When describing horses, the word “majestic” often comes to mind. Their flowing manes, proud necks, and bold movements conjure feelings of freedom and awe.
But with this magnificent build comes extra wear and tear. Arthritis in horses can spark up in steeds of any age and fitness level. It manifests as swollen, stiff, and tender joints,1 which diminish mobility.
While arthritis in horses has no cure, never fear: You have a stable-full of options for fending off achy joints and keeping your horse roaming free.
What Is Horse Arthritis?
Bones don’t just click together like legos. In between each intersection lies a slick and tough tissue called cartilage which cushions the impact as your horse moves.1 Over time, however, this defensive front wears away, resulting in painful movement and swollen joints.
Lameness (especially in older horses) usually stems from arthritis. Competitive horses face even higher odds of developing joint problems due to the added strain they endure when jumping or racing.2
Horse arthritis comes in two main forms3:
- Traumatic – Often triggered by a specific injury or infection (like sepsis)
- Chronic – Ongoing and degenerative, stemming from normal wear and tear
If acute arthritis goes untreated, it can permanently scar the joint and produce lifelong issues.
Symptoms of Arthritis in Horses
Joint degeneration takes time, and symptoms appear gradually. It’s safe to suspect arthritis if you notice4:
- Diminished pace
- Stiff or swollen joints
- Changes in gait
- Cracking sounds as your horse moves
If these symptoms persist, you should ask your vet to conduct a “lameness exam.” During the exam, the doctor will observe your horse as it performs its natural motions such as trotting. They’ll then complete a thorough evaluation of the joints, both visually and through manipulation.5
If they suspect arthritis, your vet will likely conduct some combination of the following to confirm your horse’s diagnosis6:
- CT scan
- X-Ray
- MRI
- Arthroscopy
- Blood testing
If your horse receives a positive diagnosis, don’t panic! You now have the necessary clarity to craft a treatment plan.
Signs of Advanced Arthritis in Horses
As arthritis progresses in horses, the symptoms become more pronounced, and it may require more intensive intervention. Keep an eye out for signs that arthritis has reached an advanced stage, including:
- Severe Lameness: Your horse may have trouble walking or may limp significantly, especially after exercise.
- Muscle Atrophy: Due to decreased mobility, muscles may shrink as they are used less frequently.
- Persistent Swelling: Swelling may be constant and may not reduce with rest.
- Reduced Appetite or Activity: A horse in pain may not want to eat as much or may show disinterest in their usual activities.
If these signs appear, it’s essential to consult your vet as soon as possible. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your horse’s quality of life.
Top Horse Arthritis Treatments
Your specific treatment path will depend on the severity of your steed’s symptoms, but the main goals remain the same for any horse:
- Reduce pain
- Promote easy movement
To do so, try a combination of the following therapies (in consultation with your vet). Keep in mind that there’s no “right” mixture of techniques. Every horse will respond differently.
#1 Regular Exercise
When you discover your horse suffers from arthritis, your first instinct might be to have them take it easy. After all, further movement will only wear away more of that precious cartilage, right?
While it’s true that the onset of arthritis might result in some riding time off, that doesn’t mean they should stay cooped up in their stall. In fact, decreased activity increases stiffness and pain. Regular exercise7:
- Kickstarts circulation – Improved blood flow helps heal battered tissue
- Strengthens muscles – Sturdier muscles better support skeletal weight
- Burns fat – A trimmer figure equals less work for weary joints
- Stimulates cartilage growth – Light impact invites cartilage and bone growth
Keep in mind: Balance is key. Too little activity will worsen the problem, but pushing your horse too hard will make matters worse.
Start slow and gradually increase activity levels, taking note of how your equine pal responds. If they seem eager to go and show fewer signs of discomfort, then you’ve got yourself a rodeo.
#2 Anti-Inflammatories
Your vet may prescribe medication to cool off the sizzle in your horse’s joints. Anti-inflammatories help take the edge off and allow your horse to engage in exercise and healthy activity.
Since staying active plays a critical role in overall health, anti-inflammatory drugs make excellent weapons against arthritic symptoms.
Consult with your veterinarian on the length of time you should administer these antiinflammatories, as every prescription may be different.
#3 Food Supplements
An arthritic horse won’t always be fond of exercise (at least at first), but they likely won’t turn down food. (I mean…who would, right?) This renders their feed the ideal delivery route for a healing boost.
Some nutraceuticals show promise in reducing the pain and inflammation brought on by arthritic joints. A few common choices include8:
- Glucosamine
- Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables
- Resveratrol
- Devils claw
- Garlic
Horse owners can find various combinations of these nutraceuticals in over-the-counter (OTC) feed supplements. Simply add the recommended amount to their daily feed.
#4 Steroids
Intra-articular steroids (those injected inside the joint), have shown positive results when it comes to arthritis relief.9 Once active, steroids help soothe inflammation and restore more natural posture to achy equines.
One study indicated that injections of triamcinolone (a corticosteroid) reduced lameness in 87.8% of horses that received the treatment.10 Over 50% of the group regained former activity levels within 3 months of the injections.10
While steroids can be a powerful tool for alleviating arthritis symptoms, you should always consult a licensed veterinarian specializing in equine lameness and sports medicine.
Plus, steroid injections can sometimes trigger problems like joint flare and laminitis (a painful hoof ailment),10 so keep an eye out for any sudden changes or fresh symptoms following an injection.
#5 Equine Liniment
As an equestrian, you’ve probably turned to horse liniment a time or two. It contains a mixture of chemical cooling agents, such as:
- Menthol
- Peppermint oil
- Witch hazel
- Aloe vera
As this soothing mixture makes contact with angry joints and rigid limbs, it loosens the knots and ices down the sizzle. Go with a dialed-in formula like Vetericyn Equine Liniment for lightning-quick results. Don’t be surprised if you hear whinnies of joy after applying it!
#6 Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
These days, magnets aren’t only for sticking on the fridge. Magnetic fields potentially hold immense healing power.
PEMF therapy supports cellular healing by boosting cell metabolism.11 It does so by encasing the affected area in a lightly pulsating electromagnetic field. Many horse owners adore PEMF therapy because it’s:
- Painless
- Drug-free
- Non-invasive
As therapy progresses, a PEMF device can promote tissue healing and restore lost mobility. Even non-arthritic horses stand to benefit: PEMF offers an excellent option for competition recovery and soft tissue rehab.
If you’d prefer a non-invasive treatment path, do your horse a favor and research equine PEMF in your area.
Preventing Arthritis in Horses
What’s better than effective treatments? Preventing arthritis from developing in the first place! While advanced age makes some degree of arthritis inevitable, there’s plenty you can do to keep your horse’s joints healthy and limber.
Joint degeneration often begins long before symptoms appear. A horse’s lifestyle in their younger years (how they’re nourished, ridden, and trained) often predicts the severity and timing of any later issues.12 Luckily, this means caring owners hold the power to keep their steeds cantering with ease well into their sunset years.
#1 Maintain a Healthy Diet
Cartilage starts as food. Weird way to think about it, right? But as the saying goes, you are what you eat. This means that a healthy, balanced diet, especially during the foal and yearling stage (less than 2 years old),13 plays a stallion-sized role in your horse’s development.
A top-notch menu for equine youth should include14:
- Ample calcium and phosphorus (critical for springy joints)
- Top quality forage (this mirrors natural feeding habits and promotes healthy guts)
- Plenty of fresh water
- High-end nutritional supplements
Remember: It’s okay if your yearling looks skinny (as in, ribs showing). It’s a sign of ideal weight and prevents joint strain.
#2 Slow and Steady Training
If you have a rambunctious and agile foal on your hands, you might be tempted to rush them into riding. However, young joints lack the resilience of mature cartilage, and going too hard too fast can inflict permanent damage.
Different breeds (and individual horses) handle exertion differently. Research your specific breed’s tendencies and gradually raise their workload. Keep an eye open for any signs of pain or lameness and dial activity back if you spot red flags.
When crafting exercise plans, opt for low-impact activities like:
- Walking
- Trotting on level ground
- Swimming
If you’re worried that leaving a young horse unridden might complicate later training, focus on groundwork and obedience. This helps establish a relationship and smooth the path to competitive work.
#3 Improve Those Hooves
Relative to the gargantuan proportions of a full-grown colt, hooves are tiny little things. Even so, they must support hundreds of pounds of muscle and sinew.
Show those hooves some love and keep them well-trimmed and professionally shod. Compromised hooves can lead to unnatural weight distribution and take a toll on joints. Keep up regular visits to the farrier and maintain a stable, even surface for exercise.
Since microorganisms can wreak havoc in the hoof cavity, you should also give them regular rinses with a high-end hoof cleanser, like Vetericyn Hoof Soak. In addition to using a cleanser, hoof cleaning should be part of your daily routine to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria that can lead to infections.
When to Consider Retirement
Knowing when it’s time to let go of your competitive horse can be challenging. While it’s tough to face, considering retirement is essential for your horse’s health and happiness. If your horse’s arthritis has become unmanageable despite treatments, or if their mobility continues to worsen, retirement may be the best option.
Retirement doesn’t mean your horse has to stop being useful. They can transition to lighter work, such as trail riding or simply being a companion. The key is to provide them with a lifestyle that minimizes stress on their joints while keeping them content and comfortable.
If you’re relocating a retired horse or moving them to a more arthritis-friendly environment, ensure horse transporting is handled with care. Long journeys can be stressful on aging joints, so opt for well-padded trailers, frequent rest stops, and a calm, steady pace to reduce discomfort.
Keep Those Joints on Point, With Vetericyn
At Vetericyn, we believe all horse lovers should be free to savor their steed’s majesty without fretting about arthritis. By following these tips, you can rest assured that all that jumping and showing won’t grate against their joints.
And our equine devotion extends beyond bone health. We offer a corral’s worth of equine wellness products, from our FoamCare Equine Medicated Shampoo (an ironclad defense against ringworm, dry skin, and girth itch) to the purifying powers of Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Eye Care Kit.
We understand the rush of riding and jumping and know the galloping joy a healthy horse brings. That’s why we’re here to help you level up your equine health. Explore our offerings today!
Reviewed by C. Scott Van Winkle
Scott has been with Innovacyn for the past 11 years and has been working within the Burlingame portfolio of companies for the past 23 years. Scott brings a diverse background to Innovacyn. With an upbringing as the 5th generation on his families cattle ranch, Scott has a passion for animal health and the continuous improvement surrounding agricultural practices. Scott earned marketing and business management degrees from the University of Idaho and holds an Executive MBA from Pepperdine University.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic. Arthritis. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
- National Library of Medicine. The horse as a model of naturally occurring osteoarthritis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3626203/
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Joint Disorders in Horses. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/bone-joint-and-muscle-disorders-in-horses/joint-disorders-in-horses#Arthritis_v3219473
- PetMD. Arthritis in Horses. https://www.petmd.com/horse/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_hr_arthritis
- Merck Veterinary Manual. The Lameness Examination in Horses. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses-overview-and-examination/the-lameness-examination-in-horses
- Animal Therapeutics. Treatment Options for Arthritis in Horses. https://animaltherapeutics.com.au/horse-arthritis-treatment/
- Equus Magazine. The type of exercise that benefits arthritic horses. https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/consultants-52915
- Center for Equine Health. Supplementing For Joint Health: What the Science Says. https://cehhorsereport.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/supplementing-joint-health-what-science-says
- National Library of Medicine. Intra-articular Corticosteroids for Knee Pain-What Have We Learned from the Equine Athlete and Current Best Practice. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30562835/
- BEVA Equine Veterinary Journal. Intra-articular treatment with triamcinolone compared with triamcinolone with hyaluronate: A randomised open-label multicentre clinical trial in 80 lame horses. https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.12383
- East County Large and Small Animal Practice. PEMF-Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy. https://www.eclap.org/animal_services/pemf-electro-magnetic-therapy/
- Equus Magazine. How to Prevent Arthritis in Horses. https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/prevent-arthritis-in-horses
- Better Planet Education. Horses – Breeding and Life Stages https://betterplaneteducation.org.uk/factsheets/horses-breeding-and-life-stages
- University of Minnesota Extension. Feeding the weanling and yearling horse. https://extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/feeding-weanling-and-yearling-horse#optimal-growth-1529510
- Equus Magazine. 4 keys to joint health in older horses. https://equusmagazine.com/diagnosis/older-horses-joints-healthy
