Mid-March we did return to the vet because the coffin joint injections seemed to be temporary. In the evaluation and blocks that day, he showed more lameness on the LF (last time it was RF). Same result, block the left and see it a bit on the right. With both feet blocked out he was happy boy. Still no tell-tale evidence on x-rays. MRI has been mentioned, but with the risk of not showing much.
The second part of the foot that sometimes needs help is the navicular bursa. I have heard of doing this and I really trust this vet, so we did it. We put him on Equiox for the first while to help with inflammation. Equiox has the same active ingredient as the dog version Previcox: Firocoxib; it is a cox-2 inhibitor and better than bute in that is does not inhibit cox-1...the main cause for gut issues with bute. It is safer to give long term if needed. We decided to try him on Equiox for the first 2 weeks. He was totally sound and turning normal after TWO days. When I took him off Equiox he continued to maintain well, so I also started him on Cetyl M joint supplement. Interesting science behind that stuff! Some people swear by it for themselves and their dogs. The studies suggest it has the ability to prevent arthritis.
Six weeks went by where he went super well and he was brought slowly into more fitness. At the end of six weeks I noticed a bit of soreness around corners and he was a bit lazy which is not usual. He had been very active in turn-out that week with his 20 year old paddock neighbor being replaced with a 3 year old paddock neighbor - that didn't help!! Without wanting to take any chances, I began the Equiox again just one tiny pill a day. He is right as rain now. This has been such a consistent issue and when he is more active even without being ridden he seems to do really well with Equiox. It is a small dose at one pill a day (size of a pea) and it would not cover up anything significant should something be really wrong or soft tissue, etc. With it being so small I also put it inside 1/4 of a fig newton! He loves it. We are going to try keeping him on it once every other day which is a routine I have heard a lot of people do for their working horses. Equiox is approved with USEF. Of course, when needed we can re-do the injections if it helps even more.
He gets cold hosing and liniment on his legs/lower joints pretty much every single time I ride him. I still do massage and check him for any body soreness. He is not an easy one to manage! I am really enjoying riding him though and he really perks up going over any poles or jumps! I am so blessed to have been taking riding lessons this whole time so at least I am a better rider for him :)
