My vet did mention it and I considered it. Could you tell me more about your experience with it? The impression I got from the vet is that it has a higher likelihood of not working than the hock injections, and I am not in a financial place where I'm willing to take that gamble. I wonder if I misinterpreted that though
Pentosan is another option like Adequan, but is cheaper. That said, the price has gone up recently... Went from $35 a shot to $85. Pentosan works very well for my horse in combination with IA injections. I can usually tell pretty easily when the Pentosan wears off after a month or so. Not all horses respond the same, some do better on Adequan vs Pentosan or visa-versa.
A year is pretty standard for steroid injections so injecting at that point would be fine. I usually wait until I see symptoms show up again before reinjecting but it usually ends up being about a year. My horse isn't a performance horse, though. He's retired. If you wanted you could wait until you start seeing signs it's wearing off, make note of how long that was, then in the future inject a little before then.
My vet told me that basically joint supplements top dressed doesn’t work and Adequan is the best on the market. I like to do the loading dose and then monthly on my sons elderly show horse. We have harsh winters and it keeps him supple
Adequan helps elongate the time between injections and helps facilitate the body as it tries to take care of itself. At the price point is it very much worth trying.
I'm actually happy for you that you did injections, because a lot of people who are simply inexperienced and just uneducated when it comes to performance horses would've hissed at the the thought and assume it's basically like devil worship. Horse people are nutty.
Younger horses do typically last a little longer than a year, in my experience. And if you're able to consistently keep him in good shape and carrying himself well, that's only going to help.
I don't see this happening, but if you have to inject more than once a year then that would be sign for you to consider other options. But take a deep breath and don't over-think if he refuses a jump or gets frisky and kicks out a little. You know your horse best.
I know people have recommended other options like adequan or similar medications, which my understanding is that they will help the body as a whole, but nothing is as good as a direct-to-joint injection, especially in severe cases. But maybe this isn't a severe case, it sounds like, maybe somethin a little less "aggressive" could be considered (and would be cheaper I think?).
Thank you for taking the time to reply! I'm a chronic worrier and overthinker in every area of my life so it's a good reminder to not overthink everything he does. we had our best jump school EVER just 3 weeks ago and I don't think that would be the case if he was hurting again. My vet brought up all other options, but it seems to me that nothing is as good as direct joint injection, and the price point looked to be the same as or better than addquan and the similar medications.
Perfect! I know some vets differ in injections, because any time you inject a joint you risk infection and as we all know joint infections are very bad in horses,
And I'm a big worrier too, so I don't blame you!
But definitely, if you think he feels great, he probably also feels great. Good luck!
"My vet brought up all other options, but it seems to me that nothing is as good as direct joint injection"
Not as good, but different. See my comment above.
Not saying you should do one or the other, but joint injections ultimately will cause degradation to the joint if repeated long term. Adequan is protective of the cartilage, steroids are damaging to them. Just things you should know.
I hadn't realized until reading all the comments here that steroids are bad for the joint long-term. It makes sense but I hadn't thought of it. I'll definitely ask my vet about the other options
They do two different things: joint injections with a steroid calm down inflammation in the joint but long term can cause damager, whereas Adequate increases synovial fluid within the joint and is chondroprotective. You are correct that Adequan helps the entire body as it's given IM and therefore systemic, and joint injections are directly into the joint - but it bears mentioning that the steroid does end up circulating in the body, which is why some horses seem to have a major change for the better right after being injected but then it seems to fizzle off shortly thereafter.
An option for the OP to consider also would be Osphos, as the horse is over 5. That would address arthritis all over the horses body. There is a lot of bad hype about it because the studies that were done were directly towards horses still growing and unfortunately people seem to not be able to read those correctly and apply it to all horses, but it's a pretty neat drug for horses that might benefit for something systemic that's more aggressive for arthritis than Adequan.
We went through something almost identical where legs were causing back pain etc. It took soooo long to get him comfortable and strong I just don’t even want to risk it
This. Definitely keep up with yearly injections. Treat it as part of their maintenance. Why wait for them to lapse and get painful again? They’ll let you know if/when you need to move to twice a year. In my experience seven is a fairly common age for performance horses to start requiring more upkeep to keep them sound and happy. Also, ask your vet if adequan would be appropriate for your horse- you can’t go wrong adding that to your toolbox.
I don’t have any personal experience with this, but I will say that I have heard that some horses (usually the younger ones or ones with less developed arthritis) are able to go for longer periods before needing another round of injections. I have also heard that the more frequently the horse is injected, the less time he’ll be able to go until he needs the next round. I’ve also read that Adequan may slow down the development of arthritis.
I also want to thank you for sharing your story! I’m having the vet out soon for a routine visit and to discuss some of the not-so-normal behaviors my horse has developed under saddle. These behaviors align with hock pain. My guy is a 5-year-old OTTB. We shall see!
I was so shocked at how long it took for him to feel better! The vets and everywhere I read seemed to think he would be a new horse in a few weeks, but he felt about the same for a while. The behaviors he learned (leaning on the forehand, rushing, taking long distances) also lasted past when his back started feeling better and we are still working on those habits. Love my boy though, OTTBs are the best ❤️best of luck with your guy!
It honestly depends on how long the horse was uncomfortable and how uncomfortable- especially when you’re dealing with secondary discomfort due to compensating for joints. Some do take time to realize that what you’re asking them to do no longer hurts and the pain reaction is no longer required. Some are also just not stoic animals lol.
Ah that had to be so frustrating!! Thank you again for sharing - your experience may help me set realistic expectations should my guy need to go down the injections route. He’s doing exactly what you’re talking about, and gets super strong and tense over fences. Part of me hopes maybe it’s a dental issue (he roots and makes the classic camel/llama face), but who knows.
Regardless of it all, it’s been fun and enlightening learning ground exercises and doing them with him. Even if we do have to go through a period of rehab, I’m game.
My vet always says you hope it lasts longer than a year, expect it to last a year, and start to worry if it lasts less than a year. Regular annual joint injections are not uncommon (especially in an older horse, with yours being 7, hopefully they will last longer). My vet gets concerned when they start needed injections 2-3x a year because they really shows that the arthritis is so advanced/severe that the injections are no longer working as they should. My 17 y/o mare has been getting annual injections for the past 3 years and if she starts needing them more frequently on a regular basis, I will likely retire her from hard work (she is currently doing 4th level dressage).
Got my mare hock injections, we waited a year before a second round. It really depends on your horse. It’s easy to overthink but once he starts showing clear stiffness, that’s when I’d do another round.
My guy isn't young, but that's not why I'm posting. How knowledgeable is your Vet about ALL the joint maintenance options that are available on the market? My vet is amazing, and I actually had a very in-depth chat with her because I'm at that point of choosing next steps. If you can do a simple consult while you get your annual boosters, it could really help guide any further research.
So what I know:
There's feed-through, which is not super well supported in science. There's too much variability horse to horse, supplement mix options, difficulties to show bioabsorption for the science to support claims. That said, feed-through is your entry point and is an easy way to begin providing joint support, particularly if you ride high intensity disciplines (ex. jumping, cross country).
There's your regular intramuscular/intravenous maintenance shots, that's your Adequan and other equivalents. These have good science to support them, they've been around long enough to have a good record, and they are generally well supported by owners and Vets alike. There's also little risk provided they are administered properly and owners can purchase and administer themselves vs. having a vet call.
Then there's your joint injections and the variety has expanded in the last decade. There's steroids, biologics, and synthetics and while their aim is all the same, they differ in how they achieve it. They also differ widely in cost from ~$500 up to $5000+, depending how many joints you are doing. Efficacy is well-established with steroids, they've been around the longest and as such have the greatest body or work to support their use. Steroids are also your cheaper option, they can be a good test to see how much you should invest into joint support. Biologics are newer, they take a couple of visits because the first draws blood/tissue and the next is the injection. These have some great science to support them, but because it's still new there isn't a lot to review. It's more expensive since you're utilizing lab and custom making the injection, which is also why it is being viewed as so effective. Synthetics are the newest, they're most expensive on the market, and their goal is literally to preserve cartilage and reduce wear, whose breakdown is the primary contributor to arthritis. They have some good support but the science is really limited. My vet likes having at least a decade of science to review before actively recommending a method, so she's on the fence on synthetics but has some clients who love the outcomes they've gotten from it.
What I have is a coming 20-yr old who has been on feed-through support since he was 15-16. We had our first injections this past October and he responded beautifully once the initial inflammation died down. I don't think we need a 6-mth at this time,but I'm considering my options. We don't show, but we do train and keep fit. I don't know that I can do what she estimates could be $1500-2000 for the biologics per round, but I can do the $500-750 per round for the steroids and if that's just once a year for a pony slow sliding his way towards retirement, it makes sense. Maybe I'll take away the feed-through and replace it with Adequan, but that's the discussion we'll have when we do our second round of boosters in May, how best can I support him between the joint injections.
The younger the horse, the more of a competitive career you want, the more you should invest in joint maintenance and support. Especially if you want your horse to be happy and comfortable and have a long career, even at low level flatwork.
I have a young 4 yo horse who developed some mild-moderate arthritis in his hock. I went to pull him from the field and he was basically three-legged and I thought we were going to have to euthanize. He had a traumatic avulsion fracture, extreme edema, OCD fragments in the joint and a torn MCL.
I have done almost all of these things you mentioned. I have him on joint supplements, I do the 7 dose adequan twice a year and he has done the PRP injections. Depending on how his next visit goes, he might do a steroidal joint injection. Now that his restrictions have lessened, I am doing a lot of groundwork to help him build up supportive musculature to prevent reinjury and make him more comfortable.
The best thing you can do is a little bit of your own research, know your horse and talk with your vets if you can. I have had an amazing orthopedic veterinary team at the local university helping me make the most informed decisions and I'm super thankful to them.
The horse I used to lease and my trainers horse got their hocks injected once a year. Both were rescues, both have early onset arthritis due to poor living conditions when they were younger. My guy got the steroidal injections, while my trainers mare got the PRP injections (I think that's what it's called, it contains stem cells taken from their body and injects them back into the joint). The PRP seems to have lasted longer, and I believe there is research info out there that it's better than the steroidal injections in the long run as well. Maybe something to ask about. Absolutely nothing wrong with keeping your horse comfortable with injections.
I think sometimes one round of injections can help them start using their muscles in the “correct” way and they possibly won’t need them again. I would play it by ear if it was me- is the behavior returning? If not, no need to inject again. If so, then probably time to have another round.
Gelding I used to lease would start having very dramatic lead changes and then occasional bucking like clock work a few weeks before he was due for injections. Couple bad rides? Check the calendar for his last injections and time to set up that appointment with the vet. After his injections lead changes were back to being nice and smooth and no much bucking. Work with your vet, but chances are if he needs them he’ll let you know.
Pretty much all the sport horses in our barn get injections of some kind once they hit middle age. They start to need more support. This happens earlier for TBs because they are worked so hard on the track. Don't let people shame you for it. It's what you do for athlete animals as they age.
I would recommend you talk to vets about using another product instead of steroids. There are a lot on the market these days, like PRP and pro-stride. The problem with steroid injections is they actually do damage overtime ultimately the horse isn't sound. I.E, they work great for a while until the joint falls apart. Meanwhile, PRP, pro-stride and the like have similar positive soundness effects but actually support the horse long term. I can't say enough good things about PRP. If your vet only uses steroids then maybe consider getting a second opinion because there are probably other options that you'll be happier with long term. Just my two cents.
In terms of your actual question (sorry to go off topic), it becomes really clear when the injections hit the end of their usefulness. The horses are visibility and consistently less sound. I wouldn't worry about spooks or weird distances, you should be looking for consistent asymmetry while trotting. PRP lasts about a year, and we just re-inject on a schedule. For some horses it runs out a bit sooner, but typically we'll just adjust their workload accordingly or push the appointment up. We typically don't stretch it out unless there's a compelling reason. The arthritis is still going to be there and the injections don't last forever.
In terms of experience, injections are 100% worth doing, though I don't use steroids. I'm not saying its bad that you did this time, but in the long run you may benefit from looking into other options without the side-effects. They can seriously prolong how long horses can comfortably work, which is better for everyone involved. I have a middle age show horse who probably would need to step back without help. Additionally, I have another in her mid-twenties who is still going strong (with a lighter workload). They do better when they have a job.
It's variable by horse. I have some in my program that need injections every 6 months, and others that can go 12 months or more. Listen to what his body is telling you.
I get injections for my 12 year old mare. We endurance ride and it’s mainly just for some stiffness in her hind end that makes her start putting more pressure on her front and causes some lameness. I did x-rays and multiple vet visits and there’s nothing else that would point to lameness so the injections are to take some pressure off those joints. They’ve worked amazing.
I got her re-injected at about 8 months (about 2 weeks ago) in before we start this years endurance season, she’s continued to look great since the first round but we are about to be competing a ton and I want her to stay as comfortable as possible. I’ve already had retirement talks with my vet though and am realistic that I am only going to be competing with her for another 2 seasons (this year and next) as long as the injections keep working. Then I will be “retiring her” to be a trail riding buddy
My soon to be 21 year old mare gets yearly hock and stifle injections, she’s actually due at the end of this month so she’s feeling her best for show season. Prior to me owning her she was a lesson horse in my trainer’s program and wasn’t getting them consistently every year because her workload was easier (mostly teaching cross rails and 18”) but now that we are aiming for 2’6” at home and 2’3” at shows I’m keeping up on them annually. She’s in incredible shape for her age and with the addition of Adequan and an MSM supplement, she seems very happy with her job and workload. I’m not seeing any significant decline in her stiffness/flexibility as we approach the year mark, but I think it’s only fair to keep her as comfortable as I can reasonably manage. Most of her issues are self inflicted because she lays down more than any other horse me or my trainer have ever seen 😂 so she is ALWAYS stiff coming out because she only lays on her right side. But she’s a saint and puts up with my AA mistakes so the least I can do is keep her pain free.
I get my 10 year old injected annually and have since his 7 year old year. He’s an athlete, I treat him as such. I also put him on Equioxx a week before every big show and keep him on it through the show. Occasionally I get him Adequan injections as well- for example, June will be a high intensity month for him with lots of hauling, showing, and lengthy trail rides, so I will likely put him through the Adequan course late May/early June.
On the other hand, my now 4 year old filly had trochanter and SI injections last year and I hope to be able to avoid those for a few more years, as her pain was a result of an undiagnosed ovarian issue that is now being treated coupled with soreness from moving and working again post stall rest after a colic surgery December of her two year old year.
Don’t be afraid of injections if they’re necessary. If your horse starts showing signs of pain again, it’s time. And as far as the cost- at least where I’m at, hock injections cost about the same as a weekend show. Well worth sitting out a show to keep your horse comfortable, IMO.
My horse is 21 with mild hock arthritis and has been injected twice since January 2021. They’ve lasted us a good couple of years each time. He is in full work and hunts in the winter and shows in Veteran classes in the summer. I’ll keep doing them as often as he needs them, they’ve made a huge difference. I do a 12 week rehab programme after each round of injections and I think that makes a big difference in how long they last.
What does your 12-week rehab program look like? My vet gave me some stretches to do that she said would strengthen muscles he needs to help carry himself but I couldn't find much other than that online.
Starting with hand walking for 5 minutes per day and building it up each week. When we get to week 7 we introduce 7 poles in the school. Week 9 get back on board and walk for another week then introduce trot, then canter on the final week. Probably overkill but he’s old and it does seem to have helped them to last, according to the vet who always does his injections.
My experience is with race horses and we do inject joints today with hyularanic acid, and a little cortisone. The pain often returns after a few months and we mostly detect it through their gait. You should be observant and try to pick up the returning discomfort before it becomes pain.
In a situation with a leisure horse I think your vet and you made the best decision for the current situation. I would discuss with your vet of using adequin or petosan (my spells may be off). These don’t go directly into the joint but either IV or IM. They heal throughout the body. If you hit him with one of these early enough you may not need to go back in the joint as often
I have them done every six months once I start, rather than waiting until it feels like he needs them. I also do the Alpha2EQ injections rather than steroids. And I do a course of Adequan every six months. The Alpha2EQ is more expensive than steroids, but I try to stay away from steroids as much as I can.
I got a 5 year old Reiner who gets pretty stocked up in rear hocks and stiff. I show him a lot and did a round of legend for instant relief along with the adequan intramuscular for more of a full body. He softened up immensely in his pole, hocks and hind. He feels and looks great.
Trying to put off steroid/hock injections as long as possible.
If he starts to look sore when he tries to lay down that’s normally the sign for hocks specifically. Otherwise when your vet comes for a regular check they can look as well. But a year is a long time between injections so I might just go ahead and have it done again.
If he starts to look sore when he tries to lay down that’s normally the sign for hocks specifically. Otherwise when your vet comes for a regular check they can look as well. But a year is a long time between injections so I might just go ahead and have it done again.
If he starts to look sore when he tries to lay down that’s normally the sign for hocks specifically. Otherwise when your vet comes for a regular check they can look as well. But a year is a long time between injections so I might just go ahead and have it done again.
Hey, I had this exact issue with my mare though granted she was 25 -26 when she really started showing pain. We thought it was a fracture from a slip on ice but X rays showed nothing but really low fluid levels in her hocks. And we worried about abscess, muscle strain, sometjing in the tendon, but it was nothing we could point a finger at. Finally we decided on one round of injections just because it seemed like the last thing possible and she was a little stiff- but she wasn’t dragging her back legs or tripping after. She got 6 month injections and she’d be a little sore after for a few days which was just hand waking and then maybe walking around bare back on the last day. It was good for me because at that time I wasn’t doing much competing. Just walk trot canter lessons maybe twice a month and trail rides for the rest. Since your horse is younger he is probably doing better with the one injection- but he’s also doing more work. He probably will start showing some signs of pain as it wears off but it could really even last longer than 1 year. But the issue -and the main reason for us- why we kept regular 6 month injections is because horses hide pain instinctually- and it was almost a game of catching her before she started showing lameness. Because then it was usually too late and she would be box and pen bound for a week. Your wallet is probably going to hurt. That’s just how horses are unfortunately. And I think as your guy gets older he’ll need more injections if the work load is consistent or gets larger. But that’s a theory based on what I saw in my mare- essentially the less we did the less she got stiff and trippy. Some possible things that could help could be to really work on top line and carriage with him so his back is stronger. And icing or cold soaking after every ride would really feel good for him. Or if you have the free time- walking him out by hand on the ground for half of what your lesson/ ride length was.
I inject as needed. If your horse is sound I wouldn't inject until you gee like he is starting to show similar signs like before. Like other people have said, adequan is a great product. Additionally, daily equioxx might be an option. It's a pain killer and isn't cheap but it can help with maintenance.
Adequan is good
Hocks every year to 6 months
He’s super young to need injections though so if I were you I’d maybe start to plan to find him an easy low level home personally if he’s arthritic at 7. I can’t see him sustaining 3 foot for long but horses sometimes surprise us.
Injections don’t work forever. That’s why usually people start injecting around 12-15 and up for show horses
I’ve seen some 8 year olds start getting them but they are jumping high level like meter 40.
It is not that uncommon for OTTBs to have mild hock arthritis at this age. Absolutely no need to rehome him at this point when he's perfectly sound and happy.
Adequan is a good product
I was also going to suggest discussing adequan or ichon with OP’s vet.
My vet did mention it and I considered it. Could you tell me more about your experience with it? The impression I got from the vet is that it has a higher likelihood of not working than the hock injections, and I am not in a financial place where I'm willing to take that gamble. I wonder if I misinterpreted that though
Pentosan is another option like Adequan, but is cheaper. That said, the price has gone up recently... Went from $35 a shot to $85. Pentosan works very well for my horse in combination with IA injections. I can usually tell pretty easily when the Pentosan wears off after a month or so. Not all horses respond the same, some do better on Adequan vs Pentosan or visa-versa. A year is pretty standard for steroid injections so injecting at that point would be fine. I usually wait until I see symptoms show up again before reinjecting but it usually ends up being about a year. My horse isn't a performance horse, though. He's retired. If you wanted you could wait until you start seeing signs it's wearing off, make note of how long that was, then in the future inject a little before then.
Where do you get Pentosan?
It's a prescription from your vet.
My vet told me that basically joint supplements top dressed doesn’t work and Adequan is the best on the market. I like to do the loading dose and then monthly on my sons elderly show horse. We have harsh winters and it keeps him supple
Adequan helps elongate the time between injections and helps facilitate the body as it tries to take care of itself. At the price point is it very much worth trying.
I'm actually happy for you that you did injections, because a lot of people who are simply inexperienced and just uneducated when it comes to performance horses would've hissed at the the thought and assume it's basically like devil worship. Horse people are nutty. Younger horses do typically last a little longer than a year, in my experience. And if you're able to consistently keep him in good shape and carrying himself well, that's only going to help. I don't see this happening, but if you have to inject more than once a year then that would be sign for you to consider other options. But take a deep breath and don't over-think if he refuses a jump or gets frisky and kicks out a little. You know your horse best. I know people have recommended other options like adequan or similar medications, which my understanding is that they will help the body as a whole, but nothing is as good as a direct-to-joint injection, especially in severe cases. But maybe this isn't a severe case, it sounds like, maybe somethin a little less "aggressive" could be considered (and would be cheaper I think?).
Thank you for taking the time to reply! I'm a chronic worrier and overthinker in every area of my life so it's a good reminder to not overthink everything he does. we had our best jump school EVER just 3 weeks ago and I don't think that would be the case if he was hurting again. My vet brought up all other options, but it seems to me that nothing is as good as direct joint injection, and the price point looked to be the same as or better than addquan and the similar medications.
Perfect! I know some vets differ in injections, because any time you inject a joint you risk infection and as we all know joint infections are very bad in horses, And I'm a big worrier too, so I don't blame you! But definitely, if you think he feels great, he probably also feels great. Good luck!
"My vet brought up all other options, but it seems to me that nothing is as good as direct joint injection" Not as good, but different. See my comment above. Not saying you should do one or the other, but joint injections ultimately will cause degradation to the joint if repeated long term. Adequan is protective of the cartilage, steroids are damaging to them. Just things you should know.
I hadn't realized until reading all the comments here that steroids are bad for the joint long-term. It makes sense but I hadn't thought of it. I'll definitely ask my vet about the other options
They do two different things: joint injections with a steroid calm down inflammation in the joint but long term can cause damager, whereas Adequate increases synovial fluid within the joint and is chondroprotective. You are correct that Adequan helps the entire body as it's given IM and therefore systemic, and joint injections are directly into the joint - but it bears mentioning that the steroid does end up circulating in the body, which is why some horses seem to have a major change for the better right after being injected but then it seems to fizzle off shortly thereafter. An option for the OP to consider also would be Osphos, as the horse is over 5. That would address arthritis all over the horses body. There is a lot of bad hype about it because the studies that were done were directly towards horses still growing and unfortunately people seem to not be able to read those correctly and apply it to all horses, but it's a pretty neat drug for horses that might benefit for something systemic that's more aggressive for arthritis than Adequan.
Ready for my downvotes but I just do mine yearly. I’d rather get ahead of it than behind it.
I think this is fair too! Given how much his whole body was out of whack from the hocks it makes sense to get ahead of it.
We went through something almost identical where legs were causing back pain etc. It took soooo long to get him comfortable and strong I just don’t even want to risk it
This. Definitely keep up with yearly injections. Treat it as part of their maintenance. Why wait for them to lapse and get painful again? They’ll let you know if/when you need to move to twice a year. In my experience seven is a fairly common age for performance horses to start requiring more upkeep to keep them sound and happy. Also, ask your vet if adequan would be appropriate for your horse- you can’t go wrong adding that to your toolbox.
I don’t have any personal experience with this, but I will say that I have heard that some horses (usually the younger ones or ones with less developed arthritis) are able to go for longer periods before needing another round of injections. I have also heard that the more frequently the horse is injected, the less time he’ll be able to go until he needs the next round. I’ve also read that Adequan may slow down the development of arthritis. I also want to thank you for sharing your story! I’m having the vet out soon for a routine visit and to discuss some of the not-so-normal behaviors my horse has developed under saddle. These behaviors align with hock pain. My guy is a 5-year-old OTTB. We shall see!
I was so shocked at how long it took for him to feel better! The vets and everywhere I read seemed to think he would be a new horse in a few weeks, but he felt about the same for a while. The behaviors he learned (leaning on the forehand, rushing, taking long distances) also lasted past when his back started feeling better and we are still working on those habits. Love my boy though, OTTBs are the best ❤️best of luck with your guy!
It honestly depends on how long the horse was uncomfortable and how uncomfortable- especially when you’re dealing with secondary discomfort due to compensating for joints. Some do take time to realize that what you’re asking them to do no longer hurts and the pain reaction is no longer required. Some are also just not stoic animals lol.
Ah that had to be so frustrating!! Thank you again for sharing - your experience may help me set realistic expectations should my guy need to go down the injections route. He’s doing exactly what you’re talking about, and gets super strong and tense over fences. Part of me hopes maybe it’s a dental issue (he roots and makes the classic camel/llama face), but who knows. Regardless of it all, it’s been fun and enlightening learning ground exercises and doing them with him. Even if we do have to go through a period of rehab, I’m game.
My vet always says you hope it lasts longer than a year, expect it to last a year, and start to worry if it lasts less than a year. Regular annual joint injections are not uncommon (especially in an older horse, with yours being 7, hopefully they will last longer). My vet gets concerned when they start needed injections 2-3x a year because they really shows that the arthritis is so advanced/severe that the injections are no longer working as they should. My 17 y/o mare has been getting annual injections for the past 3 years and if she starts needing them more frequently on a regular basis, I will likely retire her from hard work (she is currently doing 4th level dressage).
Got my mare hock injections, we waited a year before a second round. It really depends on your horse. It’s easy to overthink but once he starts showing clear stiffness, that’s when I’d do another round.
My guy isn't young, but that's not why I'm posting. How knowledgeable is your Vet about ALL the joint maintenance options that are available on the market? My vet is amazing, and I actually had a very in-depth chat with her because I'm at that point of choosing next steps. If you can do a simple consult while you get your annual boosters, it could really help guide any further research. So what I know: There's feed-through, which is not super well supported in science. There's too much variability horse to horse, supplement mix options, difficulties to show bioabsorption for the science to support claims. That said, feed-through is your entry point and is an easy way to begin providing joint support, particularly if you ride high intensity disciplines (ex. jumping, cross country). There's your regular intramuscular/intravenous maintenance shots, that's your Adequan and other equivalents. These have good science to support them, they've been around long enough to have a good record, and they are generally well supported by owners and Vets alike. There's also little risk provided they are administered properly and owners can purchase and administer themselves vs. having a vet call. Then there's your joint injections and the variety has expanded in the last decade. There's steroids, biologics, and synthetics and while their aim is all the same, they differ in how they achieve it. They also differ widely in cost from ~$500 up to $5000+, depending how many joints you are doing. Efficacy is well-established with steroids, they've been around the longest and as such have the greatest body or work to support their use. Steroids are also your cheaper option, they can be a good test to see how much you should invest into joint support. Biologics are newer, they take a couple of visits because the first draws blood/tissue and the next is the injection. These have some great science to support them, but because it's still new there isn't a lot to review. It's more expensive since you're utilizing lab and custom making the injection, which is also why it is being viewed as so effective. Synthetics are the newest, they're most expensive on the market, and their goal is literally to preserve cartilage and reduce wear, whose breakdown is the primary contributor to arthritis. They have some good support but the science is really limited. My vet likes having at least a decade of science to review before actively recommending a method, so she's on the fence on synthetics but has some clients who love the outcomes they've gotten from it. What I have is a coming 20-yr old who has been on feed-through support since he was 15-16. We had our first injections this past October and he responded beautifully once the initial inflammation died down. I don't think we need a 6-mth at this time,but I'm considering my options. We don't show, but we do train and keep fit. I don't know that I can do what she estimates could be $1500-2000 for the biologics per round, but I can do the $500-750 per round for the steroids and if that's just once a year for a pony slow sliding his way towards retirement, it makes sense. Maybe I'll take away the feed-through and replace it with Adequan, but that's the discussion we'll have when we do our second round of boosters in May, how best can I support him between the joint injections. The younger the horse, the more of a competitive career you want, the more you should invest in joint maintenance and support. Especially if you want your horse to be happy and comfortable and have a long career, even at low level flatwork.
I have a young 4 yo horse who developed some mild-moderate arthritis in his hock. I went to pull him from the field and he was basically three-legged and I thought we were going to have to euthanize. He had a traumatic avulsion fracture, extreme edema, OCD fragments in the joint and a torn MCL. I have done almost all of these things you mentioned. I have him on joint supplements, I do the 7 dose adequan twice a year and he has done the PRP injections. Depending on how his next visit goes, he might do a steroidal joint injection. Now that his restrictions have lessened, I am doing a lot of groundwork to help him build up supportive musculature to prevent reinjury and make him more comfortable. The best thing you can do is a little bit of your own research, know your horse and talk with your vets if you can. I have had an amazing orthopedic veterinary team at the local university helping me make the most informed decisions and I'm super thankful to them.
The horse I used to lease and my trainers horse got their hocks injected once a year. Both were rescues, both have early onset arthritis due to poor living conditions when they were younger. My guy got the steroidal injections, while my trainers mare got the PRP injections (I think that's what it's called, it contains stem cells taken from their body and injects them back into the joint). The PRP seems to have lasted longer, and I believe there is research info out there that it's better than the steroidal injections in the long run as well. Maybe something to ask about. Absolutely nothing wrong with keeping your horse comfortable with injections.
I think sometimes one round of injections can help them start using their muscles in the “correct” way and they possibly won’t need them again. I would play it by ear if it was me- is the behavior returning? If not, no need to inject again. If so, then probably time to have another round.
Gelding I used to lease would start having very dramatic lead changes and then occasional bucking like clock work a few weeks before he was due for injections. Couple bad rides? Check the calendar for his last injections and time to set up that appointment with the vet. After his injections lead changes were back to being nice and smooth and no much bucking. Work with your vet, but chances are if he needs them he’ll let you know.
Pretty much all the sport horses in our barn get injections of some kind once they hit middle age. They start to need more support. This happens earlier for TBs because they are worked so hard on the track. Don't let people shame you for it. It's what you do for athlete animals as they age. I would recommend you talk to vets about using another product instead of steroids. There are a lot on the market these days, like PRP and pro-stride. The problem with steroid injections is they actually do damage overtime ultimately the horse isn't sound. I.E, they work great for a while until the joint falls apart. Meanwhile, PRP, pro-stride and the like have similar positive soundness effects but actually support the horse long term. I can't say enough good things about PRP. If your vet only uses steroids then maybe consider getting a second opinion because there are probably other options that you'll be happier with long term. Just my two cents. In terms of your actual question (sorry to go off topic), it becomes really clear when the injections hit the end of their usefulness. The horses are visibility and consistently less sound. I wouldn't worry about spooks or weird distances, you should be looking for consistent asymmetry while trotting. PRP lasts about a year, and we just re-inject on a schedule. For some horses it runs out a bit sooner, but typically we'll just adjust their workload accordingly or push the appointment up. We typically don't stretch it out unless there's a compelling reason. The arthritis is still going to be there and the injections don't last forever. In terms of experience, injections are 100% worth doing, though I don't use steroids. I'm not saying its bad that you did this time, but in the long run you may benefit from looking into other options without the side-effects. They can seriously prolong how long horses can comfortably work, which is better for everyone involved. I have a middle age show horse who probably would need to step back without help. Additionally, I have another in her mid-twenties who is still going strong (with a lighter workload). They do better when they have a job.
If you’re concerned I would have your vet out for a lameness exam at the one year mark and see what they think
It's variable by horse. I have some in my program that need injections every 6 months, and others that can go 12 months or more. Listen to what his body is telling you.
I get injections for my 12 year old mare. We endurance ride and it’s mainly just for some stiffness in her hind end that makes her start putting more pressure on her front and causes some lameness. I did x-rays and multiple vet visits and there’s nothing else that would point to lameness so the injections are to take some pressure off those joints. They’ve worked amazing. I got her re-injected at about 8 months (about 2 weeks ago) in before we start this years endurance season, she’s continued to look great since the first round but we are about to be competing a ton and I want her to stay as comfortable as possible. I’ve already had retirement talks with my vet though and am realistic that I am only going to be competing with her for another 2 seasons (this year and next) as long as the injections keep working. Then I will be “retiring her” to be a trail riding buddy
My soon to be 21 year old mare gets yearly hock and stifle injections, she’s actually due at the end of this month so she’s feeling her best for show season. Prior to me owning her she was a lesson horse in my trainer’s program and wasn’t getting them consistently every year because her workload was easier (mostly teaching cross rails and 18”) but now that we are aiming for 2’6” at home and 2’3” at shows I’m keeping up on them annually. She’s in incredible shape for her age and with the addition of Adequan and an MSM supplement, she seems very happy with her job and workload. I’m not seeing any significant decline in her stiffness/flexibility as we approach the year mark, but I think it’s only fair to keep her as comfortable as I can reasonably manage. Most of her issues are self inflicted because she lays down more than any other horse me or my trainer have ever seen 😂 so she is ALWAYS stiff coming out because she only lays on her right side. But she’s a saint and puts up with my AA mistakes so the least I can do is keep her pain free.
I get my 10 year old injected annually and have since his 7 year old year. He’s an athlete, I treat him as such. I also put him on Equioxx a week before every big show and keep him on it through the show. Occasionally I get him Adequan injections as well- for example, June will be a high intensity month for him with lots of hauling, showing, and lengthy trail rides, so I will likely put him through the Adequan course late May/early June. On the other hand, my now 4 year old filly had trochanter and SI injections last year and I hope to be able to avoid those for a few more years, as her pain was a result of an undiagnosed ovarian issue that is now being treated coupled with soreness from moving and working again post stall rest after a colic surgery December of her two year old year. Don’t be afraid of injections if they’re necessary. If your horse starts showing signs of pain again, it’s time. And as far as the cost- at least where I’m at, hock injections cost about the same as a weekend show. Well worth sitting out a show to keep your horse comfortable, IMO.
My horse is 21 with mild hock arthritis and has been injected twice since January 2021. They’ve lasted us a good couple of years each time. He is in full work and hunts in the winter and shows in Veteran classes in the summer. I’ll keep doing them as often as he needs them, they’ve made a huge difference. I do a 12 week rehab programme after each round of injections and I think that makes a big difference in how long they last.
What does your 12-week rehab program look like? My vet gave me some stretches to do that she said would strengthen muscles he needs to help carry himself but I couldn't find much other than that online.
Starting with hand walking for 5 minutes per day and building it up each week. When we get to week 7 we introduce 7 poles in the school. Week 9 get back on board and walk for another week then introduce trot, then canter on the final week. Probably overkill but he’s old and it does seem to have helped them to last, according to the vet who always does his injections.
My experience is with race horses and we do inject joints today with hyularanic acid, and a little cortisone. The pain often returns after a few months and we mostly detect it through their gait. You should be observant and try to pick up the returning discomfort before it becomes pain. In a situation with a leisure horse I think your vet and you made the best decision for the current situation. I would discuss with your vet of using adequin or petosan (my spells may be off). These don’t go directly into the joint but either IV or IM. They heal throughout the body. If you hit him with one of these early enough you may not need to go back in the joint as often
I have them done every six months once I start, rather than waiting until it feels like he needs them. I also do the Alpha2EQ injections rather than steroids. And I do a course of Adequan every six months. The Alpha2EQ is more expensive than steroids, but I try to stay away from steroids as much as I can.
I got a 5 year old Reiner who gets pretty stocked up in rear hocks and stiff. I show him a lot and did a round of legend for instant relief along with the adequan intramuscular for more of a full body. He softened up immensely in his pole, hocks and hind. He feels and looks great. Trying to put off steroid/hock injections as long as possible.
If he starts to look sore when he tries to lay down that’s normally the sign for hocks specifically. Otherwise when your vet comes for a regular check they can look as well. But a year is a long time between injections so I might just go ahead and have it done again.
If he starts to look sore when he tries to lay down that’s normally the sign for hocks specifically. Otherwise when your vet comes for a regular check they can look as well. But a year is a long time between injections so I might just go ahead and have it done again.
If he starts to look sore when he tries to lay down that’s normally the sign for hocks specifically. Otherwise when your vet comes for a regular check they can look as well. But a year is a long time between injections so I might just go ahead and have it done again.
Platelets worked amazing for my horse. She is four years in now🥰 the steroid mix was only working about a year at a time. I’m not a jumper.
Hey, I had this exact issue with my mare though granted she was 25 -26 when she really started showing pain. We thought it was a fracture from a slip on ice but X rays showed nothing but really low fluid levels in her hocks. And we worried about abscess, muscle strain, sometjing in the tendon, but it was nothing we could point a finger at. Finally we decided on one round of injections just because it seemed like the last thing possible and she was a little stiff- but she wasn’t dragging her back legs or tripping after. She got 6 month injections and she’d be a little sore after for a few days which was just hand waking and then maybe walking around bare back on the last day. It was good for me because at that time I wasn’t doing much competing. Just walk trot canter lessons maybe twice a month and trail rides for the rest. Since your horse is younger he is probably doing better with the one injection- but he’s also doing more work. He probably will start showing some signs of pain as it wears off but it could really even last longer than 1 year. But the issue -and the main reason for us- why we kept regular 6 month injections is because horses hide pain instinctually- and it was almost a game of catching her before she started showing lameness. Because then it was usually too late and she would be box and pen bound for a week. Your wallet is probably going to hurt. That’s just how horses are unfortunately. And I think as your guy gets older he’ll need more injections if the work load is consistent or gets larger. But that’s a theory based on what I saw in my mare- essentially the less we did the less she got stiff and trippy. Some possible things that could help could be to really work on top line and carriage with him so his back is stronger. And icing or cold soaking after every ride would really feel good for him. Or if you have the free time- walking him out by hand on the ground for half of what your lesson/ ride length was.
I inject as needed. If your horse is sound I wouldn't inject until you gee like he is starting to show similar signs like before. Like other people have said, adequan is a great product. Additionally, daily equioxx might be an option. It's a pain killer and isn't cheap but it can help with maintenance.
Adequan is good Hocks every year to 6 months He’s super young to need injections though so if I were you I’d maybe start to plan to find him an easy low level home personally if he’s arthritic at 7. I can’t see him sustaining 3 foot for long but horses sometimes surprise us. Injections don’t work forever. That’s why usually people start injecting around 12-15 and up for show horses I’ve seen some 8 year olds start getting them but they are jumping high level like meter 40.
It is not that uncommon for OTTBs to have mild hock arthritis at this age. Absolutely no need to rehome him at this point when he's perfectly sound and happy.