My 25 yo Morgan/Quarter is IR and has CUshings treated with PErgolide for several years. His diet is balanced. He has ringbone and also I think some arthritis, persistent stiffness and/or lameness.
I have been treating him with Devil's Claw Plus without much improvement. And he doesn't like to eat it.
I would like to treat him with a product with Glucosamine, HA, MSM and Chrondoitin.
I am wondering what the latest thinking is on these products being fed to the IR/CUshings horse? SHould I avoid any one or all of them or risk an laminitic episode?
THanks for your reply,
Josey

Hi Josey

While it is a potent supplement, Injected glucosamine can make it worse. The jury is out on oral supplementation but many members have seen worsening IR using oral glucosamine.

MSM may interfere with copper absorption so the group recommends not using it if at all possible.

Goal is to avoid laminitis at all costs. Often laminitis is diagnosed as arthritis. You may have already thought of this but wanted to throw it out for consideration. Some horses could be really laminitic vs arthritic or could have a combination of both going on.

What members are reporting as the best approach currently is a bioflavanoid like Movease, HA and chondroitin.

More info on movease here

<http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/message/159864>

and at www.mybesthorse.com. HA and chondroitin cn be purchased there as well or at www.purebulk.com

Not all horses are HA responsive. Getting the products separately will allow you to judge effectiveness better, raise or lower dosages as needed and eliminate one if it's not working.

Hope this helps.

Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003

NewEnglandEquineBalance@...

Shoni has been on an equiflex supplement with chondroitin, msm,glucosamine
for more than 5 years, probably nearer 10 now . We discussed it with the vet
and she was happy for us to give this with the pergolide. She also has one
bute per day now to keep her comfortable - have tried devils claw and a lot
of other things but this is the only thing that keeps her comfortable. The
equiflex doesn’t seem to have any effect on making her more or less prone to
laminitis.
This isn’t scientific - just telling you what we do

claire:-} 

july 10 uk