DefinitelyDressage.com

Thinking ahead for next year. Junior, my original goldhorse, has navicular changes, low ringbone, flat soles, and a host of other arthritic problems. Apparently, 4th of July this year was like a war zone. The day after, I pulled him out of pasture and he was stiff all over. Now he is very very foot sore. So we're dealing with that which is another problem since he's on steroids and can't have Bute or Equioxx so Tylenol is our only option. If he makes it to next year, I would like to sedate him since he's too old and fragile to be galloping around. What is everyone's drug of choice? IV drugs are fine.

I would keep him in a stall over night. I'm not keen on sedating unless he goes crazy and I would never do so loose in a paddock pasture. My elderly pony is high maintenance and has injured himself a few times blasting around in his paddock. He is back yard kept and as much as I liked to leave his stall open 24/7 to his very large private paddock - the next morning I would find a lame pony. Now he stays inside every night with a huge aisle fan running and is very content. My guess is his stall seems to be his secure place maybe the way some dogs feel about their crate. I'm no horse psychic but this works for us.

I think the only sedative that would be good for longer term and the pasture would be Ace. But a horse can blow through ace, it's not a TRUE sedative, just sort of like a xanax for horses.

It won't hurt to give him, but i don't know that it will do much if he's actually afraid.

Thank you for the replies. Unfortunately, I had to put him down yesterday.

Oh no, goldhorse! I am SO sorry!

I’m so sorry. It’s so hard to lose them.

I'm so sorry, goldhorse.

I just read this. Goldhorse, I am so sorry for your loss.