Arthritis

thebundychick · Arthritis

Hi All,

Was looking for suggestions on supplements etc to treat Arthritis.

Had the Chiro out yesterday, and it looks like Sante has arthritis in his back right hock. This has always given him trouble, but noones ever given me any suggestions as to what it might be, until now.

so! What do you use?
Are pain killers worth it?
Should i just go with an anti-inflammatory
What glucosamine supplement do you use?
Are there feeding options? I only see my horse on weekends, is the option of injections available?

Hit me with it.

Yes_But_Neigh

I did Legend and Adequan for Captain

Both injections. His former owner did injections in his hocks and that worked well for him but I don't like sterioids so....

Chablis

carefreegirl

My first horse, had hocks that 'clicked' with about every other step, I don't know what caused the clicking, but do know that I tried many different joint supplements; did not try injections, and did not try the really expensive joint supplements either; of the supplements I did try though (I tried about 10 different ones), the only one that made any noticeable difference was Joint Combo, it reduced the amount of his 'clicks' to about every fifteen or more steps, he also moved more fluidly with it. at least that has been my experience with joint supplements so far.

Clarissa

This is very scetchy....

I have just read somewhere about SI problems causing arthritis like hock problems.

I'll rack my brains more to see if I can remember where to find the website.

PasoBaby_CarolU

DMSO on the joint itself will help him with pain.

ElaineC

I can't speak for my horses, but I will say Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSM sure helps my stiff and creaky joints! My mother has pretty bad arthritis too, she takes it and it keeps her moving and feeling great.

DMSO is fantastic stuff too. My vet will give it to me straight (its harder to get in Canada than in the US), I mix it with a thinner like glycerine, and use it for muscle soreness and stiffness. I know this is BAD and I do NOT recommend it, but it works wonders for my fibromyalgia when nothing else will.

creekwood

I have used Joint supplements, adequan, and IRAP, all have helped. My vet said stay she tends to stay away from Cortisone injections (which is not the same thing as adequan & legend), because it slows down healing.

thebundychick

ElaineC

ACV = apple cider vinegar

Its better to get the cloudy, organic stuff than the clear grocery store stuff. Google it, there's tons of info out there. If I'm feeling grungy and think about it, I'll take it, and I will admit I should take it more often.

thebundychick

Spitfire

We have DMSO in Australia. Just don't get it on your bare skin unless you REALLY like the taste of oysters...

I use MSM and glucosamine HCl which I bought from Daintree Herbs. Human grade and really competitive price. My regular supplier shut down, and so I switched to Daintree Herbs (they are on eBay) and couldn't be happier. Horse has stifle issues and is looking fabulous. Gives 'em a bit of zing though

I use 15g MSM to 5g Gluc. Some people say 20g MSM, some people say 10g - but for an initial dosing period, or if your horse is in pain (not just for maintenance) then I would upp the dose.

A fellow around here - imports WBs from overseas and is a real big mover and shaker in the horse world here - uses IV hyaluronic acid injections on one horse and MAN! That horse is feeling good. Not injected into the joint, but into the vein. Don't know anything about this method, personally...

4theloveofjake

MSM used here

4skyhawk

I have been using Chondrogen EQ for the last 4 months and now my vet suggested I switch to Cosequin with MSM. I just ordered it so I can't tell you how it helps yet. My horse has arthritis in his knees. Infact he has severe deterioration in his right knee and moderate to severe deterioration in his left knee. I'm sure if we were to do more xrays we would also find problems in his back and hocks. If I can keep him from suffering I will take care of him, if he gets so nothing helps I will be forced to put him down. Right now he seems to be doing better but I will never be able to ride him again.

bit

Kelsey said that cosequin "sucks balls". lol!

4skyhawk

Well, I'll just have to wait and see I guess. I know my vet recommended this product and according to SmartPak and ValleyVet, this is the #1 recommended product. My vet told me to switch around every few months so that they don't become immune to it. We will see.

Jewil

4skyhawk

I've had him on Chondrogen EQ for about 4 months now. I started using it after the chiropractor suggested I use it for Noah's back legs. He was still having problems and I honestly felt there was more wrong than what I was being told. I finally got a vet to come down and really look him over. She decided that Noah's main problem is in his knees. We took some x-rays and found the damage. The previous owners of this horse were scared to death of him and we figure they just ran him around in a round pen to tire him out so that they could get a halter on him and get shots and trimmed. I don't even have a round pen and I don't lunge a horse. Running around in a circle just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I do rub DMSO on his knees of an evening, and I can see a difference in the way Noah walks. Before he would place one foot right in front of the other. He looked like a model walking down the runway. Now, I don't see him crossing over as much. I know he will never be sound but I do think we can make him better.

Is there any chance the deterioration in his knees can improve?

thebundychick

An update: Well, I've had Sante on Devils Claw, MSM & Ground Glaucosamine since I posted this.

I'm absolutely LOVING the devils claw. .. So is Sante. Its given him immediate releif. If i feed him friday night, I generally get a nice smooth ride on saturday, all i do then, is feed it sat & sunday night ,and it keeps him pain free the entire weekend.

The MSM & Glaucosamine will take longer to kick in I've been told. Off the Devils claw you can see his leg is still "different", but with the combination of Devils Claw & his fancy schmancey Nike's he is so much more comfortable to ride- and uses his HQ a lot more.

Spitfire

Be careful with long-term use of DC. It's not as stomach-upsetting as bute, but it isn't meant for long term use.

I love MSM and gluc, it's like having a well-oiled horse!

thebundychick