Combating Arthritis in Horses

Arthritis—inflammation of the joints—is common in horses as they age. In fact, arthritis is one of the chief reasons athletic horses can no longer perform at maximal levels, and in many horses, arthritic discomfort is a factor in early retirement. 

Outward signs of arthritis are pain, heat, swelling, and reduced range of motion in a joint. Examination by ultrasound, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or arthroscopy often shows changes in the bones and cartilage surfaces within an arthritic joint.

Prevention and treatment of arthritis go hand in hand. Simple things like scheduling routine hoof care, leveling stalls so horses can stand on a flat surface, and using protective boots to prevent leg injuries can help a horse’s joints stay healthy longer by avoiding stress from misalignment. Providing a nutritionally complete diet at all life stages is also important in ensuring the horse has the necessary nutrients to build and maintain bones and cartilage. However, regardless of management, arthritis affects a high percentage of horses, and the same practices can help to keep arthritic horses more comfortable as the disease progresses.

Treatment methods run all the way from the simple, time-honored practice of icing or cooling a horse’s legs with cold water after a hard workout to cutting-edge techniques that encourage the regrowth of eroded cartilage in some joints. Inflammation and pain are often relieved with the use of NSAIDs, and medications such as polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronate sodium, and corticosteroids are used to treat discomfort and degenerative processes within joints.

Research continues on the newest discoveries such as the use of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma, treatments that have shown promise in facilitating tissue and cartilage repair.