Surpass - am I doing this right?

[luckycricket123]

My horse has osteoarthritis in the knee and I am managing it with light exercise and surpass.

Some days, he feels great and some days I only walk him because he feels off at the trot. While I am sure it may just be the nature of arthritis, good days and bad days and the weather factoring in, I can’t help but wonder if I am using surpass wrong!

I put it on him anywhere from 10-30 minutes before I start riding. I ride anywhere from 2-5 days a week. I am concerned that:

1. He might not be getting as much surpass in the actual joint because of his wooly winter coat. I’ve been trying to really scrub it into the skin as much as I can.
2. If I am not riding him every day, should I still be applying the surpass?
3. Am I putting it on at the right time in relation to my rides?

These might be good questions for my vet, but given that its the holidays and I find surpass to be pretty harmless, I thought I’d try here first.

[Simkie]

Using sporadically isn’t really helping the consistent inflammation in the joint. Clip the knee, apply daily.

[2DogsFarm]

Agree w/Simkie - horses have very little circulation below the knee, so clipping won’t make him colder.

I use the human version of Surpass: Diclofenac
It doesn’t last long after application - hours, not days

[xQHDQ]

I can’t see Surpass getting to the joint at all - too far to travel from skin to joint, not enough dosage to make a difference. Have you tried joint injections? You may only need to give them once or twice a year?

[Simkie]

@xQHDQ

I can’t see Surpass getting to the joint at all - too far to travel from skin to joint, not enough dosage to make a difference. Have you tried joint injections? You may only need to give them once or twice a year?

The research is clear that Surpass makes positive changes to the joint. Look up Frisbie’s study. Yeah, something like, say, a hip joint is too deep, but the knee is right there, and the studies have been done in that joint specifically.