Lameness

Supplement Time Limit?

Just read a blog from early September regarding a suspensory ligament injury, as my mare is going through the same thing. We did stall rest with slowly increasing hand walking, icing, wrapping, anti-inflammatories, & Q 6 wk ultrasounds. I put her on SmartTendon, but now just switched her to SmartFlex Rehab as it contains more of the important joint ingredients. My question is: Is there a time limit recommended for a horse to be on this particular supplement?

November 29, 2011 Ask the Vet, Lameness 4 Comments

Soft Tissue Recovery

My OTTB was recently diagnosed with a pulled suspensory ligament in one of his front legs (we think he hurt himself during turnout). My vet said to expect that he’ll be out of work for at least 6 months. What would you recommend I do to help his healing process? I’ve been reading about your [...]

September 6, 2011 Ask the Vet, Lameness 1 Comment

Support for Equine Ligament Injury

I rescued a horse about one month ago, later to find that he has a degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis injury from racing. Is there anything I can do for this horse so that he can be started back in light riding in approximately six to 10 months?

January 4, 2011 Ask the Vet, Lameness 3 Comments

Joint Supplements and the Benefits of MSM

I am so confused about joint supplements. I have a 3 yr old in training and I want to give him supplements for maintenance while he is being ridden every day. If he develops a problem, is the MSM going to help? Is it good for them to get MSM every day? He is currently [...]

June 25, 2010 Ask the Vet, Lameness 6 Comments

What are the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin?

I have a 13-year-old warmblood gelding. We compete on a regular basis in the adult equitation and hunters and I’ve been thinking of adding a joint supplement to his nutrition program. What are the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin?

May 24, 2010 Ask the Vet, Lameness, SmartPak Features 3 Comments

Hock Swelling – Thoroughpin or Something More Serious?

I have a 3 yr old mare that has developed a swollen hock on the right back leg. She is not lame, there is no heat, and there is swelling in the hock. The swelling is soft and feels like there is fluid. It seems to me that if it were bone or tendon issues [...]

January 22, 2010 Ask the Vet, Lameness 5 Comments

Kissing Spines

My 7 year old Thoroughbred eventer was recently diagnosed with “kissing spines” in the area under the saddle. What causes kissing spines? How common is it? Does it affect certain breeds or horses that are doing certain disciplines more than others? What can I do to prevent it from getting worse? Are there any supplements [...]

November 5, 2009 Diseases and Conditions, Lameness 0 Comments

Oral Hyaluronic Acid

Is there any evidence that hyluronic acid is effective orally. I presently have my horses on legend. FYI I’m a medical doctor. EC, Vermont Dear EC, The short answer is “yes.” The paper entitled “Serum Hyaluronic Acid Levels in the Horse after Oral and Intravenous Administration” by Scott W. Pierce, DVM, that demonstrates this. Here’s [...]

October 15, 2009 Lameness 0 Comments

Epiphysitis

Four month old filly has developed epiphysitis. Fitting her up for a fall futurity and she has developed two epiphysitis bumps on her front ankle. Getting tender. Taken the second crop hay away and reduced the grain intake. Her show is in five days, what are your suggestions? SW, Wisconsin Dear SW, I went ahead [...]

September 23, 2009 Diseases and Conditions, Lameness 0 Comments

Choosing the Right Joint Supplement

I have been using vita flex, flex free maximum strength joint support formula for over 15 years on my dogs, which has worked wonderfully. I cannot seem to find it anymore, do you have any other suggestions? JP, Wyoming Dear JP, We carry Vita-Flex Flex Free® Maximum Strength Formula on our equine side—is that what [...]

July 30, 2009 Ask the Vet, Canine, Lameness 1 Comment