Tell us about your horse
Jolly is a 16 yr old OTTB
What is your Discipline?
3-day - Eventer, pleasure riding
Do you and your horse compete? If so, how often and at what level?
I bought Jolly with the intention to compete. He is a seasoned event horse. But we haven't made it to one show because of intermittent lameness and issues. The video below is a compilation of videos over the past 2 years of the soundness issues.
Has your horse’s unsoundness kept you out of any competitions?
Yes.
What current issues is your horse suffering from?
I know he has hock arthritis. He was getting injections but they stopped working. He intermittently goes lame. Sometimes front legs, sometimes in the hind end. He is weak in the hind at times and will trip. Canter issues (switching leads behind, bunny hops) lacks impulsion, refuses to go forward at times.
What have you tried so far to help your horse with these issues?
steroid injections, massage, grain free diet, multiple joint supplements, complete hoof rehab (went barefoot) time off.
Has this horse been diagnosed by a Vet?
Yes.
If your horse has had injections, when was the last injection and where?
Hocks 11/2023 but they had stopped working
If you are selected for the Precision Challenge, what results are you hoping for?
I would love to see some consistent soundness. I want to see him more comfortable. I would love for him to be able to play in the pasture without his hind end giving out. If we ever made it back into competition that would be the cherry on top. A happier horse is my main goal.
Began the Precision Challenge on Dec 22, 2024
Jolly started the challenge to address an unknown intermittent lameness in both front and hind end.
Before & After – Check Ups (Observed changes in comfort, movement & disposition)
Week 2 Check In:
I have noticed he seems to not have as much trouble holding up his left hind leg (problem leg). He is moving a little more fluid when free lunged. The biggest changed that I have seen is his attitude. He's always been a "grumpy" horse. But recently he has shown less pain faces and less aversion to being touched and messed with.
Week 4 Check In:
He seems happier and has good energy, or maybe it's because he just doesn't hurt as much and is more willing to move around. He has a good pep in his step, while before it was as if he had cinderblocks tied to his feet.
Week 6 Check In:
Due to being winter I don't have a lot of oppurtunities to ride. However the times that I did he seemed to feel better and move more smoothly. Most noticeably he is not sucking back when leg is added and seems to eager and willing to move forward
PC Journal Notes:
2 Weeks into Trial:
Doing well, had to work on getting him to eat the PJS. The first time I fed it, it was not mixed in well and I think he inhaled some of it. Now I have to mix it in pretty well as he is somewhat suspicious.
30 Days into Trial: He is definitely less adverse to his "sensitive" areas such as lower neck, girth area and chest. He is much better to take blankets on and off.
45 Days into Trial:
I have seen a big change in his attitude. Blanketing is now
a non-issue, he doesn't pin ears while being groomed and is asking for lots of scratches and rubs. Before he always sulked away from touch especially near his neck, shoulders and chest.
Summary:
Honestly, I wasn't expecting these results. Watching back the before video you can just see the tension he is holding in his upper body and how unhappy he was to move forward the fact that he is moving around on half slush/half frozen ground and awful windy Blizzard without being in work and moving like he is. Just wow!
I was skeptical That PJS would work only because of many other joint products I have tried not doing what they promised. So to see distinct results in the winter in 45 days I am quite surprised and very happy he seems to finally have some relief from his old man aches and pains. I have already ordered and received his next bag and I am very excited to see him months from now.
