my 17 year old horse has arthritis. Can i still ride him and how do i make him more comfortable?

Question

he is a quarter horse palimino and is 15.2 hands

Answer 1

Yes- minimal exercise is good for joints it helps keep them lubricated- but no excessive riding like 100 mile trail rides that would be too hard on the joints and would irritate them so he would be lame. The best thing for a horse with arthritis is to not be stall kept (the joints swell up from lack of movement) but to be fept 24/7 on pasture, ridden lightly a few times a week, and be started on a joint supplement somethng with MSM (helps with inflamation) and glucosamine in it. Here are the joint supplements that farnam carries: http://www.farnamhorse.com/products.php?cmd=listcat&key=300129&cat=Joint+Supplements

Answer 2

Interesting answers here. You should definitely talk to a vet. MOST horses get arthritis as they age. It does not mean you can't ride them. However, arthritis is pretty vague. The real answer is: It depends. It depends on where the arthritis is, how bad it is, how much it affects the horse, and what you are expecting to be able to do with him.

Bute is a prescription anti-inflammatory medication that you can get from your vet that might help.

Joint injections are a good option and possibility depending on the above factors.

A longer and slower warm-up is helpful

The more movement and turn-out the better. Horses with arthritis are often in more pain if they stand still or are stalled for much of the day

My horse is 20. She has arthritis in her hocks, and I still ride and jump her. She gets yearly injections in her hocks, which seem to help. The more I ride her, the better she does (like humans, activity can often help).

Talk to your vet and listen to your horse. But, don't get discourage. Arthritis is very very common. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a 17 year old horse that DOESN'T have arthritis.

Answer 3

Arthritis In Horses

Answer 4

Yes you can still ride him, but it will more then likelly hurt him if you go over a trot and if you ride him too much for too long. Also I would ask an equine vet for a treatment for his arthritis but if it`s too bad and the vet says you shouldn`t, then maybe stick with just walking him around or lunging him a little to keep him in descent shape. Also that really stincks he already has Arthritis because 17 isn`t too old for a horse most get it well into their 20s.

Answer 5

You can still ride him. I ride a horse with arthritis. Get treatment. The Arthritis shiouldn't stop you from riding. That doesn't mean hes ready for galloping for days but let him do what hes comfortable with.

Answer 6

Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.

If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.

And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.

I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.

It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.

Today, I want to do the same for you!

Answer 7

Yes....Minimal excercise like many people have said, will benifit your horse greatly. There are also other forms of treatment to help your horse be more comfortable. Ask a veterinarian about supplements "NO BUTE- as it can cause severe liver and kidney problems if taken to long" But supplements like MSM or cortiflex, kind of pricey but find something that fits his needs and your pocket. I have found that my 36 year old morgan gelding does wonderful on Grand Meadows supplements. He is still rideable, just trails though.

But just be easy with him, oh and another thing you can do is heavily bed his stall with shavings, or a mixture of shavings and straw. And you can also use absorbine linement wash, but I prefer the gel, and don't wrap his legs especially if they are white....it has a tendancy to burn.....like icy hot that us humans use.

Answer 8

Tellington-Jones developed a massage for this, research her and get her book(s), the techiques are awsome and your horse will love you for this.
If you have half of the success with the TTouch method as I did, yes you will be riding your horse.
But don't opt for no medical treatments, have a vet look over your horse and then work in the TTouch and 3 months later have the vet recheck your horse - he/she will see a difference, so will you.

Answer 9

take your vets advice, but i know lots of young and old arthritic horses, and they thrive on having a gentle hack out, some days will be better than others, and if they are in obvious discomfort just turn around and go home. many horses do not take well to being totally retired.
to make him comfortable try devils relief plus from naf or any brand of glucosimine with added m.s.m and vit c a natural inflammatory, you could also try a comfry oil to massage the affected joint/joints with

Answer 10

If he is not on a suppliment for arthritis put him on one and keep him moving. If you put him in a stall it will make him worse.
Try light trail riding and see how he does. If he is not sore and seems to be ok keep it up. Movement is really good for them. It will keep him from freezing up.
THey make many different supplimnets for that and I am sure you can find one that will fit into your budget and make him feel better.