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| I have a 17 y/o mare that I have been trying to get with on and off for the past 2 years. Every time I would leave her sit for a while, she would make 1 or 2 awesome 1D runs and then it would be all down hill from there. She would cut me off, drop shoulders, plow barrels, and then started to go in and either plow or turn the first and run back to the ally. I kept being told its me and my riding and she just doesn't like me. I just couldn't accept this because I knew we could do it, I mean we already have, so I knew it was possible.
Vet noticed she had what looked to be stifle pain. Did x-rays and ultrasound on her right side which was causing the most pain, turns out she must of had some type of injury when younger and now has developed arthritis and it needs to be injected. She put 3 viles in her right stifle, and pretty much told me flat out that she would be tickled pink if the injections kept her comfortable enough to run for 4 months. This answers my questions of why she would give 2 great runs after a break then not at all. She has been in some major pain. Went back for a check up a week later, right side looked amazing, but looks like the left side will also need to be injected.
I am at a cross road now. I want to so badly find out what 'could be' since we haven't really been given a chance to get with each other, but also know that the likely hood of her being able to run comfortably for more than a couple months without injections is slim to none. Do I pay to have the other stifle injected and see what happens and how long they last.. Or do I need to realize that some things just aren't meant to be.
I guess I'm just feeling a bit selfish right now. :( | |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | Inject and see is my opinion. You may be wasting your money, you may not. | |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
 
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | i have one mare that needs injections every 6 months(when i was running her, she is now retired) and my so's gelding probably every 4..... ..
m
i dont get why you wouldn't inject ?
Edited by mruggles 2014-10-20 2:31 PM
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| mruggles - 2014-10-20 3:30 PM
i have one mare that needs injections every 6 months(when i was running her, she is now retired) and my so's gelding probably every 4..... ..
m
i dont get why you wouldn't inject ?
Injections are about 125$ each, she needs 3 (that we know of right now) in her right stifle, and hopefully less in her left. So probably will end up being around $500 every time she is due. She isn't ran every weekend, probably about every other weekend. Injections like this are all new to me, I have never had a horse that needed them so often. Again, we are going into trial and error mode, once her other side is injected and I can start running her again, then we will be able to know how long they last, and how often she will need them. I guess you make a point though, if I inject and we/she do well it would be worth it, if not then I guess it might be time to retire her. I just want to give us chance, but felt like I was being a little selfish. But then again, I really didn't realize how many horses get injections so regularly until I started having to look into it myself. My vet came off to me like it wouldn't be a good decision to inject her regularly. Possibly because of her age? Or maybe I just took it that way. She said run her and see how long they last and then we can cross that bridge when we get their. | |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | I don't know where your at, but goodness that's awfully high for injecting stifles. That said, I would inject and see what happens. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 554
| My horse needs them in the hocks every six months if we go every weekend. If I go once in awhile once a year. I haven't raced in years and I notice she needs them if I want to ride a ton. She chipped her feet up with shoes on so I am planning on breeding her this winter. I might spring for one round of injections to run a couple of races this winter. | |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| There are a lot more they can do besides inje stilfe. They can do prp, tildren, stencells. Find a vet who is up with the new stuff. Keep goin. | |
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I understand where you are at. I bought an 18 year old 2D horse as a confidence builder but then he got injured and was off a year. Now as a 19 year old he is sound in the sense I can run him but I am realizing he is going to need a fair amount of maintainence - injections at least every 6 months, Previcox, etc.
I have had a couple of great runs with him but then quite a few that haven't been good, especially as I have tried to push him more. Because of his age and injury I don't want to run him that frequently or really practice on him so that will make it hard to get with him. But at the same time I don't know if it is worth all the money to keep him comfortably running if we aren't going to click any time soon.
I have no advice but I am in the same boat - being hopeful vs. is it time to let it go?
Good luck with your decision! | |
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| Dr. J - 2014-10-20 11:14 PM
I understand where you are at. I bought an 18 year old 2D horse as a confidence builder but then he got injured and was off a year. Now as a 19 year old he is sound in the sense I can run him but I am realizing he is going to need a fair amount of maintainence - injections at least every 6 months, Previcox, etc.
I have had a couple of great runs with him but then quite a few that haven't been good, especially as I have tried to push him more. Because of his age and injury I don't want to run him that frequently or really practice on him so that will make it hard to get with him. But at the same time I don't know if it is worth all the money to keep him comfortably running if we aren't going to click any time soon.
I have no advice but I am in the same boat - being hopeful vs. is it time to let it go?
Good luck with your decision!
Thank you, that's exactly where I am at, at this point. We've made a couple great runs and a whole lot of bad. My confidence level with her is low, but at the same time I know it is possible, and that this could be all the reason for the crazy things she would pull. I also cant run her or practice on her frequently, and it definitely makes it harder to get with her, and will take longer. But for her she is the type of horse that doesn't need all the practice, so if we could click quickly it would be worth it. Its just the 'seeing' part that's going to be hard, on me and my wallet lol Best of luck to you!! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Couple of things.
I'd inject her simply because the sooner you can get her feeling better the quicker you can start trying out other options to keep her comfortable. My suggestions are:
Can you work with a coach or trainer to help you and your mare get together better and point out any areas where problems may be coming up? I watch a lot of people warm up their horses in circles while the horse is leaning and dropping a shoulder the entire time then wonder why the horse keeps tipping barrels afterwards. Also with a stifle pain if your horse isn't standing up in her circles and turns that can put extra stress on her making her uncomfortable before she gets into the ring.
Can you work with your vet to come up with an exercise plan to strengthen her back, loins, and stifle area. Depending on the injury you may be able to strengthen the muscles around to support her better and lengthen the time between injections.
Finally put her on a good oral or IM joint supplement. I like Adequan or generic equivalent as well as oral MSM for joint supplements. The US has lots more options available and I'm sure these ladies can certainly give you some fantastic joint supplement suggestions.
Hopefully these help you out a bit.
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| My understanding stifles can take anywhere 15-20mls of fluid in each stifle. If the vet is injecting 125/vial then at least he is injecting good stuff.
Personally if it was my horse, I would inject both see how long it lasts then make my decision on re injecting.
I would also get the vet to look at hocks as it seems hocks and stifles go hand in hand more then not | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | My mare(retired) had an injury to her stifle when she was 2-3. She would do like yours, have great runs then have crappy runs. I tried chiro, time off, retraining, etc...Then we did injections. I had to have her stifle injected 2 times a year. Made a big difference. I took my time getting her back in racing as I wanted to trail ride and do some non barrel work so she would see that she wasnt' hurting anymore. Then I started her back slowly on the barrels. I wanted her to be open minded and not think she would hurt everytime she saw barrels. I say all this and really it didn't take long. After a couple years of running her on injections, I started her on Adequan after getting injected and it made a huge difference. I only had to inject her once a year after that. I did a strict loading dose and then once a month. If I was going to a weekend show where I would be running several times, I would do a mini loading dose two weeks before I went. I had her checked a few months ago, all ready to have her injected, and the vet said she didn't need it. I can tell that she looks more comfortable. I buy the big bottle of Adequan cause I get more for my money. It's still expensive but cheaper than injections and the injections and adequan seem to work well together.
I understand what you're going through. It's frustrating and expensive. I know several 1d horses that are injected every 3 months. Since she is a 1d horse, I personally would have her injected and see how she does. You might be surprised. She may not need injecting as often as the vet says.
Good Luck! | |
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| RunNitroRun - 2014-10-21 12:13 PM
Couple of things.
I'd inject her simply because the sooner you can get her feeling better the quicker you can start trying out other options to keep her comfortable. My suggestions are:
Can you work with a coach or trainer to help you and your mare get together better and point out any areas where problems may be coming up? I watch a lot of people warm up their horses in circles while the horse is leaning and dropping a shoulder the entire time then wonder why the horse keeps tipping barrels afterwards. Also with a stifle pain if your horse isn't standing up in her circles and turns that can put extra stress on her making her uncomfortable before she gets into the ring.
Can you work with your vet to come up with an exercise plan to strengthen her back, loins, and stifle area. Depending on the injury you may be able to strengthen the muscles around to support her better and lengthen the time between injections.
Finally put her on a good oral or IM joint supplement. I like Adequan or generic equivalent as well as oral MSM for joint supplements. The US has lots more options available and I'm sure these ladies can certainly give you some fantastic joint supplement suggestions.
Hopefully these help you out a bit.
I have been working with a trainer the past year. We have been working on her moving away from pressure. She has definitely come a long way, but you can tell that she still just didn't seem comfortable. Had her looked at and found some pretty big changes in her stifle. The injury has caused build up of tissue and their is a part where her cartilage is almost gone and rubbing bone on bone. I hope this makes sense, I'm not the greatest at medical lingo. If the injections work, or while seeing if they do, I am only going to be exercising her a couple times a week. A lot of long trotting, etc. This way to 'save' her as much as possible. We work on her shoulder position and moving away from pressure mostly at a walk. I am definitely starting her on Adequan and she has been on a joint supplement. Thanks for your thoughts! :) | |
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| canrunnr - 2014-10-21 12:52 PM
My mare(retired) had an injury to her stifle when she was 2-3. She would do like yours, have great runs then have crappy runs. I tried chiro, time off, retraining, etc...Then we did injections. I had to have her stifle injected 2 times a year. Made a big difference. I took my time getting her back in racing as I wanted to trail ride and do some non barrel work so she would see that she wasnt' hurting anymore. Then I started her back slowly on the barrels. I wanted her to be open minded and not think she would hurt everytime she saw barrels. I say all this and really it didn't take long. After a couple years of running her on injections, I started her on Adequan after getting injected and it made a huge difference. I only had to inject her once a year after that. I did a strict loading dose and then once a month. If I was going to a weekend show where I would be running several times, I would do a mini loading dose two weeks before I went. I had her checked a few months ago, all ready to have her injected, and the vet said she didn't need it. I can tell that she looks more comfortable. I buy the big bottle of Adequan cause I get more for my money. It's still expensive but cheaper than injections and the injections and adequan seem to work well together.
I understand what you're going through. It's frustrating and expensive. I know several 1d horses that are injected every 3 months. Since she is a 1d horse, I personally would have her injected and see how she does. You might be surprised. She may not need injecting as often as the vet says.
Good Luck!
Thank you!! I am starting her on the adequan. How much is in a 'mini dose' like you said you give for a long weekend of multiple runs?
I pray this works, I guess all I can do it try. Its just going to be expensive! I really didn't realize how many horses are injected so regularly though. I have always been told that the 'good ones' always need the most maintenance...I'm really starting to believe it lol | |
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Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | Rustynailfl - 2014-10-21 1:00 PM
canrunnr - 2014-10-21 12:52 PM
My mare(retired) had an injury to her stifle when she was 2-3. She would do like yours, have great runs then have crappy runs. I tried chiro, time off, retraining, etc...Then we did injections. I had to have her stifle injected 2 times a year. Made a big difference. I took my time getting her back in racing as I wanted to trail ride and do some non barrel work so she would see that she wasnt' hurting anymore. Then I started her back slowly on the barrels. I wanted her to be open minded and not think she would hurt everytime she saw barrels. I say all this and really it didn't take long. After a couple years of running her on injections, I started her on Adequan after getting injected and it made a huge difference. I only had to inject her once a year after that. I did a strict loading dose and then once a month. If I was going to a weekend show where I would be running several times, I would do a mini loading dose two weeks before I went. I had her checked a few months ago, all ready to have her injected, and the vet said she didn't need it. I can tell that she looks more comfortable. I buy the big bottle of Adequan cause I get more for my money. It's still expensive but cheaper than injections and the injections and adequan seem to work well together.
I understand what you're going through. It's frustrating and expensive. I know several 1d horses that are injected every 3 months. Since she is a 1d horse, I personally would have her injected and see how she does. You might be surprised. She may not need injecting as often as the vet says.
Good Luck!
Thank you!! I am starting her on the adequan. How much is in a 'mini dose' like you said you give for a long weekend of multiple runs?
I pray this works, I guess all I can do it try. Its just going to be expensive! I really didn't realize how many horses are injected so regularly though. I have always been told that the 'good ones' always need the most maintenance...I'm really starting to believe it lol
The big bottle of Adequan is 50mL (ten 5cc shots). Per my vet, the loading dose is to give 1 shot every 4 days for 28 days. That's 7 shots total. Then 1 shot a month. Some vets say to give one shot every 7 days for a month, then 1 shot a month. I would do the 1 shot every 4 days loading dose since your mare is hurting that bad.
For the 'mini' loading dose, I start 2 weeks ahead. I give 3 shots total. 5cc's every 4 days, so 3 shots in 12 days.
I used to not believe in injections but I tried everything and the only thing left with my mare was to inject. I could tell a difference after the 4th shot. I think if she could have skipped, she would have :) Obviously I'm a believer now :) | |
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