Everything You Need To Know About Horses

Horses With Arthritis

Arthritis is the curse of many older horses.

When it comes to managing arthritis conditions, most horses fare better if they receive regular exercise, as opposed to being rested for several days and then expected to work on weekends. It is better to exercise at a level appropriate to the horse, don’t expect him to go show jumping or galloping, but gentle hacking is likely to be ok.

Your horse may be better kept outside, rather than being stabled at night where he will stiffen up. You can use a number of feed supplements, from the old fashioned but very good cod-liver oil, to modern preparations containing products such as glucosamine.

Basic nutrition should not be ignored. Your horse should receive an appropriate, balanced diet, designed to keep his weight to an acceptable level. There is no point in expecting a less than perfect joint to support and carry unnecessary kilos.

Pay particular attention to your horse’s shoeing as there are several things farriers can do to help a horse’s action. For example, if spavin is the problem, a lateral extension on the shoe may help improve the lameness.

You should also consider what your vet can do. Simple and effective drugs, like bute, are good at relieving pain. This may be advisable in conditions such as spavin, as it allows the horse to continue functioining while the degeneration in the joint proceeds, hopefully, to the point where it fuses, after which it will no longer be painful.

There are also drugs which modify the arthritic inflammatory process, such as PSGAGs drugs. These are expensive, probably disproportionately to their effect but, as part of a combination of treatment options, they can be effective.

Surgery may be an option. In the case of spavin, the affected joint can be destroyed, either by the injection of MIA, or by drilling out the cartlige. This accelerates the fusion of the joint which eventually leads to stabilty and, therefore, relief from the pain and lameness.

Talk with your vet for treatment and options.