outrundaizy - 2015-10-19 1:15 PM

 So I know there are some people out there who simply won't inject their horses.. I'm curious, say you have a horse that is blowing off barrels, you take it to the vet, vet says horse needs hocks injected, xrays show signs of arthritis. You take the horse to 2 other vets both with the same outcome. How do you treat this? What are things you do without injections?

cheryl makofka - 2015-10-19 6:33 PM Why would you want to go against 3 vets opinion? Problem with everything, is you only mask the issue, previcoxx, I was reading in a pharmacology text, (got a new one cause I am a nerd) it says at higher doses previcoxx will inhibit both cox 1 and 2 therefore causing ulcers. The text said any NSAID at high doses will inhibit both cox 1-2 and cause ulcers. We are talking the high dose of normal, not insanely high. Hocks, I actually don't inject, I fuse by surgical laser, then I never have to think of them again, I believe dr Honas does them for 2500, and he is the coauthor/researcher for the surgical laser fusion, so he would be the best in the states.

Nevertooold - 2015-10-19 8:10 PM I'm not against injections when they are needed. I'm against people giving their horses injections with out making sure what the problem is.



I had a horse blowing off of barrels and what he needed was an adjustment and massage body work.



Drives me nuts when people are injecting joints and calling it maintenance on young horses. JMO



I do know from personal experience, how well the joint injections can relive pain.



 

Bibliafarm - 2015-10-19 8:17 PM   ditto

cheryl makofka - 2015-10-19 6:33 PM


Why would you want to go against 3 vets opinion?

Problem with everything, is you only mask the issue, previcoxx, I was reading in a pharmacology text, (got a new one cause I am a nerd) it says at higher doses previcoxx will inhibit both cox 1 and 2 therefore causing ulcers. The text said any NSAID at high doses will inhibit both cox 1-2 and cause ulcers. We are talking the high dose of normal, not insanely high.

Hocks, I actually don't inject, I fuse by surgical laser, then I never have to think of them again, I believe dr Honas does them for 2500, and he is the coauthor/researcher for the surgical laser fusion, so he would be the best in the states.

outrundaizy - 2015-10-19 8:53 PM


Im just being hypothetical. If that was my case I would inject.

I just know there are people out there who simply refuse to inject for whatever reason and I was just curious how they handled a situation like that. 

cheryl makofka - 2015-10-19 6:33 PM


Why would you want to go against 3 vets opinion?

Problem with everything, is you only mask the issue, previcoxx, I was reading in a pharmacology text, (got a new one cause I am a nerd) it says at higher doses previcoxx will inhibit both cox 1 and 2 therefore causing ulcers. The text said any NSAID at high doses will inhibit both cox 1-2 and cause ulcers. We are talking the high dose of normal, not insanely high.

Hocks, I actually don't inject, I fuse by surgical laser, then I never have to think of them again, I believe dr Honas does them for 2500, and he is the coauthor/researcher for the surgical laser fusion, so he would be the best in the states.

RnRJack - 2015-10-20 12:04 PM

I have tennis elbow, excruciating tendon pain in my arm and elbow. I do hair all day and come home and clean stalls, cleaning stalls is excruciating BUT I have to do it, just like sore hocks are excruciating, the horse with a big heart HAs to do it. I bear through the pain to get my job done, and so do our horses.

The moral of this story is, I'm going to get a shot of cortisone later this week so I can do my job and not feel any pain.

RnRJack - 2015-10-20 12:04 PM

I have tennis elbow, excruciating tendon pain in my arm and elbow. I do hair all day and come home and clean stalls, cleaning stalls is excruciating BUT I have to do it, just like sore hocks are excruciating, the horse with a big heart HAs to do it. I bear through the pain to get my job done, and so do our horses.

The moral of this story is, I'm going to get a shot of cortisone later this week so I can do my job and not feel any pain.

classicpotatochip - 2015-10-19 9:00 PM


Dr Honnas doesn't do them. He refers them to Dr Hague in Edmond, Ok. I am currently 14 months out and waiting for soundness to return to one that I had fused. I don't regret doing it, I didn't have a horse either way, and he should eventually come sound again. Hypothetically and optimistically, best case scenario. But it isn't always a peaches and cream surgery. Everyone needs to go into that with their eyes open, for sure.

grinandbareit - 2015-10-20 8:19 PM



I understand that we have to work to make a living... But if you had an opportunity to rest and rehab that injury, it can heal. Unfortunately, that may not be an option for you.

Back to the original question...

Our horses can benefit a great deal from some down time and rehab. I've often wondered why people take a horse that is sore, go to the vet and spend $500.00+ on x-rays and injections so that they can go to the $35.00 jackpot and win $150.00. That just doesn't make much sense to me.

I'm all about preventative medicine. I will spend extra on things to keep my horses fit and feeling good before I would consider injections. I haven't needed to inject a horse in 15 years and I've not had any issues, knock on wood. I'm certainly not against injections to manage an issue that can't be treated with time off and some rehab, but I believe that injections are far too common these days. They are treated as a cure-all by lots of folks. Vets do them because WE want SOMETHING done. A quick fix so to speak. Problem is... they aren't curing the problem, simply masking it.

Bibliafarm - 2015-10-19 8:17 PM


  ditto

grinandbareit - 2015-10-20 8:19 PM



I understand that we have to work to make a living... But if you had an opportunity to rest and rehab that injury, it can heal. Unfortunately, that may not be an option for you.

Back to the original question...

Our horses can benefit a great deal from some down time and rehab. I've often wondered why people take a horse that is sore, go to the vet and spend $500.00+ on x-rays and injections so that they can go to the $35.00 jackpot and win $150.00. That just doesn't make much sense to me.

I'm all about preventative medicine. I will spend extra on things to keep my horses fit and feeling good before I would consider injections. I haven't needed to inject a horse in 15 years and I've not had any issues, knock on wood. I'm certainly not against injections to manage an issue that can't be treated with time off and some rehab, but I believe that injections are far too common these days. They are treated as a cure-all by lots of folks. Vets do them because WE want SOMETHING done. A quick fix so to speak. Problem is... they aren't curing the problem, simply masking it.

grinandbareit - 2015-10-20 9:19 PM I understand that we have to work to make a living... But if you had an opportunity to rest and rehab that injury, it can heal. Unfortunately, that may not be an option for you. Back to the original question... Our horses can benefit a great deal from some down time and rehab. I've often wondered why people take a horse that is sore, go to the vet and spend $500.00+ on x-rays and injections so that they can go to the $35.00 jackpot and win $150.00. That just doesn't make much sense to me. I'm all about preventative medicine. I will spend extra on things to keep my horses fit and feeling good before I would consider injections. I haven't needed to inject a horse in 15 years and I've not had any issues, knock on wood. I'm certainly not against injections to manage an issue that can't be treated with time off and some rehab, but I believe that injections are far too common these days. They are treated as a cure-all by lots of folks. Vets do them because WE want SOMETHING done. A quick fix so to speak. Problem is... they aren't curing the problem, simply masking it.

Longneck - 2015-10-21 9:00 AM

G&BI, do you do any type of preventative injections? Such as Adequan, Legend, NexHA, etc that aren't IA?

Just curious!

grinandbareit - 2015-10-21 12:01 PM I do give Adequan on a regular basis. Once a year, in the spring I will do a full series on both horses. I will give it weekly if I'm hauling pretty hard as well. If I am only going to the big stuff then I will give a shot 10 days out and again 3 days out. I also feed flax seed and oats with alfalfa hay and a probiotic. They really don't get anything in their diet that causes any inflammation because I don't feed any processed feed. Another thing that I think makes a HUGE difference is having them really fit. Making sure their topline and hips, hamstrings, etc. are strong. Much like us, when we build up that core it helps to take the strain off the joints. When we use the muscles correctly and keep them healthy it makes it easier on their body as a whole, and they work more efficiently, which shows up on the clock. I haven't always done things this way. Much of this I have learned the hard way. It's just like anything else, the more you learn the better you do, and the better you do, the more you want to learn. I will say this too... If my horses happen to get a little sore, I give them time off. I have found, in my experience, that a bit of time off is often the best medicine you can prescribe.

Speedy Buckeye Girl - 2015-10-21 8:31 AM


Totally agree with Grin and bare it...   My take is if rest and other alternatives do not yeild results then injections may be warranted.  But I will say that injections aren't always magical heal all solutions.  I had a hunter pony and we injected his hocks several times, honestly didn't make much of a difference.  I also know with myself that with my torn rotator cuff I didn't find any relief with the cortisone shots.  I think the first shot helped for about a week, the second didn't seem to help at all.  So I think it is relative to the person/horse as whether or not they respond.  With my shoulder I found a combo of time, PT, and basic pain management was the most helpful.  With the pony, we ended up giving him some much needed breaks and various supplements and therapies to assist.  He ended up having a long career but we had to manage it carefully as to not over-do-it with his schedule.

grinandbareit - 2015-10-21 11:01 AM



I do give Adequan on a regular basis. Once a year, in the spring I will do a full series on both horses. I will give it weekly if I'm hauling pretty hard as well. If I am only going to the big stuff then I will give a shot 10 days out and again 3 days out. I also feed flax seed and oats with alfalfa hay and a probiotic. They really don't get anything in their diet that causes any inflammation because I don't feed any processed feed.

Another thing that I think makes a HUGE difference is having them really fit. Making sure their topline and hips, hamstrings, etc. are strong. Much like us, when we build up that core it helps to take the strain off the joints. When we use the muscles correctly and keep them healthy it makes it easier on their body as a whole, and they work more efficiently, which shows up on the clock.

I haven't always done things this way. Much of this I have learned the hard way. It's just like anything else, the more you learn the better you do, and the better you do, the more you want to learn.

I will say this too... If my horses happen to get a little sore, I give them time off. I have found, in my experience, that a bit of time off is often the best medicine you can prescribe.

Bibliafarm - 2015-10-21 8:17 AM  I think People over inject anything they think is sore or needs it to mask issues.. as far as hocks fusing... I injected my boy about every 6 months hed be painfully sore in hocks after I did xrays and confirmed..my quarter horse..

with our jumpers and dressage horses its not as common.. I had only injected one gelding.. in all my years..kinda odd but we dont do it like barrel racers.. we do alot of other things but dont inject very often.. we train hard.. we use hind end.. we work them we give them time off if needed and do maintenance.. I am not sure why its so common  in the barrel racing industry..and areas  we would dont consider injecting  but we do accupuncture alot and laser therapy and other alternatives....time off if sore etc.....I realize differant work, differant muscles and the fast turns etc are hard but our jumpers do it but longer periods ..Im not saying negative just have always thought about that.. we do warm up differantly and for long periods,, conditioning is a huge key factor.. but I know alot of the BRs condition to ..just something I have always thought about..

cheryl makofka - 2015-10-20 11:05 PM Thanks I knew the name started with an H. I'm sorry you haven't got the soundness. Did they test for communication between the lower and upper joint, I can't remember the name. My vet was the lead author on the research, and he does this study before surgery, if they have communication, he will not do them. Also did you inject with cortisone, bethamethasolone, or depo before fusing? If you did there is a very small chance you will get the positive outcome. My vet won't fuse any horses who have been injected with the above, as the later research showed the bones don't fuse. This is why I don't inject, I will fuse. I have done 3 horses all with success. As others have said, i do major prevention now so I don't have to fuse or inject.

cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-10-21 1:49 PM I have noticed this too over the years. I rode with grand prix jumpers and dressage riders, top level hunters, all that and never heard of injections or half the therapies out there that are so common for barrel horses. Now I think it's great to do all you can for your horse, but my personal theory as to why it's not as common in the english world is starting the horses under saddle later and more focus on true engagement and straightness. Horses allowed to mature and using themselves properly aren't going to wear out their joints as fast. And I hate to say it but a lot of barrel racers I know don't focus on those things enough... 

RnRJack - 2015-10-21 10:47 PM I give adequen also to my horses that I'm hauling and running a lot, also omeprozol and aloe Vera juice as a preventative (stomach smoother) does anyone feed MSM anymore? I give my two running mares MSM still, it's kind of an old school supplement huh? I used a holistic vet that doesn't believe in it, can anyone tell me why?

outrundaizy - 2015-10-21 1:59 PM


Cheryl what age do you have your horses hocks fused? I would assume they have to be fully grown before fusing, but maybe not.

 

WrapSnap - 2015-10-21 11:11 PM I have to say, I feel as though many of the people who are saying that we don't see as many injections in the English disciplines were obviously not either in upper level programs, or "in the know" as to what was going on. There really isn't so much of a difference in the level and/or types of maintenance that the English horses get versus the barrel horses. If you have actual experience in both arenas, you'll get what I'm saying. You can go to any local, schooling type hunter show and watch a bunch of lesson horses packing a kid around the Short Stirrup Hunter class who's stifles are obviously shot. Maybe they have a bit of an uneven stride in the trot while hacking. Those same type horses are being loped through with little Susie at your local barrel race, being whipped on in an attempt to win the 4D in the Youth. The difference is that in the Hunter world, little Susie's trainers say nothing about the unsoundness, nor bring up joint injections. In the barrel racing world, little Susie's mom, who has never ridden a horse is her trainer and she is sitting on the fence screaming at Susie to whip harder. Susie's mom then gets on an online forum, maybe posts a video and 1,000 "internet vets" say they think that Susie's horse Spot looks very sore and that she should have his hocks checked. While Dressage horses are often dealt with quite differently, I can guarantee you that the top show Hunters, Jumpers and 3 Day Event horses become very good friends with their vets. Not only that, how many of you have ever been to say the Winter Equestrian Festival, in Wellington, FL. Take a walk through someone's barn (only if invited, of course) and take a peek in the feed room while you're at it. That big wipe board, that's the med list. I promise you that pretty much every horse in the barn is going to be on it. Those horses get more needles than most of the horses at the NFR. It only stands to reason. We'll say that while at a multi week show, a good Hunter is showing 3 or 4 days a week. That sucker is going to be on a longe line, cantering around for at least an hour and more likely two or three before each day of showing. That sort of wear and tear on one's body dictates that they are going to be sore. I can also tell you from personal experience that the 3 Day Event crowd are worse than barrel racers when it comes to injections. Those horses are truly the iron horses of Equestrian sport. Not only do they almost have to be a Dressage horse, they have to be adept at jumping a 1.20 meter show jump course and they have to be fit enough to gallop a cross country course, up and down terrain. Until recently, the Dressage phase of an Event was something that one "Must do in order to get to the fun part". Due to this, many riders never truly learned how to do it well. The horses were flatted in a very false manner, their heads pulled to their chests, completely lacking in engagement and very hollow through their spine. This led to the fact that many were having their SI injected. There was a time when in that world, you heard people telling others to get their horses SI done as frequently as we hear barrel racers discussing hocks. I do believe that too many people are not educated enough about joint injections. I also feel as though even fewer are properly educated about good quality leg care and conditioning. Why do leg work during the week to keep one sound when they can just go get their horse injected every six months? Most of those folks have no idea what their horse is being injected with, don't know what the joint looked like, nor know if the joint was dry, full of fluid, if the fluid was gritty/bloody. All they know is that their horse got his hocks done so he should win the barrel race this weekend. This again, I attribute to a lack of education. It scares me that even quite a few professionals, who are out winning big stuff, have no clue what to do for a horse beyond take it to the vet and say "It's not turning. Fix it!". All of this being said, I will be the first to inject one if they need it. I don't play games with my horse's joint health. If one tells me that they're having an issue, it gets addressed. If injecting it along with the other care that it receives is the best route to take at the time, that's what I'll do. If one really needs time off, I'll give them as much time as they need. I think that people overreact to young horses being injected . A lot of people tend to believe that once you inject, you will always have to inject. I feel that this was almost proven to be true for a long time. In my mind, the reason for that is because a horse with an issue would be left and run on that bad joint until it got to the point that it crippled up. The owner finally took it to the vet, the horse was injected, came sound and started performing again. Six months later, the horse started exhibiting signs of pain again. Back to the vet, new set of injections and viola! The thing that people must realize is that due to their negligence in not having addressed the issue sooner, irreparable damage was done. As a result, yes your horse does now require bi-annual injections. This is the fault of the negligent owner, not the injection.

RnRJack - 2015-10-22 1:24 AM I grew up in the English world, I had a trainer that would literally drug every horse that was somewhat hot when he had someone coming out to try them out for sale. I never said anything nor did I mention it to him as I hacked all his horses out and got free lessons for it. I knew it was wrong but I still kept my mouth shut. I have also seen barrel racers do it to "take the edge off". Problem is, when my old English trainer gave to much Ace to my best friends thoroughbred he just happened to pull his shoulder really bad that same day and had to take an 8 month break! Now whether the Ace aided in the injury or not I can say, either way it wasn't right what he was doing. I've seen more dishonest things go on in my hunter jumper barn then in the barrel racing world, the only difference is that the English people didn't brag about it. Either way, I would agree with Andy that both disciplines inject just as often.

WrapSnap - 2015-10-22 9:11 PM

I have to say, I feel as though many of the people who are saying that we don't see as many injections in the English disciplines were obviously not either in upper level programs, or "in the know" as to what was going on.

There really isn't so much of a difference in the level and/or types of maintenance that the English horses get versus the barrel horses. If you have actual experience in both arenas, you'll get what I'm saying. You can go to any local, schooling type hunter show and watch a bunch of lesson horses packing a kid around the Short Stirrup Hunter class who's stifles are obviously shot. Maybe they have a bit of an uneven stride in the trot while hacking. Those same type horses are being loped through with little Susie at your local barrel race, being whipped on in an attempt to win the 4D in the Youth. The difference is that in the Hunter world, little Susie's trainers say nothing about the unsoundness, nor bring up joint injections. In the barrel racing world, little Susie's mom, who has never ridden a horse is her trainer and she is sitting on the fence screaming at Susie to whip harder. Susie's mom then gets on an online forum, maybe posts a video and 1,000 "internet vets" say they think that Susie's horse Spot looks very sore and that she should have his hocks checked.

While Dressage horses are often dealt with quite differently, I can guarantee you that the top show Hunters, Jumpers and 3 Day Event horses become very good friends with their vets. Not only that, how many of you have ever been to say the Winter Equestrian Festival, in Wellington, FL. Take a walk through someone's barn (only if invited, of course) and take a peek in the feed room while you're at it. That big wipe board, that's the med list. I promise you that pretty much every horse in the barn is going to be on it. Those horses get more needles than most of the horses at the NFR. It only stands to reason. We'll say that while at a multi week show, a good Hunter is showing 3 or 4 days a week. That sucker is going to be on a longe line, cantering around for at least an hour and more likely two or three before each day of showing. That sort of wear and tear on one's body dictates that they are going to be sore.

I can also tell you from personal experience that the 3 Day Event crowd are worse than barrel racers when it comes to injections. Those horses are truly the iron horses of Equestrian sport. Not only do they almost have to be a Dressage horse, they have to be adept at jumping a 1.20 meter show jump course and they have to be fit enough to gallop a cross country course, up and down terrain. Until recently, the Dressage phase of an Event was something that one "Must do in order to get to the fun part". Due to this, many riders never truly learned how to do it well. The horses were flatted in a very false manner, their heads pulled to their chests, completely lacking in engagement and very hollow through their spine. This led to the fact that many were having their SI injected. There was a time when in that world, you heard people telling others to get their horses SI done as frequently as we hear barrel racers discussing hocks.

I do believe that too many people are not educated enough about joint injections. I also feel as though even fewer are properly educated about good quality leg care and conditioning. Why do leg work during the week to keep one sound when they can just go get their horse injected every six months? Most of those folks have no idea what their horse is being injected with, don't know what the joint looked like, nor know if the joint was dry, full of fluid, if the fluid was gritty/bloody. All they know is that their horse got his hocks done so he should win the barrel race this weekend. This again, I attribute to a lack of education. It scares me that even quite a few professionals, who are out winning big stuff, have no clue what to do for a horse beyond take it to the vet and say "It's not turning. Fix it!".

All of this being said, I will be the first to inject one if they need it. I don't play games with my horse's joint health. If one tells me that they're having an issue, it gets addressed. If injecting it along with the other care that it receives is the best route to take at the time, that's what I'll do. If one really needs time off, I'll give them as much time as they need. I think that people overreact to young horses being injected . A lot of people tend to believe that once you inject, you will always have to inject. I feel that this was almost proven to be true for a long time. In my mind, the reason for that is because a horse with an issue would be left and run on that bad joint until it got to the point that it crippled up. The owner finally took it to the vet, the horse was injected, came sound and started performing again. Six months later, the horse started exhibiting signs of pain again. Back to the vet, new set of injections and viola! The thing that people must realize is that due to their negligence in not having addressed the issue sooner, irreparable damage was done. As a result, yes your horse does now require bi-annual injections. This is the fault of the negligent owner, not the injection.

run n rate - 2015-10-22 11:26 AM


I'm totally ignorant, but if a horse is showing that much during the day at a show why in the world would they need to be lounged for an hour at a canter also? Wouldn't hand walking them be more effective as far as getting them out of their stall and moving around in a manner that wasn't doing more harm? Again, I'm ignorant of all things at this level of show. That and I've never been a big fan of lounging horses especially on a lounge line. If it was good for them I imagine our vets would recommend when we start legging them back up from an injury that we walk them in circles for the first 2 weeks

Also wanted to add I always love your insights.

run n rate - 2015-10-22 1:32 PM

Not exactly the same but I used to get in "spoken" to a little from the gentleman I took cutting lessons from because I didn't show up at 7 am to lope my gelding down for hours before the herd work at the reined cow shows. A) he didnt' need to be loped down and B) I dont' think it especially good for a horse to be loped for an hour in 6-8 inches of deep ground meant to slow a cow down. I'm not a big fan of fatigue training.

WrapSnap - 2015-10-22 12:11 AM I have to say, I feel as though many of the people who are saying that we don't see as many injections in the English disciplines were obviously not either in upper level programs, or "in the know" as to what was going on. There really isn't so much of a difference in the level and/or types of maintenance that the English horses get versus the barrel horses. If you have actual experience in both arenas, you'll get what I'm saying. You can go to any local, schooling type hunter show and watch a bunch of lesson horses packing a kid around the Short Stirrup Hunter class who's stifles are obviously shot. Maybe they have a bit of an uneven stride in the trot while hacking. Those same type horses are being loped through with little Susie at your local barrel race, being whipped on in an attempt to win the 4D in the Youth. The difference is that in the Hunter world, little Susie's trainers say nothing about the unsoundness, nor bring up joint injections. In the barrel racing world, little Susie's mom, who has never ridden a horse is her trainer and she is sitting on the fence screaming at Susie to whip harder. Susie's mom then gets on an online forum, maybe posts a video and 1,000 "internet vets" say they think that Susie's horse Spot looks very sore and that she should have his hocks checked. While Dressage horses are often dealt with quite differently, I can guarantee you that the top show Hunters, Jumpers and 3 Day Event horses become very good friends with their vets. Not only that, how many of you have ever been to say the Winter Equestrian Festival, in Wellington, FL. Take a walk through someone's barn (only if invited, of course) and take a peek in the feed room while you're at it. That big wipe board, that's the med list. I promise you that pretty much every horse in the barn is going to be on it. Those horses get more needles than most of the horses at the NFR. It only stands to reason. We'll say that while at a multi week show, a good Hunter is showing 3 or 4 days a week. That sucker is going to be on a longe line, cantering around for at least an hour and more likely two or three before each day of showing. That sort of wear and tear on one's body dictates that they are going to be sore. I can also tell you from personal experience that the 3 Day Event crowd are worse than barrel racers when it comes to injections. Those horses are truly the iron horses of Equestrian sport. Not only do they almost have to be a Dressage horse, they have to be adept at jumping a 1.20 meter show jump course and they have to be fit enough to gallop a cross country course, up and down terrain. Until recently, the Dressage phase of an Event was something that one "Must do in order to get to the fun part". Due to this, many riders never truly learned how to do it well. The horses were flatted in a very false manner, their heads pulled to their chests, completely lacking in engagement and very hollow through their spine. This led to the fact that many were having their SI injected. There was a time when in that world, you heard people telling others to get their horses SI done as frequently as we hear barrel racers discussing hocks. I do believe that too many people are not educated enough about joint injections. I also feel as though even fewer are properly educated about good quality leg care and conditioning. Why do leg work during the week to keep one sound when they can just go get their horse injected every six months? Most of those folks have no idea what their horse is being injected with, don't know what the joint looked like, nor know if the joint was dry, full of fluid, if the fluid was gritty/bloody. All they know is that their horse got his hocks done so he should win the barrel race this weekend. This again, I attribute to a lack of education. It scares me that even quite a few professionals, who are out winning big stuff, have no clue what to do for a horse beyond take it to the vet and say "It's not turning. Fix it!". All of this being said, I will be the first to inject one if they need it. I don't play games with my horse's joint health. If one tells me that they're having an issue, it gets addressed. If injecting it along with the other care that it receives is the best route to take at the time, that's what I'll do. If one really needs time off, I'll give them as much time as they need. I think that people overreact to young horses being injected . A lot of people tend to believe that once you inject, you will always have to inject. I feel that this was almost proven to be true for a long time. In my mind, the reason for that is because a horse with an issue would be left and run on that bad joint until it got to the point that it crippled up. The owner finally took it to the vet, the horse was injected, came sound and started performing again. Six months later, the horse started exhibiting signs of pain again. Back to the vet, new set of injections and viola! The thing that people must realize is that due to their negligence in not having addressed the issue sooner, irreparable damage was done. As a result, yes your horse does now require bi-annual injections. This is the fault of the negligent owner, not the injection.

Bibliafarm - 2015-10-22 2:59 PM

It is not as normal for injections to all  the differant joints as it is to barrel racers. I had a show barn in wellington for many years . and yes been "In the know " and upper level.. yes we did alot of stuff but to say it compares I disagree on..Im not one to name people not my style but I can say "all the top " didnt inject as much as some of the things I have seen with other disciplines....we injected when needed.. we gave time off and rode other mounts when needed , we tried holistic when needed and other therapies, we were best friends with our vets.. but we werent so fast to put a needle in their joint as I have seen in other events.. thats just how I see it..   we did alot of things I wont disagree on that .. we all have our opinions though..  

Bibliafarm - 2015-10-22 3:26 PM

 Ok I am sorry I got a defensive lol.. we do keep our horses comfortable and certainly not aganist injecting.. or maybe I just closed my eyes to some .. it just appears that some inject blindly for any issue I guess was what  was trying to say.. in BR.. without knowing why or what it does etc.. :) I think some dont realize that it will wear down their joints later on in years.. so to have it done sparingly as a only when needed basis is best but i do feel its a necessary evil when needed and all other avenues have been taken.