Stifle arthritis success stories?

[tollertwins]

So I was having issues w/ my icey slipping in the back, and eventually just getting pissy. He had his hocks injected (didn’t look too bad on x-ray, but started there).

Injected the stifles a couple weeks later. One of the stifles definitely had arthritis (medial tibial something-or-other).

Started him on equibands, and he was making what I thought was good progress, till about a week and a half ago, when things went downhill. Right now he is pretty much back where we started a couple months ago.

The only thing major that changed was footing. Hubs and I started riding the ponies in an arena that doesn’t have the squishy nike footing that the covered arena does. The horses kind of like it since it is bigger and there aren’t so many other ppl riding in there, so they can let loose some.

Sending info to the vet to get a ‘what’s next’, but right now am pretty bumed. I seem to be on a run of broken horses lately. I’m sound (FINALLY) and now my horse isn’t.

[crackerjack]

How much turnout does your horse get?
My older guy was retired at 14 due to stifle arthritis but was only getting a few hours a day of turn out. He’d had injections as well but they didn’t do too much. When I moved him he then got about 8 hours and now at the newest place he gets up to 16 hours a day. The difference in his soundness is amazing. He’s even and acting like a three yr old in the paddock. I am hoping to do 24/7 turnout shortly. He’s 23 now and I’ve started back with him (after getting the ok from the vet). He’ll just be doing hacking due to age and time limitations but he could potentially do more.
He is also on previcox but I’m not actually sure how much difference that has made.

[tollertwins]

He’s out about 8 hrs a day. I would have to move him to another state for more…I’m in western wa and the sugar in the grass here makes him crazy.

Yeah…I bought him at 12, he’s 15 now, and I’m thinking that what we thot were training issues and sore feet were the arthritis starting up. If I have to retire him I’m thinking if I can pay the farm I bought him from to board him. He’d be out 24/7 and no grass to get crazy on,

And am starting to cry writing this.

[crackerjack]

I understand. It’s really difficult when you have limitations and when you had so many plans for a horse.
Your vet may be able to suggest other treatments IRAP, Prostride, PRP etc depending what the issue or prognosis is. It may just be as simple as long term previcox or bute- although that does have stomach issue risks but can be manageable. Send the message to your vet!

[tollertwins]

He’s on Previcox…I just sent her a video and a long winded note last nite…

[beowulf]

Before you give up, see if you can get him out a little bit more… Maybe a dry lot for the remaining time, if you can – he is at the age where that increase in movement makes a big difference. The motion is the lotion, as they say…

Barring that, Pentosan or Adequan or Legend would be my next go to. Pentosan helped my aged TB (72 starts and a 15 yr career in eventing) with arthritis significantly.

All of my horses with stifle issues were much better in 24/7 turnout. One in particular had quite the ugly x-rays following a big meniscus injury. He was servicably sound on 24/7 turnout and maintenance, but not sound at all if you put him in a stall. He lived the rest of his life out (with a run in) and it made a big difference for him.

[tollertwins]

Well, had a second vet check him…he was extremely relaxed until she got back to his stifle, and she could apparently displace it with her hand. At that point the pony started trying to get away from her w a “what are you doing THAT for” look.

We ended up splitting the ligament, injecting the ligament w PRP, injecting the stifle w ProStride, and putting him in a local rehab place for 2 months w aquatread 5 days a week.

Been back about 3 weeks. He had HUGE hard muscles at the back of his croup, I’m thinking the gaited conformation maybe works a bit differently in the water. We have gotten that worked out, but he is still NQR. Starting to offer some trot, but can’t go around corners very well (he breaks to his gait).

Having the best rides w a bell in the affected leg to help w proprioception.

I may look at getting Arthromid later this year if he stays this creaky.