supplements and paddock boots?

[Huntin_Fool]

Dear All:

I have a 12 yo OTTB who has just gotten some hock/stifle issues. He was off and was making that weird jerky movement w/his lt rear leg. I"m taking him to the vet and will probably have to have him injected BUT I would like some opinions on supplements. The last time I asked my super vet about them he said they wouldn’t hurt but that there was no double blind test that said they helped. What do y’all think? And if you use them what brand? Also what about that series of shots that’s not injected in the hock/stifle but just an im shot? Adequan (sp)?

Also, I have to buy some new paddock boots-to ride my hunt horse during the week and in summer. What brands do y’all recommend? I owned the best pair of On Course, bought in @ 1996-they lasted for about 8 years of hard hard wear, were so comfy etc. I bought a new pair, they were tight, cheap leather, and the soles came off promptly!

Thanks for your help!
Huntin’Fool

[bigbaytb]

I have an ottb that had some issues in the first couple years I had him. I did use the adequan. It was really expensive so i used it once a week for about 4 months. a couple vets felt he had sore hocks from eventing and hunting.

I have tried various oral joint supplements and I have found a combination that I really like and have been using for almost a year. A vet recommend GLC5500 (http://www.glcdirect.com/glc5500/) it is $125 for a jar. manufacturer recommends 2 scoops a day (small scoops). I did that for a couple months. when we saw improvement, my vet said that the 2 scoops every other day had the same effect, so I switched my horse to a healty scoop a day. the jar lasts about 4-5 months. I use it in conjunction with 100 mg of Hylamotion (http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=818) which is hylaraunic acid. manufacturer recommends 100mg.

I have found this is the best for my horse. he has had zero joint problems and has not had any stiffness since starting the product. he’s been examined for a few things the past six months and has had zero hock and joint problems. I had a chiropracter (also a horse vet) work on him and he could not find and leg/hock or joint issues with my horse.

thanks just my two cents.

[jumpymeister]

Ariat Cobalt Deven Pros are on sale for $130 at Dover right now - they are usually $190 and are top of the line

[wateryglen]

just my 2 sense!

I kept an old fieldhunter going with Adequan IM shots. His hocks got sore after hunting and he’d be stiff/sore for a week after until he fused. Bute before & after works too. I don’t believe in supplements overall but read that 10K mg MSM is antiinflamatory so that couldn’t hurt.

I like nice ole cowboy laceup packers for summer trailriding. Got mine at southern states, waterproof, low heeled and sturdier than paddock boots.

[SteeleRdr]

BEST boots EVER are Cavallo Creekstones!

They are similar to a Blundstone, but better. I went from expensive Ariat’s to these on the recommendation of my boss and it was amazing. I wear these boots for 10-15 hours a day, and ride anywhere from 1-15 horses in it. LOVE them!

Here is a link to them, best ones are the men’s ones, I just convert my shoe size to mens. They are HARD to find though, I think they are being discontinued.

[Huntin_Fool]

Hey SteeleRdr,

The link didn’t post! I’m going to try to google the boots-they sound great. You don’t live in Steele, AL do you? Thanks very much for the answer.

Regards,
Huntin’Fool

[Painted_Wings]

My Favorites are the Ariat H20 pull on barn boots. They are a lot like the Blunstones but have a better foot bed and are totally waterproof.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-38776&ids=769518957

I have a wide foot and the regular Ariat paddock boots are normally not wide enough but these are great.

[SteeleRdr]

Sorry for forgetting the link…

Hope this works.

http://toklat.com/dyn_prod.php?p=11-4191&k=87230

[eventingismylife]

The only oral joint supplements that I have seen that “work” are Cetyl M and SmartFlex Repair. I have personally only used SmartFlex Repair. I was first recommended by my trainer (who is also an vet tech), my vet, and my vet/chiro/equine dentist to try Cosiquin. So I tryed Cosiquin SP. It did squat.
I have also had great luck with Adequan- good stuff.