Arthritic Older Mare

[WeeOkie]

Do any of you know of a great supplement to top dress older horses feed? I have an old retired broodmare (could not believe it when I looked at her papers just now and saw that she will be 28 years old in a couple of months). She has been non-productive for quite a number of years now and seems still to be quite healthy, eats her sr. feed and hay well, but is getting around quite slowly this winter. She is up at night with her old buddy, a soon-to-be 20 year old stallion. They have lived together for years, and when that hard decision comes for her, I'm not sure if he will survive without her. When she's out with some other horses during the day (if she wants to be--she tells me) he sure does not like being by himself.

Anyway, back to my original question. I want to keep her comfortable during her last years/months so would like to find a good supplement to help her with her arthritis. We all need help sometimes, right!! So any experience/testimonials along these lines?

Thanks, Rita

 

[Jean_B]

I have been using Glucosamine w/ Chondroitin for old Vegas (now 26 years old...and he's quite arthritic due to pounding the fenceline for so many years). I buy the one named RE-CRE-8 that is carried by Bloodline Vet Supply. He gets 1/2 ounce every night.

Before I put him on that -- he was unable to bend his knees without a LOT of pain for hoof trimming - so the farrier extended his leg out front and trimmed him from the bottom. Not easy to do!!! After about 6 weeks on RE-CRE-8 -- he can bend his knees and is not in substantial pain and we can trim his feet normally.

After the success with him...I started using a similar product and doing much better myself.

 

[wildoak]

Rita,

I just started several of my horses - including my 30 year old QH mare - on Platinum Performance. It's a great all around supplement, and does have chondroitin etc in it. Would have to go look at the container to tell you exact ingredients, but she does seem to be doing better on it. Have used Flex Free in the past, when she was still ridable, and I liked it too. Platinum has a website - www.platinumperformance.com

Hard to watch these sweet old guys start to decline.

Jan

 

[whimsical]

We use Activex for our QH that has it.

He is like a youngster now. You wouldn't even know he has a problem.

You can order it through valleyvet.com

 

[WeeOkie]

Thanks, Jean, Jan and Ellen. I'll try to find one of the products that you've recommended.

Rita

 

[Vicky Texas]

Can you give any of this to a pregant mare? Is it safe for the baby?

Vicky

 

[Jean_B]

Can you give any of this to a pregant mare? Is it safe for the baby?

Vicky

Yup !

:

 

[Joyce]

I find a scoop of Flaxseed daily helps my arthritic older mare.

 

[Cimarron]

Rita, Just had to ask -- Which mare and stallion are you talking about? Just curious! Sheila

 

[WeeOkie]

Rita, Just had to ask -- Which mare and stallion are you talking about? Just curious! Sheila

Sheila, it's Crickett and Foxy. Can you believe they're that old?

Rita

 

[firecoach]

I find that Cetyl M works wonders. They have a website, however, Valley Vet is cheaper and if you buy 50.00 then there is no shipping charge. I have a mini that could hardly get around and I gave it to him and he was spinning around playing. I have taken the people version myself and it works wonders. I love the stuff.