May trade for a new horse thoughts please?

[babyblue]

Quote:
randomly wondering then. been told for years by several vets that my old qh has arthritis. however the only time it is ever ever apparent is when hes been cooped up because of miserable deep snow/ice storms. he walks out stiff and cranky as a wet cat but with slow progressive work hes is fine. the more work and the harder work this horse gets the better and better he looks. since moving him home and no longer boarding him (more turnout time) I actually haven't seen him get stiff or weird in years and he will be 21 soon. does that sound like true arthritis or is he just old and can stand being stiff?

 

[michickenwrangler]

Sounds like arthritis. Light to moderate exercise often improves it. Keeps the joints lubed up.

 

[welsummerchicks]

He's old, he's stiff when he's cooped up - it's most likely arthritis. It could be a lot of things, but arthritis is a likely culprit.

I have arthritis too. Exercise helps me. But like most old timers I'm still limited as to what TYPE of exercise and how hard. I walk instead of run these days. I ride two miles on the bike instead of 75. If I do nothing for a month, starting back up is agonizing. If I do a little each day it's much better.

Most of the old horses I see that have a mild arthritis in several spots, are helped by 'exercise'. The key is what kind of 'exercise'. Every horse is a little different. If after 10 classes at a saddle club show a day, they're lame and crabby, that's too much. On the other hand, a ride of 10 or 15 minutes every day, a little walk trot canter, no tight turns, no real hard work, on good footing, they're fine, then that's what they should be doing. Walking trail ride for 30 minutes on mostly level ground is ok? Maybe 6 hours on rough terrain with deep footing will not be.

Galloping and jumping, spinning, sliding...usually? Not so fine.

This isn't to say riding once once a month for a few hours is 'kinder' to the old timer. It's not like that. Old timers need to be kept in shape just like any horse. Being in a steady program is good, but it has to be tailor made to them.

Many go through stages too. For a while they are fine at one level, then after a while, need to be moved to their next level.

The levels might be like this:

first level - 'actively training'. progressing in their training, doing harder longer over time (usually out for most oldsters)

second level - 'maintaining'. staying at the same level of work they've done in the past.

third level - 'lighter work'. doing the work they've done in the past, but with out the intensity - less speed, fewer repetitions, less time in the saddle.

fourth level - 'easy work'. leave out any 'specialty work' like jumping, spnning, sliding, tight turns, but continue walk, trot, canter, large circles

fifth level - 'half retirement'. light slow ride 4 times a week. Mostly walking.

sixth level - 'full retirement'. pasturing or stall and paddock turnout on even, level ground, in a non stressful situation (no youngsters or active young horses to harrass or chase the old timer).

It's all a matter of using common sense. Exercise does help arthritis. The question is what is fair to the individual animal at a given point in their life.

 

[Hound]

Quote:
randomly wondering then. been told for years by several vets that my old qh has arthritis. however the only time it is ever ever apparent is when hes been cooped up because of miserable deep snow/ice storms. he walks out stiff and cranky as a wet cat but with slow progressive work hes is fine. the more work and the harder work this horse gets the better and better he looks. since moving him home and no longer boarding him (more turnout time) I actually haven't seen him get stiff or weird in years and he will be 21 soon. does that sound like true arthritis or is he just old and can stand being stiff?

Standing still isn't good for any old horse (or animal, or humans for that matter). Our ranch horses live to a ripe old age because they live in a large pasture and have to exercise to graze and drink. If they were kept in stalls they would soon become stiff. Also they lose muscle tone and strength if confined, which is very hard for an old animal to rebuild.

 

[welsummerchicks]

Some pastured horses get arthritis, some do not. There are no guarantees.

Certainly, walking around a field will keep an animal more limber, but it isn't going to make a disease process stop.

 

[Hound]

I'm sorry if my post was unclear. Pasturing a horse will not prevent it from getting arthritis. It will however keep an arthritic horse more mobile/comfortable.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Hey girl - Here is a horse listed on Craigslist in my area I thought you may be interested in.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/grd/2045306895.html

Well-trained registered Appaloosa gelding, ready for the trail!! - $700 (Chehalis)

-Joe' is a registerd 15 y/o appaloosa gelding. Approx.15.3 hh. He is well-trained and very responsive. He loads perfectly. Extremely well-mannered on the ground. He is easy to catch, simple to tack up, mount and ride. He is very willing and WANTS to be ridden. Gorgeous mover with long, strong legs and longer body. Very nice horse, ready to load up and go on the trails! Good home only, site check, signed /notarized adoption contract and vet references required. Includes his papers.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Worth looking into. The fact that the person is checking for references and a home site inspection means the owner is not simply looking to UNLOAD the horse.

 

[EweSheep]

Now that would be something to look at!

 

[welsummerchicks]

......(double take)....Ooohhhh......Really nice job Sweet.

The photo is a little too blurry to look for any detail on the legs, but I gotta say from what I can see, that is one nice looking horse. Fifteen years old, too and a good height fr the OP. The key would just be finding out if he really is well trained...and if he's quiet enough. Looks sturdy and strong, yet has some style.

I REALLY like that they want to make sure someone treats him right. That generally means the horse got some good care.