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Member
Posts: 48
Location: Northern IL | Can anyone recommend a good affordable supplement that works for arthritis??? I have a 21 yr.old paint mare, that has had arthritis since the day I bought her, and have always used Farnam's Max Flex but the cost of that has gone up and I would like to find something that I can afford (am currently laid-off from my job)...Thought about getting some Majesty's Flex Wafers from Valley Vet but was wondering if anyone has used them and if they actually worked for their horse....I trail ride my mare, which I do anyways, just no hard work and the vet recommend that I do some light riding to keep her joints from stiffening up and feed a supplement...Would like to find something that I can order from Valley Vet or Horse.com (formerly Country Supply)... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
 
Location: Kansas | I'm not sure what you are used to spending but I had very good luck using DAC (directactionfeeds.com-I think) Yucca. He was extremely picky about what he'd eat and this not only met with his approval but helped with his stiffness. He lived to be 34. Good luck. |
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Location: KY | Ask your vet and your farrier for recommendations. good luck |
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Member
Posts: 48
Location: Northern IL | I used to pay only about $40-$45 for the Max Flex but it has gone up to about $55 for a 3.75 pound bucket at Farm and Fleet...I would got to the vet but I know he is just gonna want to sell me some the products that they keep on hand and is gonna say "I really should come out and see this horse first"...and thats not gonna happen cuz I have owned this horse for about 9 years and I know whats wrong with her... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas | The website is feeddac.com. Their yucca supplement starts at 5 pounds for $28, which will last 40 days. 15# is $75 dollars and lasts 120, 30# is $107 and lasts 240 days, 50# is $134 and lasts 400 days. So you can choose how much you can afford but it ranges from 70 cents a day to 28 cents a day depending on how big a container you can afford. ETA: I am NOT a dealer, just a customer. I am currently using their broodmare formula for the second time on my pregnant mare.
Edited by terri s 2010-03-29 9:23 AM
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Member
Posts: 16
Location: Palmyra, WI | I have the same issue with a 20 year old gelding. His arthritis is confirmed on x-rays. Vet recommended Cetyl-M. Having tried other supplements before the x-rays and not getting any results, I tried the Cetyl-M (you must do the 30 day loading dose...so your first pail will go fast). I have been very pleased with the results and have seen noticible improvement. His joints no longer click when he walks. He can gait and canter. Ordered from Valley Vet...they had the lowest price and no shipping charge. It is not cheap but cheaper than buying and feeding stuff that doesn't work. It seems very palatable because this gelding will eat it and he is very fussy about things added to his grain. Good luck to you should you decide to try it. My vet also recommended "Surpasse" which is a cream that you rub on the affected joints...but that is very expensive..especially when dealing with arthritis in all four legs |
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Veteran
Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania | I have a 21 year old mare I have owned since she was 19 months old. She is lame at the trot, and of course, the canter. She is sound at the walk. My vet gave her various flexion tests, and diagnosed arthritis. This mare LOVES to trail ride. She wants to trot to the trailer, and leads the pack at a brisk walk. The vet suggested 2 grams of bute before and and 2 grams after riding. She only gets ridden once a month for about 3 hours (walking). If we are in the mountains, I get off and lead her on anything steep. This year I am riding her English to get the 40 pounds of Western saddle weight eliminated. I tried the Majestic wafers, and did not see any improvement. I put her on Cosequin "optimized" and found it to improve her gaits. She will from time to time enter the spur of the moment race in the pasture with the boys. Cosequin Optimized can be found in supply catalogs for about $120 for an 80 day supply, after your initial 2 week loading period. I trailered my mare to the Marion M. Dupont Equine Center in Leesburg, VA. to be evaluated, as I wanted a second opinion. After flexion tests, x-rays, and sonogram, she was diagnosed with arthritis in all leg joints. On a scale of 0(no arthritis) to 10(worst ever seen) she was declared a 6. The vet said the cosequin is the only powder on the market with valid research that proves its effectiveness. He also concurred with my vet about the bute before and after riding. He said to keep doing what I was doing, which is the cosequin powder, 24/7 turn out with a run in shed, and keep her weight DOWN. He said he likes to see "a little rib" on horses. Fat = hard on joints. He stated that this is a progressive disease, and will get worse. He stated the next product that he would recommend, but I can not remember it right now. Hope this helps! |
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Location: KY | You also can used generic aspirin rather than the bute before and after. My ancient arthritic dogs are on the extended release 81 mg aspirin (one tab each per day). When I give to a horse, I give 10 of the 325 mg tabs twice a day. I have arthritis myself all over and use mobic daily long term. I have tried all the supplements myself and have had no relief; long term nsaids are what keep me going. Wish you had wonderful vets like we have. Give my regards to your horse. |
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Member
Posts: 48
Location: Northern IL | Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and will take all into consideration... :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 610
Location: Northern CA | Also remember to blanket your arthritic horses for the rain and cold weather. This will also help them to feel better and to help keep the arthritis from progressing faster as it would without keeping them warm and comfy. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas | Ditto on the cetyl-m. Forgot they had a horse formulation. Use it on myself and my dogs. Can't speak for the dogs other than to say they do not appear to be stiff any more. My knees haven't bothered me in ages. |
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Veteran
Posts: 179
Location: Illinois | I give our mare Arthred (she just turned 22), it's for us but I give it to her. It's a powder with no taste. I would sprinkle it on her food. I get it online from vitacost for $16 a can. I also give it to my dog. My husband & I take it also. |
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Member
Posts: 20
Location: Midland, MI | I know you posted this awhile back, but thought I would reply anyway. The best joint supplement I have found is called Acti-Flex. I believe there are two kinds, Acti-Flex 4000 and Acti-Flex Senior. Maybe the senior would be best for your mare. It comes in liquid or powder. I have tried both, and my horses ate either just fine. Order it from Big Dee's in Ohio (bigdeeweb.com I think is the site?) for the best price. :) |
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.jpg) Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | I used cortaflx with my old mare. She was a very pickey eater and it really helped her. I still had to give her bute the night before the farrier came out but she was pretty bad. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474
Location: White Mills, Ky. | My 28 year old mare is on B-L Pellets from horse.com (formerly Country Supply) About a week after I started her on it, I noticed she didn't spend as much time lying down and seemed to move around the pasture a lot more. Be sure to read the warnings, though. It cannot be used in broodmares. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420
Location: Florida | I use Cortaflex also. I believe it has helped my guy out. ValleyVet Free freight. http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e07fea-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5 |
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Member
Posts: 48
Location: Northern IL | Thanks for all the suggestions...I think I am gonna go back and try the cortaflx (sp) again...I tried it years ago and pretty good results with it... |
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Regular
Posts: 82
Location: Massachusetts | Go to smartpak.com and see what they offer |
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Affordable Supplements 4 Arthritic Horse
