RE: Vita-Flex's Cool Gel (with MSM)

["Snodgrass, Bonnie" <snodgrab@ncr.disa.mil>]

Hi Barb, I've had a couple of horses with hock problems, one had a direct
injury to the hock that initially caused a large bog spavin then progressed
into arthritis. My current endurance mare has
one arthritic hock. I've tried just about every thing for joints. From my
experience, the only topical treatment that goes deeper than the skin is
DMSO. It can help temporarily with inflammation in a joint. MSM needs to go
inside the horse, use a double or triple dose for a week to have much effect
or do a 5 day course of bute (more effective). I've not found a joint
supplement that would really take the place of Legend shots. I've tried all
kinds of supplements and I still have to give the Legend shots. I've found
the shots last for about 8 months then my mare needs them again. Same with
the other horse. Also, If I go out and do some really had work, like an
extra tough and long training ride or a competition then I  give my mare a
double dose of MSM, twice a day, for a 3-5 days afterwards to prevent the
inflammation from setting in. I was told by a very good vet that preventing
the inflammation to begin with is the real key to managing arthritis.
Remember that MSM is largely an anti-inflammatory. Don't wait till it sets
in because the inflammation causes the joint fluid to become thin and runny
which is detrimental to the joint cartilage and also causes the pain and
stiffness. She recommended the immediate preventative anti-inflammatory
treatment right after hard work. Ounce of prevention bit. Putting MSM in a
topical is just a gimmick to sell the product IMO.

Bonnie Snodgrass
-----Original Message-----
From: guest@endurance.net [mailto:guest@endurance.net]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 8:25 AM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: Vita-Flex's Cool Gel (with MSM)


Barb Peck bpeck@together.net
From Barb Peck
bpeck@together.net

HI:

Has anyone tried this product?

I have a horse, that has lost some impulsion behind
due to slight swelling in his hocks. (more in the RH than the
LH)

Last year the vet thought is was bog spavin, so he had the LEGEND 3-
series shots, and was on 10g chondroitin/glucosamine
daily.

He re-bounded.. so I took him off the glucosamine/chondroitin
last Sept. (I have just resumed it. In hind site, should have left him on
it )

I can see/feel some swelling under the big vein that crosses the inside of
the hocks.. not alot, but it's there.

Vet's coming out next week.

But in the mean time.. anyone used any topical products with MSM in it for
bog spavin?
Or any other product that worked to reduce swelling... the joint doesn't
feel hot.


Thanks
Barb


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