With the changing seasons, both humans and horses notice changes in their bodies related to physical fitness and mobility. Whether based on weather conditions, exercise, or changing health, most mammals are subject to stiffness and aches and pains in their joints.
Horse trotting in paddock on a cold winter's day.
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that affects performance and pleasure horses.
© 2017 by Smerikal
Your horse doesn’t have to be a senior or have pre-existing problems to develop cold weather stiffness, although those factors can certainly make it worse.
Based on veterinary science, SmartPak, offers insight into the causes of stiffness and aches and pains that affect the movement and mobility of horses and humans alike and ways to manage their effects.
"You’ve recently noticed that your horse seems stiff, and you think it might be arthritis. You decide to do some research to see if your theory holds water. Some sources say it might be Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), others suggest Osteoarthritis (OA), but all the symptoms sound the same. No need to panic—osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease, and arthritis are just different names for the same thing.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is progressive and permanent deterioration of articular cartilage, the specific type of cartilage that lines the ends of bones where they come together to form a joint, such as your horse’s fetlock. Healthy articular cartilage provides a smooth, slippery surface that allows free movement and contributes to the shock-absorbing properties of the joint. As arthritis sets in, articular cartilage becomes compromised, which disrupts the normally smooth surface, causing stiffness and discomfort.
Is my Horse at Risk?
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that affect performance and pleasure horses. In fact, arthritis is believed to be responsible for up to 60% of all lameness. The joints most often affected by arthritis include the knee, fetlock, coffin, hock, and pastern (where it is often referred to as “ringbone”).
A 1999 study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal identified arthritic changes in a herd of wild mustangs, which led the researchers to conclude that arthritis was a natural part of the aging process in horses. In essence, this means that it’s not just horses in heavy work that are at risk—all horses are at risk for developing arthritis, even those in light work or no work at all.
While all horses are susceptible to developing arthritis, there are some factors that can increase your horse’s risk, including consistent stress from riding, acute injury, and poor conformation. Senior horses are also more likely to show arthritic changes. While there is no sure-fire way of preventing arthritis altogether, there are steps you can take to help keep your horse going strong for as long as possible.
What are the Warning Signs of Arthritis?
A horse that appears stiff with uneven gaits and a shortened stride could be displaying signs of arthritis pain. Reluctance to pick up, keep, or change a lead in the canter or lope may also be signs of arthritis. In addition, horses that work at speed, such as jumpers, reiners, and barrel horses, may become unwilling to stop or turn. If you have started to notice some of these signs in your own horse, be sure to talk with your veterinarian.
How is a Horse Diagnosed with Arthritis?
Diagnosis begins with a complete history and physical examination by a veterinarian, including palpation. Next, the veterinarian observes the horse for soundness (with and without flexion tests) while jogged in-hand, lunged, and/or ridden. Nerve blocks may be helpful in localizing arthritis pain. Once a problem in a particular joint is identified, it may be examined further through X-rays (radiography), ultrasound, bone scan (nuclear scintigraphy), CT scan, and/or MRI.
If your horse has been diagnosed with arthritis, prescription medications may be an important part of your horse’s treatment and management program. Consult with your veterinarian to see if your horse could benefit from intra-articular (IA), intravenous (IV) and/or intramuscular (IM) joint medications.
Supplements that Support Healthy Joints
When it comes to supporting healthy joints, many veterinarians agree that there is a role for both prescription joint medications and oral joint supplements. While prescription medications are designed to help reduce inflammation and treat the signs of joint problems, oral joint supplements provide key ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid (HA) to offer daily support for healthy joint fluid and tissues.
In fact, an eight-year study† demonstrated that the use of an oral glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplement resulted in the decreased need for IA hock injections to maintain soundness in a group of hunter/jumper show horses. While this particular study refers to the injection of hyaluronic acid and/or steroids directly into the joint, the researchers’ findings support the general idea that there is a place for both prescription injectables and daily oral supplements when it comes to maintaining your horse’s joint health.
How do Joint Supplements Work?
Your horse’s body is designed to manage the normal “wear and tear” to joints that comes with being a horse in its natural state (constant roaming throughout the day, etc.). The increased demands of riding, training, and competing can put additional stress on your horse’s joint tissues.
Joint supplements help ensure your horse’s body has a consistent, ready supply of the ingredients it needs to cope with the stress of exercise and maintain healthy joints. And because joint supplements are designed to support normal, healthy joint tissues, the best time to start supplementing is BEFORE your horse starts displaying signs of joint problems."
To read the entire article and for more information related to arthritis and other joint issues see the SmartPak website.
Note: Article is updated version of post on EquiMed.com in 2018.