Post by Calaminty Jane on Apr 6, 2011 9:21:16 GMT -5
Horse Health: Signs and Management of Arthritis Pain
by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT
AnimalAwareness.com
Posted: Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The pain and stiffness associated with arthritis affects horses in the same way that they affect humans. Fortunately, the percentage in animals is not as high as with humans. A recent study sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health showed that approximately 20% of adult horses might be affected by arthritis.
Regular massage combined with gentle stretching, hydrotherapy and exercises make a comprehensive holistic home-care program to keep your arthritic horse as healthy, happy and pain-free as possible on a daily basis.
Exercise your animal regularly to keep his musculoskeletal system fit and to maintain flexibility and range of motion. Short exercise sessions throughout the day will make it more enjoyable for your horse. Avoid longer sessions where he might get stiff and sore afterwards. Long sessions develop more muscular tension and he will automatically compensate in order to avoid the painful joint sensation.
Some of the early symptoms of arthritis may include:
-- General stiffness in the morning when leaving his stall. It may subside as he moves around.
-- General stiffness when trying to get up or lay down.
-- A decrease in their overall activity level, difficulty going up and down hills or when loading in and out of a trailer.
-- Not wanting to be touched or handled as much, including being a bit grouchy or aggressive when being touched over the arthritic areas.
More pronounced symptoms might include:
-- Marked stiffness or lameness when walking, trotting or cantering.
-- Some degree of pain, heat and possibly swelling around the affected joint(s).
-- Painful signs on his face when putting weight on an affected leg or when touched there.
Keep in mind, these symptoms can also be due to another problem known as Lyme disease. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis. By taking x-rays and performing appropriate blood tests he can confirm the diagnosis of arthritis.
Medications and Supplements
The classical medications for the treatment of arthritis include Aspirin, Cortisone or other non-steroid medications such as Carprofen (marketed as Rimadyl, Imadyl, and Imafen). They relieve pain and inflammation but may cause some long-term deterioration of the joints, as well as, causing other potential side effects.
Possibly, surgery might be considered with severe condition such as localized bone spurs. These procedures have a good chance of success with minimal side effects.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are often used to control pain, improve joint mobility and improve the damage to the cartilage resulting from the arthritis. Vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral Selenium are also beneficial. Consult with your veterinarian on proper dosage for your horse.
Herbal supplements that are beneficial for arthritis include yucca, devils claw and alfalfa. You might want to contact a master herbalist for more specific details. Also, some Chinese herbal formulas are very potent to help an arthritic horse.
How to Massage an Arthritic Horse
Arthritis affects the hips, lower spine, stifle, hock and knees, pasterns and to a lesser degree the shoulder and elbow. Massage won't cure arthritis, but regular applications contribute to slowing down the degenerative process. Massage secures the following benefits:
-- Relieves some of the pain by relaxing the tight adjacent muscles, tendons and ligaments
-- Breaks the "paintensionmore pain" cycle
-- Relieves the compensatory muscular tension found in supporting limbs
Massages should last 20 to 35 minutes depending on the size of your horse. It is better to repeat several massage sessions and see consistent results rather than taking the risk of over-working a body part.
For the arthritic horse, it is very beneficial to massage early in the morning and again in the evening:
-- The morning massage will erase the stiffness and soreness from the night's inactivity in a stall
-- The evening session will relieve the muscle tension and soreness buildup resulting from the activities of the day
Get the circulation going by lightly stroking the area you are about to massage. Next, use light kneading over the tight muscles to loosen the fibers and stimulate deeper circulation. Intersperse with light strokes every 10 seconds to assist drainage. Do not work directly over the joints afflicted with arthritis.
Chinese massage suggests kneading the outside of the elbow, and just above and in front of the hoof on the hind leg to promote good general metabolism and fight off arthritis. Daily massages are beneficial and gives you another great chance to bond with your animal through the magic of touch!
If your horse experiences inflammation in a joint, wrap a cold wet towel around it or consider applying an ice-cup massage technique. It will sooth and lower the inflammatory process. The "laying-on" of hands is also very good to alleviate pain in a sore joint. There are many more massage techniques on my website to view and learn.
Follow your morning massage session with a mild exercise period such as walking or light trotting but avoid a strenuous workout.
Acupuncture and chiropractic can be very beneficial for arthritic horses, not only in relieving pain but also in increasing circulation to the muscles and joints and improving overall health.
This comprehensive holistic approach usually works well in keeping your animal healthy and comfortable! However, always consult your veterinarian before starting any of the techniques above.
------------------------------
About Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT
Our goal is help you provide quality home care for the benefit of your animal. AnimalAwareness.com offers lots of information on massage and stretching techniques. With this knowledge, you will be able to develop a good home care program for the benefit of your horse. He will love you for it!
by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT
AnimalAwareness.com
Posted: Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The pain and stiffness associated with arthritis affects horses in the same way that they affect humans. Fortunately, the percentage in animals is not as high as with humans. A recent study sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health showed that approximately 20% of adult horses might be affected by arthritis.
Regular massage combined with gentle stretching, hydrotherapy and exercises make a comprehensive holistic home-care program to keep your arthritic horse as healthy, happy and pain-free as possible on a daily basis.
Exercise your animal regularly to keep his musculoskeletal system fit and to maintain flexibility and range of motion. Short exercise sessions throughout the day will make it more enjoyable for your horse. Avoid longer sessions where he might get stiff and sore afterwards. Long sessions develop more muscular tension and he will automatically compensate in order to avoid the painful joint sensation.
Some of the early symptoms of arthritis may include:
-- General stiffness in the morning when leaving his stall. It may subside as he moves around.
-- General stiffness when trying to get up or lay down.
-- A decrease in their overall activity level, difficulty going up and down hills or when loading in and out of a trailer.
-- Not wanting to be touched or handled as much, including being a bit grouchy or aggressive when being touched over the arthritic areas.
More pronounced symptoms might include:
-- Marked stiffness or lameness when walking, trotting or cantering.
-- Some degree of pain, heat and possibly swelling around the affected joint(s).
-- Painful signs on his face when putting weight on an affected leg or when touched there.
Keep in mind, these symptoms can also be due to another problem known as Lyme disease. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian for a diagnosis. By taking x-rays and performing appropriate blood tests he can confirm the diagnosis of arthritis.
Medications and Supplements
The classical medications for the treatment of arthritis include Aspirin, Cortisone or other non-steroid medications such as Carprofen (marketed as Rimadyl, Imadyl, and Imafen). They relieve pain and inflammation but may cause some long-term deterioration of the joints, as well as, causing other potential side effects.
Possibly, surgery might be considered with severe condition such as localized bone spurs. These procedures have a good chance of success with minimal side effects.
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements are often used to control pain, improve joint mobility and improve the damage to the cartilage resulting from the arthritis. Vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral Selenium are also beneficial. Consult with your veterinarian on proper dosage for your horse.
Herbal supplements that are beneficial for arthritis include yucca, devils claw and alfalfa. You might want to contact a master herbalist for more specific details. Also, some Chinese herbal formulas are very potent to help an arthritic horse.
How to Massage an Arthritic Horse
Arthritis affects the hips, lower spine, stifle, hock and knees, pasterns and to a lesser degree the shoulder and elbow. Massage won't cure arthritis, but regular applications contribute to slowing down the degenerative process. Massage secures the following benefits:
-- Relieves some of the pain by relaxing the tight adjacent muscles, tendons and ligaments
-- Breaks the "paintensionmore pain" cycle
-- Relieves the compensatory muscular tension found in supporting limbs
Massages should last 20 to 35 minutes depending on the size of your horse. It is better to repeat several massage sessions and see consistent results rather than taking the risk of over-working a body part.
For the arthritic horse, it is very beneficial to massage early in the morning and again in the evening:
-- The morning massage will erase the stiffness and soreness from the night's inactivity in a stall
-- The evening session will relieve the muscle tension and soreness buildup resulting from the activities of the day
Get the circulation going by lightly stroking the area you are about to massage. Next, use light kneading over the tight muscles to loosen the fibers and stimulate deeper circulation. Intersperse with light strokes every 10 seconds to assist drainage. Do not work directly over the joints afflicted with arthritis.
Chinese massage suggests kneading the outside of the elbow, and just above and in front of the hoof on the hind leg to promote good general metabolism and fight off arthritis. Daily massages are beneficial and gives you another great chance to bond with your animal through the magic of touch!
If your horse experiences inflammation in a joint, wrap a cold wet towel around it or consider applying an ice-cup massage technique. It will sooth and lower the inflammatory process. The "laying-on" of hands is also very good to alleviate pain in a sore joint. There are many more massage techniques on my website to view and learn.
Follow your morning massage session with a mild exercise period such as walking or light trotting but avoid a strenuous workout.
Acupuncture and chiropractic can be very beneficial for arthritic horses, not only in relieving pain but also in increasing circulation to the muscles and joints and improving overall health.
This comprehensive holistic approach usually works well in keeping your animal healthy and comfortable! However, always consult your veterinarian before starting any of the techniques above.
------------------------------
About Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT
Our goal is help you provide quality home care for the benefit of your animal. AnimalAwareness.com offers lots of information on massage and stretching techniques. With this knowledge, you will be able to develop a good home care program for the benefit of your horse. He will love you for it!