My sister's horse....

Question

My sister has a 15.2hh chestnut TB gelding. He is such a sweetie, but now has arthritus in both his hocks he's only 12! we have tried all the vets can think off and no improvement infact he seems to have got worse! he is being taken in to the vets for all of the vets in the area to look at.

He is just ending up wasted, my sister doesn't go out and feed him or see him, me and my mum look after him make sure he's fed and rugged up, but we dont know what to do with him!! he would make a rubbish companion as he gets so attatched and goes nuts when horses are taken away yet we dont want to have him put down, we cannot afford t keep him. anybody have any ideas?

Answer 1

I'm really sorry your sister feels this way, but I can sort of understand as she must be very upset, not knowing what she can do to help her poor boy.

If all the vets' efforts aren't helping, could it just be possible the problem could be something other than arthritis, and the drugs aren't helping because they aren't appropriate for his condition, whatever that is? In this case, pooling all the expertise of all the other vets is the right thing to do, as someone may have the right suggestion to make.

Did your vet X-ray to determine the arthritis, or are they assuming that it is? There could be something else, such as some kind of fracture of a small bone in the joint.

My friend's horse had very extensive treatment for arthritis. On investigation at the vet hospital they found spavins and ringbone in addition to degenerative joint disease.The horse was given to what was then the ILPH and he was rehomed within weeks as a hack.

I tell you this story to illustrate that there is still hope, and urge you not to give up.

Give your sister a big hug and try to help her to get out of this sense of hopelessness. The horse needs her to keep loving and caring for him, he can't help being ill. Everyone on Answers will be rooting for her.

Answer 2

One thing you could try is hyalun - it is hyaluronic acid. I give it to my old horse who is arthritic and it has made a huge difference - no bute over the summer this year at all and he is in fine form. You have to buy it from the US though.

As for his future - he would make an excellent companion for the right horse, see if there is anyone locally. ILPH won't take him as he couldn't be rehomed - but one of the Blue Cross centres might as he has veterinary needs. If he is insured, ask whether you can claim loss of use, if you have that covered - the money would help keep him for the time being.

Answer 3

Has your vet suggested any pain medication or feed supplementation?

I would think that light excersize, some joint supplements and a little bute might go a long way.

Make sure the horse is not overweight, that can add unwanted stress to that joint, and make sure he is in good farrier care and his feet are well balanced.

Answer 4

My heart goes out to you.  

Realistically, by the sounds of it you have 2 options, the first is to have him put to sleep, the second is see if an animal charity could take him.

I think, given the circumstances, I would speak to my mum and to the vet and look at having him put to sleep.  If cortisone (steroids) aren't helping him and bute is having no effect on him then really, there isn't all that much more that conventional medicine can do.  I personally, would be making that decision sooner rather than later so as not to put him through any more pain.  

Usually with arthritis, then gentle exercise with bute or any other NSADs do help.  But if he is at the stage where you have been advised not to exercise him well, it's not sounding good.

You could try devils claw, codlivine etc.  to see if that helps, as well, maybe see if there is a reiki or massage person in your area to see if that alleviates any of his pain.

Failing this, you could contact ILPH or Blue cross to see if they can suggest anything for you or any ways of helping you.

Sorry I could not give you any better advice.  My plea to you (as hard as it is) would be to think about the horses quality of life.  

Answer 5

What makes you think he is a bad companion? I knew a horse like that but he is fine if you only keep him with a couple of horses. He has to come in first but once he is stabled he is fine.

If possible, you need to send him to a retirement home like Redwings. They only ask for a donation when you first send them there so there are no future costs. Also, you can turn them over to the Blue Cross as they can either re-home them, or keep them at their various shelters.  

Answer 6

Your only option is to put him down.

Honestly, it's the best thing. YOU will know that his last days he was loved, not in pain, with horses, being fed, clean, happy, HE will not resent you for it.

Much safer then prolonging his pain, or selling him "to a good home" where you won't ever know if it was a good home, or the slaughter guy who will ship him to BC, Alberta, Quebec, or Mexico.

Answer 7

Oil really doesn't help with this kind of problem you are only adding high value protein to his diet and this will inflame the arthritis.

I have a 27 year old Hanoverian mare who has arthritis in her joints and I have found that long-term feeding of Devils Claw powder has really helped her. Of course she will never be ridden again, but she can still gallop (stiffly!) down the field and roll in the muddiest patches!

Your sister is really irresponsible and you and your Mum cannot be praised enough for taking over the care of this horse.

If you really can't keep him contact the International League for the Protection of Horses ( I think the new name is something like World Horse Welfare) and tell them your story. They will endeavour to help you find a new home for him, and maybe he can still be of use to someone as a field companion for young stock or perhaps for the RDA??

Good luck!

Answer 8

ok this might sound where but use borax in his feed its a loundry product you get from supermarkets. it werks relly well i use on my old horse also give him some apple cider viniger

Answer 9

Acupuncture might help, and at least there will be no side effects.  

Answer 10

ur sister should be grateful to have such a wondeful animal!!! not take it for granted!!

see what the vet would advise you to do with him,

maybe you could get him a small companion??

good luck xx