Horse joint health is an important part of caring for your horse’s overall well-being, whether your horse is young or old. Proper care for your horse’s joints starts with an understanding of how the joints work, what causes joint problems, how to avoid these problems, and how to correct or treat them when they occur.

Horses’ joints, like those of humans, are filled with fluid that helps lubricate the movement of the bones in the joint. Joint fluid should be thick and viscous in order to keep the joint moving smoothly. When this joint fluid becomes thin, it is no longer as effective in lubricating the joint. This can cause pain and inflammation in the joint, since the cartilage is no longer as well protected. The body responds to this lack of protection by building additional bone to stabilize the joint.

The best way to ensure horse joint health is to care for your horse from the very start of its life. This includes ensuring pregnant mares get all the vitamins and minerals they need to develop healthy foals. As your foal grows up, keep her weight in an optimal range for her size. Overweight horses place additional stress on their joints, which can lead to poor horse joint health.

Once your horse is old enough to exercise and begin a full training schedule (usually around four years of age), be sure he is receiving antioxidants in his diet. These can come from natural sources, such as the skin of apples, as well as supplements. As a general rule, the closer a supplement is to its natural form the healthier it is for your horse. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that your horse produces when he exercises hard. It is believe these free radicals play a strong role in reducing the viscosity of joint fluid, leading to poor joint health.

If you suspect your horse has joint problems, consult your vet. There are many treatments that can help, especially if they are started early. Signs of poor horse joint health include lameness, swelling, and noticeable warmth in the affected joint or joints. Left untreated, joint problems can cause painful bone spurs and lead to rheumatoid arthritis. Good horse joint health is dependent on preventive care, early detection of potential problems, accurate diagnosis, and prompt treatment. Well cared for, your horse’s joints are designed to provide a lifetime of pain-free movement. Proper horse joint health helps ensure this.