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Michelle Soberalski
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2000 - 1:50 am: |   |
I am a new horse owner and my companion horse for my thoroughbred gelding has some arthritis. He seems to have some soreness in his hips and he stiffens up sometimes if he stands around a long time. I have a script for Bute for him that I use if he seems to be limping but my trainer suggested trying Yucca to see if that helps. Does anyone know anything about Yucca. Will that help. He is a 22 year old quarterhorse gelding.She said that the next thing to try is msm and then if those things do not work we would go to glucosamates(sp). Any advice? He is not going to be ridden alot only some light trail riding. time. I have only had to Bute him a couple of times but I would like for him to be comfy all the time. Will that help the arthritis get better? |
A.F.M. Hyde-Clarke
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2000 - 11:44 am: | |
This is from the site MOTHER NATURE.
YUCCA :
Part used and where grown: The stalk and root are used. This desert tree grows primarily in the southwestern United States and is related to the Joshua tree.In what conditions might yucca be supportive? • osteoarthritis• rheumatoid arthritisHistorical or traditional use: Native Americans used the soapy leaves from yucca for numerous conditions. Poultices or baths were used for skin sores and other diseases as well as for sprains. Inflammation of all sorts, including joint inflammations, and bleeding were also treated with yucca. Some report that the Native Americans washed their hair with yucca to fight dandruff and hair loss.Active constituents: The saponins from yucca are the main medicinal agents in the plant. They have both a water-soluble and fat-soluble end and therefore act like soap. The authors of the study looking at patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis speculate that yucca saponins block release of toxins from the intestines which inhibit normal formation of cartilage.1 An extract of one species of yucca has been found to fight melanoma cells in test tube studies.2 How much should I take? Many people take two capsules or tablets of yucca saponins per day. Up to twice this dose has been used in some cases, and may be required for more severe arthritis. Alternately, one quarter ounce of the root can be boiled in a pint of water for 15 minutes. Drink three to five cups per day. If this causes loose stools, decrease the amount of root in the tea.Are there any side effects or interactions? Yucca and other saponins can cause red blood cells to burst (known as “hemolysis”) in test tubes. The level to which this occurs when the saponins are taken by mouth is unknown. However, yucca is approved for use in foods as a foaming agent (particularly in root beer). Since there have been no reports of problems with hemolysis in root beer drinkers, we can assume that yucca herbal supplements are generally safe.References: 1. Bingham R, Bellew BA, Bellew JG. Yucca plant saponin in the management of arthritis. J Appl Nutr 1975; 27:45-50. 2. Foster S, Duke JA. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants: Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1990.
Cheers,
Alexa
p.S. Also look at other herbal remedies - Herbalwise do one, Hilton Herbs, etc. - for the stiff and older horse. MSM is good - best is probably "Flex-Free". |
Sheila Vessey
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2000 - 12:12 pm: | |
Hi gals!
I've been using a homeopathic vet for over a year now and she's a great believer in Yucca. It's bascially an anti-infammatory and very good for arthritis (it's a safe herb). My girlfriend uses it on her QH who has navicular and it works wonderfully. I would start with 1 tablespoon twice a day in his feed. With it, I would add 2 oz of apple cider vinegar (try to use the natural stuff without the preservatives) to his drinking water daily. If he's outside 24 hours and it's a general access water tub, then try adding it to his feed and see if he'll eat it. Start with a small amount as it has a very strong taste. Apple cider vinegar is wonderful for inflammation. I would try these two things, without the bute, and see if they make a difference (give it a couple weeks to kick in). You can obtain the yucca and the apple cider vinegar from most health food stores. Good luck! |
Michelle Soberalski
| | Posted on Sunday, Jan 16, 2000 - 3:19 pm: | |
Hi ladies!
Thanks for the advice. I will try the Yucca and cider and see what that does for him and go from there. I will let ya know. Thanks Michelle |
Debby
Member
Username: Gr82bme
Post Number: 19
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 - 5:03 pm: | |
Michelle
I too use Yucca for my horse. He has a bad stifle & arthritis. I don't know the difference in the strengths though. Some say 75 % & some are more or less. Maybe Dr. O can help us determine the amounts. Hope the yucca works for you. It seems to have helped my Morgan
Debby |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9386
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 - 6:19 am: | |
Hello all,
There is no scientific support for this use of Yucca, so I really do not have a dose recommendation. If you feel it is helping probably best is to follow the label instructions on the product. Better supported products that are helpful with arthritis are given in the article, » Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of Joints » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview.
DrO |
Christine C. Mills in NC
Member
Username: Chrism
Post Number: 984
Registered: 4-1999
| | Posted on Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 - 1:15 pm: | |
My 20 yo mare is starting to come out a small bit stiff when we ride on cold days. My vet suggested first trying any 3 way oral supplement with glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. If that doesn't seem the make the small difference I need, the next step up would be an oral supplement with hyuronic (sp?) acid, too. After reading a bit in The Horse Journal and snooping around the internet, it seems that if HA is going to help, it will just as well when given orally as injected. I noticed in The HJ testing, Chondrogen EQ oral supplement gave the most benefit, improving the average lameness grade on a five point scale by 1.5.
The HJ article also said that regular exercise is important and that the horses the showed the least improvement were pensioners.
So, that is my 2 cents to add. Will let you know what I observe (if anything) with my mare.
Cheers. |
Sally Payette
Member
Username: 1sally
Post Number: 87
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Nov 1, 2003 - 9:28 am: | |
Hi Ladies,
At about 32, I started by Arab stallion on CortaFlex with amazing results in about 1 week. However, at 34 he began exhibiting what I can only describe as lack of coordination in the rear legs at the trot only which progressed fairly fast. He even fell at the trot on the lunge line during an exam. After 3 Vets (with 3 different diagnosis') a call to Cornell and $1,500 later, I put him on Adequan i.m.. After a "load" period, he now gets 1 shot every 5 weeks and is doing great, running around & bellowing at the girls. He is now 36 and in great shape although totally retired. My vet says I have found the fountain of youth, (hmmm, wish I could find it for myself, LOL). I buy the Adequan im at Medi-Vet in La., which keeps the cost down, around $37 a shot. By the way, I forgot to mention - no side effects. Good luck with whatever you try.
Sally
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Donna Ryan
New Member
Username: Rckymtn
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Nov 3, 2003 - 4:49 pm: | |
What is the differance between Glucosamine Sulfate and Glucosamine Hydrochoride? One is much more expensive and most of the research just says Glucosamine so I haven't had any luck finding out which one is better for Navicular problems.
Thanks,
Donna |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9407
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2003 - 7:26 am: | |
It is currently unknown if one formulation is superior to another so we recommend you go for the best price.
DrO |
Christine E. Nicholas
Member
Username: Cnichola
Post Number: 12
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2003 - 9:49 am: | |
2 years ago my then 21-year old Arabian gelding started adding a "skip step" before most of his jumps. I thought this indicated that he might be a little sore in the hocks, so I put him on Equinyl CM and the skip step disappeared. No one on our hunter-jumper circuit can believe that this horse is 23 years old. Of course, in deference to his aging body, we keep his jumping to 2'6" but he's full of energy and happy to be ridden. I think it's manufactured by Vita Flex and has glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and Ester C in it (although I haven't read the label in a long time and it's out in the barn). I buy it from American Livestock Supply on-line because it's lots cheaper than buying it locally. |
