his way of announcing his retirement. He’s been thoroughly checked over by a vet and a chiropractor so I’m hoping the adequan makes him more comfortable. After 24 years of him being a perfect gentleman, I can’t complain if he’s had enough. But it would be great if the adequan is enough to get us back on the trails!

[TWH_Girl]

I hope the Adequan helps!! Trail rides with the seniors are the best.

[Libby2563]

I haven’t given oral joint supplements in years since deciding they mostly just produce expensive pee, but my sports med vet recommended Actistatin and I did find this study reporting some good results: https://glcdirect.com/content/Actistatin-Clinical-Trial-Vol9-Iss2Montgomery-1.pdf. Any thoughts on the study or experience with the supplement?

[SpicyPRE]

that is very interesting - thanks for sharing.

[Aussie_2020]

On the advice of a couple of serious endurance riders I started my boy on Lubrisyn (it’s a liquid I squirt onto his feed). Without it he short strides on the left rear and on it he walks evenly. He is retired.