For the record, I'm also on the other forum that the OP speaks of. There was lots of good advice given by most folks but a couple people indeed got carried away and way off topic. But that kind of went both ways....  Of course, keep in mind there are very few competitive barrel racers on that site and they just simply have no idea.

Just FYI, said horse has never had baseline x-rays of the hocks, even before the vet injected. (which I personally strongly disagree with) But of course OP can fill everyone in on the rest of the details with said horse.

OP, realize that inflammation IS arthritis. So it's not really correct to say that "inflammation wasn't really a problem". There's a reason his hocks were hurting and a reason that there is fluid there that shouldn't be, and for the vast majority of hock issues, that's because of inflammation.

90% of the people on that forum got very carried away with it, when my post wasn't even about injections, it was about shoes. If they were a bit nicer about it, I would have been more willing to take advice. As when you advised x-rays should be done, in a nice way, I agreed. Most on there were slamming me for it, nobody that I can remember but you, actually asked the reason why he was being injected etc. Everyone just seemed to assume my poor horse was so bad off. That forum would have went way differently if they took your approach instead. I came to post this here to see what a different atmosphere felt about it. This forum in general is more for injections, as the other I clerly got the message that they are not many that are for injections. I just don't seem much good advice was given besides yours, you were the only one trying to get others to see not all injections are terrible and cruel. In the end I do agree, I should have x-rays done next time. That was the first time I ever got him injected and sicnce the vet advised he was so sure injections was going to be the best thing, I just went with it. I will have to ask again why he chose HA only, because I see most people get a steriod with it. 

I’d have to question what on earth kind of forum you are on where people are saying injections are unnecessary and cruel. I think I’d be deleting my account there. It doesn’t sound like the type of place I’d go to for correct and good advice.

That site is no different than here. Sometimes people get on a tangent and jump to conclusions without asking proper questions first, and the OP gets slammed. That's happened here on BHW too.

There are lots of good posters and (generally) good advice on that site. But it does have the same pitfalls as any other online site does.

This is off topic, but I see your horses at the bottom of your signature. Are these the horses you currently run? That red roan sounds like he would be beautful. My horse and your Dexter share Three Bars far back and maybe some of the Rocket bloodlines a bit. Just thought it was kinda cool how far the lines will go. Do you give them anything extra to help out because of their age or anything? 

Everything I own right now gets injections, ages 5-26, each for differing reasons & some multiple joints. It's the norm for me. If they need them they need them. My 5 year old got done today because she's got dry joints & the start of arthritis already & she's just basic broke & trotting the pattern. Some horse have underlying reasons that don't involve workload or what's been done to the joint, some just have their own issues of needing them. Do I like injecting a 5 year old? No. But I've exhausted all other options as far as alternatives. Started her on Exceed 6 -Way today for her as well to help, it does wonders on my 20 year old with dry joints. 

Off topic, but no worries.

Yes, they are my current 3 horses. Shotgun moved up to being #1 this year and consistently placing in the 1D this summer, as well as qualifying for the world AQHA show in ranch riding -- so he's pretty special to me.

The red roan is Red. He's a looker indeed but sadly he has a "bad body". He did not barrel race this year and did not barrel race last year. I hold out hope that I might be able to race him again one day, but I'm not holding my breath. So he gets his use at the horse shows and maybe he can be my daughters barrel horse ..... aka, doing an easy lope through the pattern.

The black one is Dexter. Really fun quick guy and was coming along nicely on the barrels. Unfortunately, he punctured his hock and got a joint infection about 2 months ago. He's hobbling around on it but it's unclear if he will be able to return to barrels (probably not).

As far as "extra" things they all get, is good vet care with a good lamenness. Red was the most expensive by far this year, LOL, and he's not even running barrels. So the individual horse dictates what "extras" they need.

I would love to add in one of those supplements, but I see they are like $100 a month! I doubt I will be able to afford that right now. I pay to board my horse at the moment. 

I think this is a great way to look at it. Nutrition, proper exercise, etc is EXTREMELY important. I think this vet gets that but I also am getting that if a horse NEEDS injections after analyzing all the other components then by all means he would do it. Equine medicine (IMO) needs to be integrative of everything that is going into the total performance of the animal. A horse that has a subpar exercise regimen will continue to have subpar performance if you just willy nilly inject.