Managing and treating equine osteoarthritis
Tags
Tags
Treating joint pain is vital for keeping horses comfortable and performing at their best.
Competition horses take on an incredible amount of pressure. A horse’s legs are extremely stressed during both the push-off and landing when jumping. Speed increases the pressure. When a horse rounds the barrel at a fast speed, the majority of their weight shifts to just two legs.
To really put this kind of joint pressure into perspective, think of it this way. During a gallop, a horse’s front leg supports 2.5 times its body weight – with every step. That means that as the horse trains and conditions, its joints are absorbing roughly the weight of a mid-sized car, over and over again.
This repetitive stress from training and competing can lead to minor damage in the horse’s joints that builds over time and may lead to equine osteoarthritis. So, for these horses to continue to perform at their best and maintain a good quality of life, managing their joint health is a priority.
What is equine osteoarthritis?
It’s a chronic, degenerative disease that results in inflammation of the connective tissue that allows the joint to move smoothly and absorb shock from movement. The cartilage at the joints doesn’t get its own blood or nerve supply, which means that once it’s damaged, it can’t rebuild itself. Because of this breakdown, a horse’s joints will experience more friction and inflammation, causing pain, stiffness and potentially, lameness.
Your horse may not show symptoms of equine osteoarthritis in the early stages of joint degeneration, so be sure to pay attention to whether they’re acting as though they’re stiff, even if that fades as they warm up. If you suspect your horse is developing joint problems, seek expert help early. A qualified veterinarian can help assess your horse’s movements, and also perform diagnostic imaging tests (X-rays and ultrasounds) to spot equine osteoarthritis early.
Reining in the pain and stiffness of equine osteoarthritis is possible with support, including a treatment plan from your veterinarian.
To keep your horse comfortable in later stages of joint disease, your veterinarian may also recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), typically administered by mouth daily.