ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Adequan

Re: Adequan

Kathy Myers (kathy@nvolve.com)
Tue, 28 Oct 1997 08:27:35 -0800

I have used Adequan IM since April '95 on the 'ol ex-racer. Not only
does he move freer (probably in every single joint, not just the
one with his old injury) but his attitude is better than ever. *HE*
thinks it would be great fun if I just took him right back over to
Bay Meadows. :)

Since we have a bit of narrowing cartiledge in his injured pasturn I have
kept him on Adequan every month and I use an oral CS supplement every
day. It is well worth the cost... which I have kept down by giving
the injections myself (carefully). Thank goodness I have a vet who is
understanding about the cost issue and is interested in seeing the
*horse* get the best care possible. ie: $90.00 + vet call once a month
was right out.

If anyone remembers the old Rascal horse who went dead lame from arthritis
the winter before he died (I think it's in the old archives still) we
treated him with 1 IV Legend and then oral Flex Free. He was sound after
3 days and continued to be sound until the, um, end.

I think with the oral joint-lubes the best bet is those with both CS and
GAGS. Cosequin has both which may be why some horses respond to it and
not others. I've had good luck with just CS, but in continuing to read
lables, maybe have found one around here with both CS and GAGS. (I've
not yet actually seen a jar of Cosequin on a shelf around here... maybe
they're all bought up by the time I get to the tack shop?)

Also, continuing light work is better for arthritic horses than keeping
them penned up. Moving around, pasture turn out, and nice gentle trail
rides will help a lot in keeping those old joints oiled.

As for the AERC drug rule policy, I'd like to see these allowed. My reason
for that is they provide a permenent disruption of DJD... something that
is going to strike quite a few endurance horses in later years simply
because of the athletic nature of our sport. Providing something like
Adequan, Legend, Flex Free, Cosequin, etc. allows our horses to meet the
challange without (hopefully) the crippling affects in later years. They
will not cover up an injury or make an injured horse sound. However,
they can provide relief from the onset of DJD and may just catch it and
reverse it.

WOW! A *real* treatment for arthritis! Is this a great day on the
planet or what?

:) - kat myers
in San Mateo (No.) Ca. with Magnum the TB ex-racer
"Little Matador" 1981 b g 5-0-3/23, ret.

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