Adequan loading dose VS. hock injections..

[acoustic]

Hey all, had a question concerning these methods for joint repair and comfort.

Background: 12yr old Arabian gelding used for rodeo events, primarily barrel racing and pole bending (some cattle work). Great horse, never a bad attitude, stoic, always on his best behavior. Last few years his performance had begun to decline. All the signs of sore hocks (standing underneath himself, coming out of the barrel turns with a hoppping motion, uncomfortable for the farrier when it came to holding his back legs, the usual suspects).

Spoke with the vet, saved the money and got Xrays done. Showed the beginnings of change so we discussed the options, hock injections being the first and considerably best method. Bit the bullet and decided to do it for my horse's comfort this time last year. The vet was only able to inject one hock successfully (I don't know whether a different vet could have gotten both hocks, so I'm wary to spend the money again, considering I was charged for both hocks), so I followed through with the Adequan 7-dose loading program a few weeks after the hock injections.

It made a HUGE difference. I gave him a week off of riding and decided to limit our barrel racing regardless of how great he felt. Took him to a few choice rodeos in the months following and his times improved over a full second. Gave him the summer off barrel racing and just played trail pony, 1st level dressage, and low level jumping.

Decided to try for a barrel race a few months ago and noticed that his performance was suffering again and he slowly started to show the same signs of hock soreness over the last few months. Farrier noticed it as well and made a mention to me (I knew his hocks were sore pretty quickly, but it is great to have a farrier notice things like this and let me know). Decided to take it easy on my horse for a few months while I got the money together to help him out.

Now, the question is, should I just go for the Adequan loading dose, or should I take him to the lameness vet across the state for the hock injections? (Decided that if I were to do the injections again I would like to take him to the vet that is known primarily for his injections). I don't want to go crazy with the steroids as he's still pretty young and I realize that there are some serious risks (the chances for infection are very low, I know, but it is always a consideration).

The other consideration is that my horse was equally as comfortable on his hock that wasn't injected for a decent period of time. I noticed the decline in that hock first, but it was a good 6 months after the Adequan dose and the injected hock followed soon enough after.

What are your experiences and opinions?

Sorry for the book but I know you all can be very thorough so I thought I'd give you all the info that I could. =)

[Guilherme]

I have a coming 17 y.o. Mangalarga Marchador mare. She's been my regular horse since 1999. She's also produced four live foals. We trail ride and participate in military horse competitions (like the National Cavalry Competition; for more info see http://www.uscavalry.org/).

A couple of years ago I had her evaluated as she was having some minor movement issues (did not want to take the right lead, for example). She would do it, but it was clearly more difficult than the left. She was x-rayed, and based upon that we did two rounds of hock injections. Part of the warnings given were that injections are a "diminishing returns" treatment. The first round may last for several months to a year or more, depending upon work load. But each subsequent injection will work for a shorter period of time. Eventually they will no longer be effective.

This last year we decided to try Adequan. We did the recommended loading dosage. The results were very positive. It felt like I'd turned the clock back several years. It's considerably less invasive and does not seem to carry the "diminishing returns" problem. We also did the maintenance doses at 3 week intervals and did not notice any significant loss of performance. She's off the medicine right now as she's due to foal in May and not in heavy work. What little we do (modest rides, some mounted shooting, etc.) do not justify any risk to a developing foal (although I don't know if there is such a risk).

The mare will get the loading dose starting in June so we can get back in shape for our competitions beginning in September.

For us Adequan was the clear winner. Maybe it won't be for everyone but IMO the advantages of Adequan (cost, ease of use, low invasive nature, etc.) clearly encourage an experiment with this type of therapy. We did spend some time discussing options with our vet and he agreed intially and is very pleased with the result.

G.

[acoustic]

Great to hear you've had such wonderful results. I was leaning towards the Adequan because the effects seemed just as satisfactory as the injections.

I've heard both sides of the story on whether monthly shots really do anything after the loading dose. Some people suggest just the loading dose maybe twice a year, others swear that a monthly injection works better than any oral supplement. I'm sure two injections a month would be even better, especially for a horse with a decent workload, but it's out of my price range.

I just ordered Cosequin ASU for him and was considering an oral HA supplement as well, as he was less stiff with the Flex-Force HA that I had him on before the injections. Both supplements would still be cheaper than two adequan shots per month but more costly than one, so I'm a little torn. I know that cartilage grows/repairs very slowly but that the chondroitin does eventually work its way into the cells and tissues so I am considering keeping him on the oral chond/glucosomine supplement regardless.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[NorCalDressage]

Have only done hock injections with one mare -

She had been on oral joint supplements for quite a few years - not sure they really did anything for her. Tried the loading dose of Adequan, didn't see any changes with her. Finally took the plunge and had her hocks injected - WOW, new horse! Made a huge change in her! Just had her hocks done for a second time. We went 1 year in between, but I will probably go more like 8 months next time.

I think it really matters what they are injecting with? Steroids or HA?

I am not a fan of injecting with Steroids only, I would try the Adequan first if those are your only two options. What my mare was injected with is mostly HA, with a small amount of steroid and a small amount of antibiotics as insurance. You definitely want to make sure you get someone who has done a lot of these and knows what they are doing, to prevent a joint infection.

Basically though experimenting around, this mare has shown Glucosamine products don't make any difference with her, but HA products make a huge difference. The products that make a positive difference with her are Conquer Gel, Legend, and getting her hocks done.

[chawley]

I would try the loading dose first, followed by monthly injections and see if that garners you the results you want. If not, you can always inject her. Last summer, I ended up injecting my gelding (16 year old, hunter) and then putting him on monthly Adequan and he's done very well.

I plan to try the loading dose and then continue the monthlys this Spring and see if I can forego the injections this year.

[Guilherme]

As between Adequan and Cosequin, I'd pick the Adequan.

First, I think it has a much better "track record" with horses and joint problems (at least that is my conclusion from the research that I did).

Second, it is more economical. The loading is more money, but over time the maintenance dose of Adequan will be less than the monthly cost of Cosequin (IIRC my "lines" crossed at about 7 months).

Third, Adequan is much easier to use, in that it's a single injection periodically as opposed to daily dosing. Our horses are all "field" kept and we don't regularly use suppliments on any of them. A daily program would add significantly to our labor requirements.

For these reasons, and others, I'd select Adequan over Cosequin.

G.

[asterix]

I'd be tempted to try the adequan first (plus oral if you have the $) and then do his hocks if need be.

My hocky horse really only responds to injections when he is quite uncomfortable -- but I seem to be able to stave off the injections for much longer by using courses of adequan in between.

If you can, try one thing at a time for starters just so that you can get a sense of what works for this horse and narrow your resource expenditure that way.