calekio
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Post by calekio on Jan 14, 2013 19:44:47 GMT 1
I'm finding my 3 arthritic shetlands are really starting to struggle with this weather! Especially the mud and i think the action of pulling arthritic legs through mud is really starting to cause problems (i have joint problems and its killing me! so can only imagine how they are feeling!! ) Tonight.. i buted all 3. But i am wondering about maybe trying a natural one.. but soooo many to choose from.. Or anything else i can try... unfortantly fencing them out of the mud not an option.. the first.. 50 metres of the field is quite boggy, then in other places.. but plenty of drier places too.. Currently i have dinki who i've had to increase his danolin, Splash who i've put back on it tonight.. and same with may.. given her some bute. But especially with May, she is chronic laminitic/cushings.. watched like a hawk for heat/pulses... vet basically just lets me medicate her as i feel now as everytimes she's said no don't bute her, i'll come tomorrow.. she's been sound by then! lol Or its not been lame as such but she seems very unhappy to me... so i'm now basically just bute her when i think she needs it... but i worry about having a chronic lammi on bute.. and missing the signs of a early onset of laminitis because the bute would mask it... would a natural painkiller do the same? Or is it basically a take the edge off type thing? And then which ones.. previously tried turmeric & also tried a bit of meadowsweet. (turmeric with dinki & splash, meadowsweet with only dinki before i gave up/in and gave him danolin)
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Post by specialized on Jan 14, 2013 19:59:29 GMT 1
We have successfully used devil's Claw for an old arthritic mare and it gave relief most of the time with only an occasional top-up of bute required.
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Post by jes on Jan 14, 2013 20:50:27 GMT 1
Devils claw is really good. I tend to use a tincture rather than a powdered herb. Various companies do it, NAF, Equimins, NoBute, Buteless, etc. I'm currently using EquineAnswers Bute Substitute.
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Post by KoLaTo on Jan 14, 2013 20:55:10 GMT 1
I did use Devils Claw for quite few yrs - Buteless by Equine America, however am now trialling pure Boswellia and have to say the difference between the two are quite marked and the Boswellia is gentler on the tummy for them as well. Not sure if it's such a difference as she had got used to the Devils Claw or what but definitely working.
Having said that I've just put her on Danilon as well for a few days as she is very pottery on the hardcore for no apparent reason, no pulses or anything, feet best they have been for a long time given how wet it has been so I am wondering if it isn't actually her feet but her arthritis playing up to be honest as it's been so damp all the time.
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Post by Ally S on Jan 14, 2013 21:33:13 GMT 1
I'm not sure about natural pain killers at all. Natural doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Natures plants contain some very potent drugs. After all, Hemlock is natural and one of the chemotherapy drugs which can have the worst reaction is made from Yew. I have to medicate one of my horses from time to time, but tend to stick to Danilon as it's licensed, well tested, and I know what the side effects may be. All drugs have to be processed by the body whether natural or not. I wonder how well products like Devil Claw have been tested for side effects? Maybe they have. I need to do a bit more research!
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Post by curlytobiano on Jan 14, 2013 22:20:25 GMT 1
i did find the no-bute product from Aviform worked very well. Cant remember what it was called though but a quick google would probably work for you Calekio.
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Post by shan on Jan 14, 2013 22:39:45 GMT 1
Homeopathic Ruta pills, or perhaps Arnica. Freemans Pharmacy are very helpful and quick to post
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madmare1
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The Gruesome Twosome
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Post by madmare1 on Jan 14, 2013 23:00:08 GMT 1
I use Danilon for my old mare, summer I use Global Herbs Alphabute and Global Herbs OldAge all year round. I also use the Movefree Plus from Global Herbs, all work brilliantly, and my mare is very happy. Also, and I don't really know if this makes a difference, she has a pair of Equilibrium Magnetic Stable chaps, wearing them and she's happy, mobile and trying to kill me out on hacks!
Emma xx
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Post by Hannah on Jan 14, 2013 23:15:09 GMT 1
I have just started my oldie on daily Danilon. I have the same worries as Ally S.
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calekio
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Post by calekio on Jan 15, 2013 6:36:14 GMT 1
We tried devil's claw for a few years but it then didn't seem to help much.. Yes that's the think with the natural stuff.. I dont know a lot about it.. Is it really safer/better for long term?? As I do worry about them being on danolin/bute for long term? Dinki is on it now and as I've just found.. Things get worse I have to increase the dose.
I've been looking at boswellia, as few people said about that...
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potto
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Post by potto on Jan 15, 2013 9:23:29 GMT 1
Just an idea, but a lot of horses have been suffering from strains etc due to deep mud i know you said they are little ones but maybe a bit of back/ massage/ physio care???
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Post by nich on Jan 15, 2013 9:58:17 GMT 1
bioflow magnetic boots on overnight - keep the legs warm and dry as well as the magnet therapy. Autumn is coping very well with this plus turmeric, and bute on the days she is trimmed.
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calekio
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Post by calekio on Jan 15, 2013 11:45:19 GMT 1
Oh yes they have regular visits from the back lady/mctimothy practicionor, two are out 24/7 currently, we are moving end of the month then hopefully they will have field shelter adapted to be a stable for them.. And hopefully less mud! The one who is stabled at night, doesn't like wearing her leg wraps... :/ she box walks with them on...
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madmare1
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Post by madmare1 on Jan 15, 2013 11:56:11 GMT 1
My old lady is a chunky 14.2 arab, and stabled with daily ridden exercise.....or turnout in the big outdoor arena. No muscle strains, nothing...just the fact we had crap weather last summer and she didn't get the turnout or the exercise she normally does....old girl just stiffened up. Old age is one thing we have found no cure for yet.
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calekio
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Post by calekio on Jan 15, 2013 21:06:06 GMT 1
well.. These 3 are very much old before there time.. splash is rising 9, dinki rising 11 and may rising 17 Unfortantly made made issues from abuse or neglect. I do keep saying they won't see another winter... But they haven't given up quite yet. We are moving fields so hoepfully that will help.. Dinki and splash will have field shelter/make shift stable and may will have to walk 10 minutes twice a day too and from her stable! Lol although might do her good, gentle exercise.
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