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Discussion on Performance problems with senior TWH
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New Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Sunday, May 3, 2009 - 8:52 pm:
Hello,
I am new to this site though I have come here to read the discussion forums many times for advice. I currently own a 20 year old TWH gelding who I have had for 3 years. He is my first and only at this time though I am working on #2.
My current issue is one of declining performance in the past year, at the gait- which has improved- and now at the canter.
A year ago Rambo was lame and very stiff and pegged-legged in his right hind- this was over the winter so not sure if he slipped/fell in the ice or what. He was treated with stall rest and bute for 2 weeks, then put on a course of iv Legend. After 6 weeks, he recovered with seemingly to long term effects. No xrays have been done and it has hard to tell if the right stifle or hock, or neither, was the issue. A completed lameness eval was done last year and it was felt he had DJD of the hock.
In November, he became stiff again in his right hind though not as severe. I treated him with a series of iv Legend and he improved. Though not lame at present, he tends to trip a lot with his hind legs and seems to have trouble 'collecting under himself' in order to gait. I wanted to maintain his condition better so I tried using Adequan im once a month. He seemed to do okay on this but I have noticed a lack of long term benefit. My vet recently suggested Acytl d glucosamine but I am not convinced of it's benefits. I have been using it about a month with weekly im injections.
Currently, my horse seems to be gaiting acceptably, but having some real trouble cantering. He canters a few strides and then goes into a pace. I have always had trouble on the left canter lead, but the right was always like clockwork. Now I am having canter issues on the right side as well. My horse did have a stuck patella at a young age that was surgically corrected. I am confused as to what the source of his probem may be- hock- stifle or neither? Hock flexion tests were negative for any reaction. There is no swelling or heat anywhere. He is a very good natured willing horse. At 20, is he just too old to canter and do small open shows? I am not quite ready for a 2nd one until another year, and I am completely in love with this horse. If he could do it, he would. When he can't, it tells me something is wrong.
I am getting frustrated as I don't know if I am just expecting too much of a 20 year old to canter reasonably well. I don't know what next logical steps I can take to better determine the source of his problem, assuming there is one. He just tries so hard for me that I do not want to give up on him.
All suggestions and feedback welcome. Thanks!
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Monday, May 4, 2009 - 7:23 am:
Hello, Stephanie. I wish I had answers for you as to the source of your horse's troubles. I suspect a thorough lameness exam, as DrO outlines in his articles will help you pinpoint the trouble. That said, a healthy and sound 20 year old horse in good shape should have no trouble cantering. 20 is really not that old, and there are many show horses still working well at 20+.
Best of luck getting to the bottom of this.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, May 4, 2009 - 8:04 am:
Welcome Stephanie,
Well we both ride 19 year old TWH's so I sympathize. Yes as you poke around and Fran states clearly you should have a thorough lameness exam done but by someone who is experienced with examining gaited horses. The lack of trot and normal head bob makes evaluation a bit more difficult but the same changes in the lack of symmetry at the running walk is used to evaluate gaited horses, for more on this Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse. You should also note that if this horse spent a year or more padded up for showing that foot issues are common also as some never completely recover from this abuse with persistent poor quality horn at the heels.
There is little doubt that the stifle has some issues with the history of a desmotomy but as to whether that is the main problem remains unknown. Let me advise against IV HA as it's benefit is uncertain at best and it is hard on the pocket book. For more on this and recommended treatment of arthritis you should check out Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview.
DrO
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New Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Monday, May 4, 2009 - 9:29 am:
Thank you so much. I do have access to a vet who is well versed with gaited horses, though I have not used him as of yet.
I haven't used the iv Legend for several months and although it did seem to 'help' in terms of not being stiff or lame, I have not noticed an impact on gaiting or cantering ability. And it is very hard on the pocketbook. The most recent vet who examined Rambo indicated that with regard to his right stifle, 'if there is something to inject on him, it would be his stifle' as opposed to the hock. (The rt stifle is the one surgically repaired when he was young.)
Also- Rambo has not had shoes on his August and they were just normal keg shoes. I am keeping him barefoot this year as we don't ride on any terrain that makes shoes necessary.
In the meantime, while I get a lameness eval set up and possible xrays, is it worthwhile to continue the im acytl d glucosamine?
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New Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Monday, May 4, 2009 - 9:53 pm:
Dr O,
I have read the article Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview. The illustration of the horse with the right rear limb lame looks much like Rambo when he paces on the longe line. He is very choppy in his hind and seems to swing the rt leg out.
I did have a few questions-
1. What is kinematic examination technique? Should I expect the vet (who is coming out Wed May 6) to know what this technique is? I plan to ride Rambo for the vet as part of the eval. His lameness is probably a grade 1 or 2 and noticeable to me as a rider, but not to others from the naked eye. To look at him in the pasture he looks just fine.
2. You mention there is little doubt the stifle has issues given the history of a desmotomy- though whether this is main problem is unknown. Assuming it is the main problem, what treatment recommendations are typically seen?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 - 6:45 am:
Stephanie, I know this may be a little off the wall, but maybe he needs shoes. My horse refused to canter, his backend looked wierd ect. I just had shoes put on him and his canter is back. He didn't look lame so to speak barefoot, but in ridden work he felt weird and did not want to canter.
Here's the discussion if you are interested
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 - 7:59 am:
Hello Stephanie,
The problem with part of your assesement is that TWH's that are not lame can have a choppy pace and many wing outward and somewhat assymetrically I might add. However if you feel the hip elevates on the right side more than on the left when the gait symmetrical that is significant as to the leg that is lame. The next step is figuring out where in the leg the pain is than what is causing the lameness at that location. Taking your questions in order>?><P?.
1) I do not feel as strongly about IM Adequan but its use as a IM product still somewhat speculative. You can read about the proof of efficacy and weight the cost and benefit in your particular case, see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Adequan, use in Arthritis.
2) Kinematic technique involves taking a video of the horse to make observation easier. It may also involve computer analysis of the motion.
3) To read more about why this is see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Upper Rear Limb » Stifle Lameness » Stifle Lock: Upward Fixation of the Patella. As to proper treatment I would treat it as DJD of the femoral-patellar joint capsule. For more on this see Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview.
DrO
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New Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 - 12:20 pm:
Thank you both, Dr. O and Diane. I usually kept front keg shoes on him April- October and let him go barefoot in the winter. Shod or unshod has not made a difference in the past, but that's not to say it can't be part of the issue now. It's always more frustrating to try and figure out a 'vague' problem that just isn't obvious to others. As a rider and owner, I just know when he is not quite right. I have read the articles and have been treating it as DJD for now, just have not found a satisfactory solution to the problem with what I have been doing and now am considering the next steps. Good feedback so far- I do appreciate it.
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New Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 - 12:47 pm:
Diane- I read your post. Yes, Rambo does the same think Hank did when it feels like his hind 'gives out'. I usually get it at the canter and I tend to stop as I feel like I am pushing for too much. Horses are so willing and so bad at telling us when they are in pain. It's tough to figure out what hurts- back, hock, stifle or worse yet, all of the above??!? The gaited horse vet is seeing him tomorrow and I am planning to finally get some xrays done as this has been an off/on problem for over a year now. I want the vet to check his feet too and let me know if he is being trimmed properly and if he feels shoes are necessary, though I hope not. I hope to have a better idea after tomorrow and will let you know more. Thank you ! 
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - 3:01 pm:
Hello,
Here is an update on Rambo after the vet came out today:
-The vet definitely noticed Rambo was stiff in his hind end. When gaiting he did not want to engage his hind end at all.
-At the canter, he picked up the lead fine in both directions, however, he could not hold the canter and broke into the pace after 1/2 lap around the arena.
-Xrays were finally done- overall the vet was very impressed with his joints saying he has the joints of a 12 year old. That said, he said Rambo was obviously stiff and in discomfort. It was difficult for him to state whether it was more hock or stifle related. He admitted the problem was not straighforward.
-I elected to inject the hocks and stifles bilaterally. The hocks only rec'd a steroid, the stifle also rec'd HA in addition to the steroid.
I am nervous and hoping he responds well to the injections as well as does not develop any infection or side effects. I have never had this done before so while it's new to me, I realize it's routine practice and nothing out of the ordinary. So, I am hoping and praying for the best. Hoping that next week when I ride him I have my Rambo back He means the world to me.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - 5:49 pm:
Thanks for the update Stephanie, let us know if it works out. I know the feeling when you get your horse "back"...good Luck
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 8:48 am:
Hello Stephanie,
Sometimes the shotgun approach fits your goals best. However there are 3 separate joint capsules in each joint that need to be injected for completeness making a total of .....12 injections to inject both joints in both limbs. Localizing with intra-articular anesthesia first makes follow up treatment a less....painful procedure.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 10:34 am:
Thank you. I believe the vet injected two spots in each stifle. The x-rays showed some mild 'debris' in each stifle. He is emailing me the x-rays. If you would like me to post them for your review, I would be happy to do so. I appreciate the input. After my large vet bill yesterday, I most certainly hope I have some answer to the problems I was having!
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 4:10 pm:
Dr O,
What is periarticular (surrounding the joint) pain? How are we able to tell if pain is joint related vs. non- joint related? Rambo's x-rays were overall not bad though I did neglect to mention the vet saw some *very early* signs of ringbone in his left fetlock. He did not feel that was the source of his inability to actively gait and engage his hind end though. I will post the xrays once I receive and you can take a look. I just hope all of that expense was not for nothing.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, May 8, 2009 - 7:15 am:
Peri-articular could be pain from and of the supporting and close by structures of the joint but not the joint itself. The best way to diagnose joint pain would be to inject the joint with topical anesthetic and see if the lameness is promptly relieved. We know some joint blocks will bleed into periarticular structures complicating interpretation. However the amount of time it takes for lameness to improve or by blocking the periarticular structure separately you can usually ferret out the cause. For more on diagnosing lameness see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Localizing Lameness in the Horse.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Friday, May 8, 2009 - 9:30 pm:
It sure makes trying to diagnose the exact cause of lameness so difficult and costly. Sometimes it does feel like a shot in the dark.
I did not get the email of the x-rays yet, but the injections rec'd were: lateral femorotibial joint on both sides, medial femorotibial joint on both sides. tarsometatarsl on both sides for a total of 6 injections. Your prior post indicated 12 joints would have to be hit to get each one, so I will have to see how these work. Based on my bill, I am not sure I would have considered giving any more than I did...yikes.
Post injection, are there any suggestions for supplementation or anything that will aid in prolonging their effectivness? I am going to try Recovery eq. Previously, he was on Smartflex Sr which is Smartpak's own formulation. Are there any specific products that you typically recommend?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2009 - 10:46 pm:
For suggestions on oral nutraceuticals see, Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Glucosamine, ChonDrOitin Sulfate, and their use in Arthritis.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 - 9:27 am:
Thank you. I will try the Recovery Eq and see how that works.
As for effect of the injections, I am not sure how long before I would expect to see any notable change. Injections were done 7 days ago and he was ridden 4 days post injection very lightly and 6 days post injection. I could not tell any difference. Very reluctant to canter last night still. So, either the injections were for nothing, or they have not yet taken effect. I do not feel I can show my horse this year with his current performance issues, which saddens me. He may simply be moving towards retirement and perhaps I will just need to accept where he is at at this point in his life. Unfortunately, I do not have endless time or money for additional diagnostics and vet appts. At some point, the line has to be drawn. He is healthy, alert and active in every other way. I only notice 'performance problems' with him under saddle. Very sad and frustrating.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 7:28 am:
Hello Stephanie,
Vague hind limb lameness is difficult and sometimes expensive to diagnose. Had the vet found a bit of arthritis responsive to the injections he would be looking the hero. However this result is why I like to pick the most lame leg and work it up till the painful area is identified and diagnosed. I probably would have spent about the same amount as the treatment and if further diagnotic imaging needed maybe a lot more but would be light years ahead in the ability to prognose and decide if further treatment justified.
How does the Recovery Equine match up with our recommendations? What are the ingredients and dosage rates. In the past when I have reviewed this product I did not care for it that much, if I remember correctly.
If there is a general feeling this is a chronic lameness not represented by significant tissue instabilty NSAID's would be logical treatment to see if performance can be returned to an acceptable level. Have you tried phenylbutazone?
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 12:40 pm:
Hello-
No, I have not used bute on Rambo in over a year. I have thought about doing that too. I will place a call to the vet to see what his recommendation is and get an RX if necessary. If it's a chronic lameness issue, are we talking about daily bute or a short course of it for 10-14 days? I do have Previcox on hand (which is the canine formula of Firocoxib). I note that you seem to prefer bute over the Firocoxib.
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 12:43 pm:
Sorry- the info on Recovery EQ is.My vet suggested Total Joint Care, but I had already ordered this so will give it a try first.
Guaranteed Analysis
Ingredient Per Serving Per Pound
Nutricol 1000 mg
Trimethylglycine hyDrOchloride (TMG) 1000 mg
Glucosamine HyDrOchloride 10,000 mg
MSM 10,000 mg
Vitamin C 1400 mg
Vitamin E 750 IU
Magnesium 525 mg
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 12:43 pm:
Sorry- the info on Recovery EQ is.My vet suggested Total Joint Care, but I had already ordered this so will give it a try first.
Guaranteed Analysis
Ingredient Per Serving Per Pound
Nutricol 1000 mg
Trimethylglycine hyDrOchloride (TMG) 1000 mg
Glucosamine HyDrOchloride 10,000 mg
MSM 10,000 mg
Vitamin C 1400 mg
Vitamin E 750 IU
Magnesium 525 mg
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, May 15, 2009 - 8:42 am:
Stephanie, we would be talking about what ever works for your situation. The article on Arthritis Overview lays out a plan for long term NSAID use.
I don't prefer phenylbutazone over firocoxib but after 25 years experience with it I find bute cheap, effective, and safe. To the degree that firocoxib may be safer I would prefer it but cost must figure into this equation for many folks and we really do don't know that it is all that much safer. In human studies selective COX-2 inhibitors have been a bit disappointing from the safety standpoint and not clearly safer in human studies than older NSAID medication. We deal in some detail with the evidence of safety and compare it to bute in the firocoxib article.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Friday, May 15, 2009 - 10:49 am:
Dr O,
Thanks for all of your feedback. I have read your articles.
A friend of mine who is a very good horsewoman suggested that I was being a little too easy on Rambo. He is very lazy-type horse. She felt that since his injury last winter, I had been too easy on him and not challenging him or myself. She suggested he had lost muscle tone and become deconditioned and needed to become more fit, and this was why he was having difficulty gaiting and cantering. Also, being a Walker it is more difficult for them to gait than it is for a horse to trot. She has known Rambo for a few years and told me that if she really felt something was wrong with him, she would tell me. She suggested I get on him and push him harder and make him work- break a sweat and really get back into shape. If he still was having issues after a month or two, then maybe there was something more. On the other hand, I have a friend who has known Rambo for 16 years tell me she thought he was nearing retirement. As with anything dealing with horses, I get conflicting opinions. I am sort of a novice so I rely on the opinions of more advanced horsepeople. I do agree I tend to go easy on Rambo and given the fact the x-rays were esstentially fine- joints of a 12 yr old- and he has been injected, perhaps it is time for me to push him harder and get him fit. Is there any danger in pushing him to become more fit? I have been afraid to push him this last year for fear of hurting him. He does not exhibit any signs of being in pain on a regular basis. He walks fine, rolls over on both sides, is very alert, curious, good appetite, still shedding out well, etc.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 9:14 am:
Stephanie did your vet hoof test your horse? So many of us have had similar problems and proper trimming/shoeing has helped a lot even if it is not the "root" of the problem. Proper break over can help out stifle issues ect,
I am rather obsessed with hooves tho . As I referenced above I believe my horse has stifle issues, but getting him trimmed up right and shod on front his canter is back and great, the falling in the hole is gone! His "lameness" was vague also and nothing appeared "wrong" with him in pasture.
Could you post pics of his feet? I thought Hanks hooves were ok, until I posted pics here
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 9:55 am:
If there is injured tissue that needs to heal and you push the exercise you could do further damage, but I do not know if that is the case with your horse. For those who go with this option take it slow and evaluate response to exercise to judge if you are helping or hurting.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 12:02 pm:
Diane, I am having the farrier out on 5/19 so I will definitely discuss with him. I had wanted to leave him barefoot this summer, but if I need to put front shoes on him I will. Thanks for the suggestions
As far as tissue damage, I really don't think there is any. He has been palpatated very well by the vet. But, I am going to try to recondition him and take it slowly and build up to it. I rode him yesterday and he gaited very well but the canter was bad. He has such a lovely canter too. But he just can't seem to hold it together right now. Many people have commented that it just appears he has a weak hind end from muscle loss and needs to build it up again. I am going to try the shoeing and a good month or so of more work and see what that does. He did not turn up lame after my work yesterday, so I would think that is a good sign.
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 - 10:16 pm:
Still working Rambo pretty regularly- 4 times a week with lots of gaiting and walking. Trying to get the canter 'back' but still having some issues. It does seem to be getting better so the only way to know if this is partially a conditioning issue (at least at the canter) is to keep up the slow but steady work. I feel there is truth somewhere in the middle that I may never know for sure- part joint/part tissue/part deconditoning and age related. At this point I feel like I am doing all I can- daily joint supplement, weekly actyl d glucosamine im, regular consistent exercise and he's been x-rayed and had joint injections. Short of that, I am not sure what else I can do. I will post back in another week or so with an update on Rambo's progress.
Special thanks to Dr O, Fran C. and Diane.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 7:20 am:
I hope he continues to improve, Stephanie. Please keep us updated on his progress.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 7:43 am:
Stephanie I hope you get "your horse back"! As Fran said keep us updated.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 7:48 am:
Stephanie you may be spending money on treatment of no value. Read the article Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Adequan, use in Arthritis where we cover some of these acetyl-d-glucosamine products often marketed as a type of generic Adequan. In fact we have doubts about the value of any of the periodically injected IM and IV joint treatments.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 5:21 pm:
Rambo will still not canter! This is very frustrating. I see others walk, trot and canter their horse, and I think- why can't I just do that?? It seems so simple. I am not sure with Rambo if it is that he can't canter anymore- or just won't. Yes, he is lazy. Yes, he has 'my number'. This could be the case. I am still working on conditioning him more. He is ridden 4-5 times a week with lots of gaiting. I feel like giving up my quest to get his lovely, smooth canter back though. He just can't seem to hold it together for more than a few strides. Breaks into the pace, goes to a tight circle, and stops-then looks back at me as if to say "oh, that was bad!". Yeah, I know- I am riding it.
I had him chiroed in March and then mid-April...noticed the cantering issues starting shortly after his last adjustment. My barn owner says he needs more padding in his shoulders.
Dr O- I agree on questionable effectiveness of Acytl D- however- I spent a whopping $35 for a bottle that will last me 5 months even with weekly injections so it's not a huge investment. I have been giving him an im injection about every 10 days, plus he's on Recovery EQ. He is gaiting really well, just not cantering at all. It's a bummer.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 5:35 pm:
Will he canter on a lunge line or if you chase him around the arena/pasture?
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 8:00 pm:
Hi Diane,
I don't lounge very often at all. I never really needed to lounge him before riding or anything, but no- he typically will pace on the lounge line. It's hard to get a Walker to gait on a lounge line so I just let him do whatever. He has cantered on the lounge line occasionally so I could try to get him to do that and see what he does.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 7:48 am:
If I understand correctly your horse cantered fine until developing chronic lameness symptoms which you believe to be coming from the stifle, a common complication of earlier desmotomy. Is that correct? Have your tried a preride dose of bute?
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 9:32 pm:
Dr O,
Rambo always cantered fine on the right lead- but the past 2 years he had trouble on the left (pacing instead). He started having trouble on the right lead as well about 6 weeks ago. Can you consider him a case of chronic lameness when he is not lame per se, but does have performance issues? I have not tried periodic bute, but I am going to. I am going to try bute and then see how he does. My thought is if he is better with bute, there is something bothering him that I have not yet identified. I almost hope that is not the case and that he is just 'playing me'. I would rather deal with that. Yi.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, May 30, 2009 - 8:30 am:
Stephanie, lameness is defined as a change in the normal way of going and if this is indeed the case it has been going on for two years. I would propose that to the very careful eye there has been very mild lameness since the surgery on the stifle, they all almost do (see the article on Patellar Lock for more on this). What I wonder is if this has now worsened to a more severe arthritic condition.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 6:28 pm:
Dr O,
Tried bute yesterday when I rode- he gaited beautifully and did canter, it was there but not perfect. Today, no bute...he still gaited really well and cantered nicely on both sides. I was pretty glad. Perhaps the injections are working. Perhaps it was a little bit of a will issue. I have no doubt there is some arthritis in the stifle and I hope the injections have addressed that more than oral or im supplements have. I have hope that I may be able to do some trail riding and a few open shows this summer as planned. Do you think there is any harm in that, even with arthritis? Honestly the vet said he did not see anything very bad in his xrays and said he had the joints of a 12 year old.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 8:14 am:
And perhaps the bute is still working Stephanie.
The assessment of "will work be bad for myr horse" has to be made by the veterinarian examining the horse but the lack of radiographic abnormalities and swelling supports the idea of some amount of work being good.
We discuss riding the arthritic horse in our overview of arthritis article (referenced above) and it gives guidelines to use for assessing what might be the ideal amount of work.
DrO
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2009 - 1:37 pm:
It's a bummer to think I need to give my horse bute just to ride him. I hope that is not the case.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2009 - 7:57 am:
But a relief to know you may have an option that might be effective. For more on this and other NSAID's and arthris treatments see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx).
DrO
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 2, 2009 - 11:39 pm:
Aww Stephanie-- some days I need 600mg of naproxen just to get my own self in the saddle, and I'm relatively younger than your 20yo horse. (And nobody lecture me on NSAID dosing-- I don't want my liver if it isn't vertically superior to a horse.)
Sometimes you can wean them off the bute when they get fitter in work, but a little bit of anti-inflammatory action and pain relief seems like kindness for a horse this age who's still in work. Some of us have had good luck with firocoxib, if you're worried about his stomach.
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 3, 2009 - 8:53 pm:
You guys are right...here is a 20-year been there, done that horse who is still willing to do it for me...he did canter tonight without bute so that's encouraging. But- I also feel better- if I need it, I will use it but cautiously. elk- I do have Previcox that I can use as well. Thanks! Here's Rambo's still got it at those shows this summer! Gotta hand it to the senior equines for all they give.
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Member:
shogeboo
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 9, 2009 - 8:44 pm:
Update...he continues to gait well and canter too- no bute needed. First show this Sunday! Yeah to the Senior equines!
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