Degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis (OA), is one of the most prevalent issues in older horses. Whether you have an upper-level performance horse or a trusted trail partner, it can assist you in making sound choices to maintain their long-term well-being and activity level if you are able to recognize early OA. The sooner you can identify the warning signs, the more prepared you are to begin planning and adjusting your horse’s daily routine and lifestyle particularly if you are taking care of a foundered horse or horse reaching their golden years.
Let’s have a look at how to spot osteoarthritis early on, what to look out for with regards to changes, and how to consider their future needs, including the potential role of a senior horse supplement.
What is Osteoarthritis in Horses?
Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive loss of the cartilage in a horse’s joints. It may result in stiffness of the joints, decrease in range of motion, and behavioral alterations, eventually. OA is most frequently seen in older horses, but it can occur in horses at any age especially in those with high-work history, joint trauma, or metabolic illnesses like laminitis (an illness in the foundered horse).
It is crucial to realize that OA doesn’t happen overnight. Gradually apparent changes in performance and behavior are most likely the very first indicators.
Early Signs of Osteoarthritis in Horses
Below are a few of the subtle signs to observe while doing daily care, riding, or turnout:
Less Willingness to Move
A horse that once trotted eagerly to the gate may start lagging behind or avoiding movement altogether. Slower starts, hesitation in transitions, or reluctance to canter could all signal early joint discomfort.
Stiffness after Rest
Does the horse become stiff following an overnight stall or a lengthy trailer transport? Although stiffness can result from numerous factors, repetitive pattern stiffening could be the harbinger of early OA. This is particularly probable in the aging equine, which may already be experiencing decreasing joint fluidity on a general scale.
Shortened Stride
Observe how your horse is moving on a lunge line or under saddle. Is that one side shorter? Is rhythm irregular? Minute changes in gait can cause joint pain.
Changes in Behavior
Discomfort horses may acquire new behaviors: pinning the ears when being groomed, fighting the saddle on, or being unusually “grumpy” under saddle. These changes are all too readily confused with training issues but are often your horse’s attempt to express pain.
Changes in the Joints
Any of the following investigation: swollen joints, warmth over joints, or strange noises when your horse moves. Though not directly related to OA, they are definitely worth further observation by a professional.
Who’s at Greater Risk?
Despite any horse’s ability to develop changing joints as it ages, some are more susceptible than others:
- Old horses automatically wear out their cartilage.
- Performance horses on high-intensity training programs might discover that they are subjected to added stress in their joints.
- Horses with founder can alter posture to allow them to compensate for pain in the hooves, subjecting other joints to excessive stress in the process.
- Horses with joint trauma or chronic inflammation in the past can become prone to degeneration in the affected locations.
If your horse is in one of the above categories, observation while grooming, exercising, and turning out is in order.
Assessing Change over Time
To identify OA before it takes a toll on mobility, think ahead. Monitor your horse’s attitude, movement, and general condition in a journal. Monitor their stride, appetite, attitude, and performance for changes.
Regular check-ups for lameness are also arranged by most horse owners with their equine veterinarian. Even when the horse seems to be perfectly sound, these check-ups can detect joint sensitivity or early wear not evident on the outside.
If you have a foundered horse in your care, observe closely how they move and shift weight. Compensatory movements overburden healthy joints, so early intervention is vital.
Long-Term Maintenance of Joint Health
Osteoarthritis is an unavoidable consequence of age in the majority of horses, but there are some aspects which you can still arrange to promote the working of joints and comfort. These can involve:
- Tailor-made exercise programs to maintain joint mobility without overload.
- Care of hooves to yield balanced posture and minimize stress.
- Turnout periods permitting normal, low-impact movement.
An effectively planned feeding program maintaining weight control and reducing metabolic stress.
Certain owners also include a senior horse supplement within their care regime. These supplements are not cures or treatments but may offer specific nutritional support for cartilage, joint tissue, and mobility in older horses.
As with any modification in maintaining your horse, consult your veterinarian initially when introducing a new supplement or altering exercise schedules particularly where a horse that has foundered or one with a history of joint issues is involved.
Final thoughts
Early osteoarthritis detection is not about discovering a quick fix, but rather about persistent and consistent monitoring of your horse. It’s through having the proper combination of awareness, routine, and support that you are able to make informed choices that support long-term motion and quality of life.
If you are considering adding a senior horse supplement to your horse’s diet, you might want to try something like OptiWize Collagen Plus as part of a total nutritional plan. Every horse is unique, and days spent observing your horse’s condition, visiting your vet, and design your plan along the way may be the key to their aging.
