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Discussion on How much play can a horse with arthritis take?
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Member:
cpacer
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Posted on Friday, Nov 30, 2007 - 3:56 pm:
Would it be a bad idea to bring an arthritic horse home to 2 rambunctious geldings? I’m thinking of adopting, and many of the older horses seem to have arthritis. I don’t mind giving daily meds to help with pain, but am not sure about all the running around my boys like to do—if that would be good or bad for an old fellow.
Any advice appreciated!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Nov 30, 2007 - 4:29 pm:
cp I have an very arthritic mare in with 2 very playful geldings...if she feels like it she joins in...if not she moves away from them. Depending on how bad the arthritis is, moving around is best for them. My mare stays with the geldings all day, which does wonders for her. If she stood around she'd get very stiff. So I guess it really would depend on how bad the arthritis is, and if the other geldings would kick or hurt him. If the playful geldings wouldn't hurt him I think he would be fine and move at his own pace
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Friday, Nov 30, 2007 - 11:32 pm:
Hi cp,
I agree with Diane-- as long as the creaker can safely opt out, the activity will only help him. My pensioners seem to enjoy the occasional foolish romp, and spend the rest of the time browsing, snoozing, and making monster snarly faces at the young ones.
But if he gets bullied, it's a non-starter.
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 1, 2007 - 6:03 am:
Sorry cp I have had problems with older or not to healthy horses they exaggerated and couldn't cope long with my 'wild bunch' even though they were not chased or attacked.
But I must add mine had to go in during the night and that could make a difference. The other thing is it depended on how the old horse reacts if he is sensible and takes his rest he will be fine but I have seen a few[mares and geldings] begging for their old calm homes after a few months.
Jos
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Member:
cpacer
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 2, 2007 - 1:26 pm:
Sounds like I'll need to tryout any new horse before committing. I'd just hate to fall in love with one I'd have to send back! There is an elderly mare I've been visiting at the rescue that I just adore, but she's got it really bad--her knees swell to melon size and she's pretty rickety (she recovered from being a body score of 1 and they didn't think she was going to make it). Some of the others aren't so bad off--mostly just restricted from riding.
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Member:
alden
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 2, 2007 - 7:49 pm:
CP, we have a old stud that has ringbone and probably arthritis and he does better when he's out with a couple geldings. He'll play when he feels like it and sometimes the next day he's a bit sore, but he recovers just fine without help .
He's pretty dominant so the games end when he says. If the mare you're looking at is dominant also and can control the pace of life then she may do just fine.
Good day,
Alden
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