Horse joint and arthritis conditions can chiefly be characterized by a condition called Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can cause lameness in horses that are afflicted with this condition. Horse joint and arthritis conditions such as Osteoarthritis develop when cartilage that protects the bones of a joint are destroyed. These afflictions may be caused by injury, abnormal growth patterns, loose joints, or hereditary factors. Horses become most vulnerable to the effects of arthritic conditions once they reach the age of fifteen, as their cartilage begins to naturally break down at this stage of their lives. In addition to the age factor, other contributing causes may be excessive work or a lack of physical fitness. It is important to remember to care properly for your horse, and ensure that he is not over worked, and gets adequate rest and exercise.

There are certain symptoms that you can look for to easily recognize the presence of horse joint and arthritis conditions. Such symptoms typically include pain, stiffness, swelling, bumps or lumps, and decreased performance. Should you recognize any of these symptoms in your horse, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to obtain treatment. Rest, ice packs, and anti-inflammatories may well take care of the problem, particularly if it is diagnosed early in its developing stages. Horse joint and arthritis conditions, when treated efficiently and quickly, can easily be contained. On rare occasions, surgery may be required to correct some arthritic conditions. These surgeries are frequently arthroscopic, however, which means that it is a much less invasive procedure that standard surgeries.

If your particular horse joint and arthritis conditions are not treatable by these simple methods, your veterinarian may recommend the use of corticosteroids as a non-invasive alternative. Cortisone, a commonly prescribed corticosteroid for equines, helps to reduce severe inflammation and swelling by providing an almost immediate relief for your horse.

To reduce your horse's risk of developing horse joint and arthritis conditions, make sure that your horse not only receives proper rest and physical activity, but also carefully manage his diet and make sure that he is shoed properly on a regular schedule. Though there is nothing that can be done to prevent the onset of age related horse joint and arthritis conditions, you can better ensure that your horse is able to lead a life free of arthritic problems if you follow these simple guidelines in the care of your animal.