Tips for managing arthritis

[MareBegger]

(Note: If there are existing arthritis threads already, please direct me there! The search feature on this forum isn’t particularly my friend…)

My little 13 yo dressage mare had some soundness issues early this year that were finally diagnosed as arthritis in her hind fetlock. At the time, the vet said the x-rays looked better than what he was expecting, but there was some mild joint degeneration and a bit of high non-articular ringbone (which made me lose it until he explained it was likely fine). We injected and switched her joint supplement to Cosequin, and most of the problem was solved.

She’s now starting to show a little lameness here and there with weather changes; most recently we had a cold snap after she was left in for a day, and she was just a little short at the trot, although still sound at the walk. I’ve contacted my vet about starting Adequan or Legend, but what else can I be doing? The Princess doesn’t really appreciate 24/7 turnout, but I’m going to try moving her to a stall with a run and see if that’s an acceptable compromise. She does go out during the day, although my barn gives less turnout time than I would like.

I’m honestly sick over this. We’ve come a long way in just a year with a new trainer, and it was starting to look like we might be able to do some shows next year in pursuit of my USDF bronze medal. I know exercise does help, but I can’t show a lame horse, and if she’s having problems with basic First/Second Level work, then I don’t know if there’s a lot of hope left for a short show career. On the other hand, I’ve had her since she was three months old and she’s family, so selling her to start over with a younger horse really isn’t an option.

Suggestions? Tricks? Should I just give up on showing until I can afford another horse in a decade?

[Amy3996]

My horse was diagnosed with mild arthritis on PPE when I bought him at 15. We started him on 57mg of Previcox/Equioxx daily. He’s been doing well on that regimen for three years now (moderate work 4-5x a week - dressage, jumping small courses, etc.).

We’re just now getting to the point where Adequan or injections of some sort are starting to enter the conversation. It might be worth asking your vet about something like Equioxx too.

Also, the cooler weather isn’t doing my guy any favors either - he doesn’t tolerate 24/7 turnout and has seemed a bit stiffer than usual.

[dungrulla]

I actually learned some fun things about this earlier this week.

A family friend of ours is a human orthopedic surgeon, so I had asked him his opinion on some common oral joint supplements, particularly hylauronic acid. He told me that 20+ years ago, the early research in dogs and horses was very promising. HA is very effective when administered orally to horses, which is why it got so much attention in the human field.

Unfortunately this did not pan out for people, and HA has negligible results in humans when administered orally. But it does have value in our equine friends!

His suggestion was to do what they do in research studies: Take a gait video, administer for three months, then take another, paying attention to stride length and fluidity. Then you will know for sure if your supplement is having an effect or not. Even if you are using something other than HA, this will give you an objective view on how much better your horse is doing.

I know this guy’s a human doctor but this was sound and made a lot of sense to me, so my horse is now on a daily HA supplement

Other options include adequan and legend, and I’d presume doing the same gait analysis would give you a lot of information regarding whether your treatments are having an effect or not.

[joiedevie99]

When was the last injection done? Results typically last 6 months to 18 months. Is it time to repeat? Have you talked with the vet about other IA injections that might provide more comfort or a longer effect, like ProStride? I assume you did HA and steroid the first time.

I’ve known a few ringbone horses that did well wearing Back on Track wraps at night if they couldn’t be out 24/7. Easy thing to try.

Equioxx/Previcox/Bute/Banamine are also an option, although I tend to reserve long-term systemic NSAIDS as a last resort option - when supplements/injections/Adequan/Legend aren’t working any longer.

[retiredhorse]

I’ve used Back On Track products on myself and liked the results, so I wouldn’t hesitate to try them on a horse. I figure even if it doesn’t do anything, it won’t hurt them. I have a small BoT blanket that my dog sleeps on from time to time; I have no idea if it helps his arthritic shoulder, but he seems to like it. (I am also not opposed to alternative medicine, and would consider acupuncture, if I knew someone who did it well on horses (and dogs, but it’s hard enough to find a really good one for humans).)

My old retired horse (arthritic hocks and probably other places) preferred cantering before trotting, not sure if yours would too. Finding a good farrier made a tremendous difference, but mine also had wonky conformation. When he was stiff, he felt stiff all over, not just lame on one leg, and would work out of it fairly easily. If he didn’t, that was a sign of something else probably. He got joint injected about every 6 months. Equioxx was not a thing when we were showing, but legend/adequan helped too.

On the days she’s not turned out, can you or someone get her out 2-3 times a day, light work or hand-walk? I think the run is a good idea to try.

What does your vet think about her holding up for the amount of training and showing you want to do? Another option might be to lease a horse to show, if yours can’t do it.

[findeight]

Pay attention to footing and rough ground. You don’t have to work on pilowy surfaces but hard and/or uneven ground is uncomfortable for aging joints. Be sure to warm up for a longtime at the walk and walk out after work. Try to avoid activities that create concussion, like jumping, that’s why many horses step down in height as they age. They can still jump bigger but the landings take a toll.

I had the best luck with injectable HA products and HA joint injections. HA is best described as joint juice, replaces deteriorating synovial fluid inside the joint that acts as a lubricant. Adequan does something different but can also help with ringbone and other conditions. Some have great luck with Pentosan.

Its not hopeless but there’s no magic bullet, rather a multi part strategy to manage it. Just remember there’s no cure and it will get worse with age, as it does in humans. The trick is slowing it.

[MareBegger]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! My vet is going to start her on Adequan and go from there. I bought her the BOT wraps when she was diagnosed this spring, so she’s wearing those at night now and thankfully she didn’t destroy them on the first wear.

I think I’m overreacting because of how things turned out with my old horse (went from rideable to pretty bad founder very fast). Trying to remind myself that this isn’t great but it isn’t the end of the road, and I’m glad to have a lot of input.

[lightningevent]

You can also ask your vet about trying Surpass. It’s a topical ointment used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis. My guy has pretty severe ring bone, so while his joint is fusing he’s on Equioxx daily and Surpass as needed.

[dungrulla]

@lightningevent

You can also ask your vet about trying Surpass. It’s a topical ointment used to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis. My guy has pretty severe ring bone, so while his joint is fusing he’s on Equioxx daily and Surpass as needed.

Voltaren is the same thing essentially if you’re near the canadian border and a fraction of the price. Surpass supposedly has a better carrying agent but my vet said she has not seen a difference between the two. I live 15 minutes from the border so it’s freely available up here.

[beau159]

@MareBegger

My vet is going to start her on Adequan and go from there.

I was going to suggest starting/trying Adequan. It might not help, but it might! You’ll just have to wait and see how she responds.

If you don’t notice any difference after the loading dose, you could always try Pentosan. It’s “off label” but works great for some horses.

Legend, as far as I understand it, is very short acting and only beneficial if (for example) you use it before a big long weekend of showing.

You could also consider Previcox/Equioxx, although I would personally try Adequan or Pentosan first. If they need pain meds, they need pain meds, but I try to make that my last resort.

@MareBegger

The Princess doesn’t really appreciate 24/7 turnout, but I’m going to try moving her to a stall with a run and see if that’s an acceptable compromise. She does go out during the day, although my barn gives less turnout time than I would like.

I would also try to gradually get her on as much turnout at you can. That movement is so good for arthritis.