From everything I have heard, Adequan is okay as a temporary pain reliever. It wears out rather quickly, and generally can get to be kind of expensive after a while. Unfortunately her arthritis isn't in the hocks, where fusing the joints is (sometimes) a good option. I'm not sure if you can fuse the fetlocks as they are much less complex than the hock joint (Fetlock being cannon bone, fetlock joint, first pastern bone, whereas the hock has 4 bones in the joint part alone, two upper and two lower. The lower two are what you can fuse, as they account for only a tiny bit of the mobility in the joint).

Perhaps someone here can give some insight into whether or not fusing the fetlock would be possible. I do know, however, that some people swear by Adequan, and some people hate it. It's kind of a "once you're on it, you're on it for good" type thing, that (as I said) needs to be re-administered quite often.

How old is your mare? If she's on the older side, and/or retired, using injections indefinitely could work out well. If she's younger, perhaps there are alternatives?

Truly sorry you have been presented with such a tough condition to have to handle with your horse. My own girl, Cassy (avatar horse), eventually succumbed to fatal arthritis in both front knees. They fused up entirely and she could no longer walk. However, I've seen many a horse live out their whole lives with mild to severe arthritis, happily. It all depends on the horse :)

Sidney, this may be something to look into, but perhaps adding some apple cider vinegar to your horse's diet might help? Or rubbing her most affected joints with it after riding? My Grandmother swears by taking it for her joints, I've always had good luck rubbing it on my riding injuries and it always seemed to put a nice gloss on my horse (whether it worked or not). It might help in conjunction with something like Adequin.

My riding teacher told me about a product "that has worked better for me than Adequan and all the others" (her words) that I am now using on an almost 30 yr old spavined Arab mare who also has an arthritic rear fetlock joint.  It is Actiflex Senior (they also make one for younger horses) from Cox Veterinary Laboratory (http://www.coxvetlab.com).  When I started riding the mare she was limping BADLY, on hemp powder, and then later on MSM she got better but she was still limping, now on the Actiflex she limps only when doing a tight turn.  Enormous improvement.  The whole stable has changed to it for arthritis.  

-- Edited by Jackie Cochran on Thursday 21st of April 2011 01:15:00 PM

When my horse was first diagnosed with arthritis in his right front fetlock at 12 we did intra-articular injections of HA (hyaluronic acid) which helped him out I think. We were still doing eventing at the time but as his workload decreased over the years I found I no longer needed to keep up with the injections (which were only about 2x/year anyway). He's 19 now and though that fetlock is still his "weakest link" he's doing great and I still ride him 4 times a week. I think whatever the treatment option of choice, if you stay with in the boundaries of what is reasonable for the horse and dont over do it, you will go a long way to helping protect their joints and keeping them sound.

Great tips, Queenrider. Have you used these products and seen the same/better results? You said you ordered the Joint Saver, so I'm guessing you used it :)

My friend ordered it for her gelding who ruptured his annular ligament on his right hind ankle last august. He also had arthtis in his hocks and back. After a short period on Joint Saver the swelling went down. He also now is sound and able to be ridden. she will be able to start riding him this weekend. I thought this stuff was great and they also had a human version so I tried the human version for my arthritis. What a change! I can move my fingers again, my knees are better as well.

    Adequan is best used in horses BEFORE osteoarthritis is severe.  It helps with pain, but only because it is the ONLY product that has proven (because it is an FDA product) to CHANGE THE DISEASE STATE.  It supports chondrocytes to actually help to repair damaged cartilage in the joints.. however, it can not replace lost cartilage.  A veterinarian is trained to use FDA products that have been researched - with efficacy and safety studies behind them... it isn't about generating money for the vet.  However, a veterinarian does have bills to pay as well... they are not charity organizations.   

   I personally love using Omega-3s derived from fish for my horses and have found it to be superior in decreasing healing time, improving mental clarity and supports joint (and cellular) health.  Acupuncture is also ideal for pain relief and/or management (depending on the condition and the state of the condition).

    I would be suspect of all of the "mix supplements" and food additives on the market because there is no regulation on supplements and no means of guaranteeing you are getting any active ingredient - or that the active ingredient will do what the manufacturer claims.  And the NASC seal is actually bought, not earned.  

Best of luck (I know this thread is old :) 

I use WellPride and I put 1oz over their feed once daily.

We use Adequan prophylactically on our competitive horses. We've also started our 25 year old mare on it, she's in light work. Works like a hot damn.