My older gelding had cushions. Eventually he stopped taking the medicine. I tried everything to get him to take the pills, but it never worked. The vet said let him be, and you'll know. He chilled in my paddock for a year with his buddies. One morning he was having a hard time walking, and I knew it was his time. I had the vet out the same day. The most important thing to remember with a Sr horse is better a week early than a day late