The DOs And DON’Ts Of Managing For Healthy Joints

lubricated by pushing synovial fluid through their spaces.
Of course a few weeks of relative rest between competition seasons wont cause a horse to lose enough condition to threaten joint health. However prolonged periods of inactivity can. Its not just the lack of movement during these periods thats problematic but also the risk of stress and injury when work resumes. It is particularly difficult to bring an older horse back into fitness. And the challenge increases if the horse has a touch of normal agerelated arthritis.
Yearround fitness
Commit to keeping your horse active and fit yearround. Keep him on a regular exercise schedule and turn him out with an active herd as much as possible. Also try to maintain this schedule as he ages even and especially if he does develop arthritis.
Your first instinct may be to leave a stiff or slightly creaky horse in his stall to recover. But remember that physical activity is critical to keeping arthritis in check. This doesnt mean you have to keep an achy horse in a rigorous training program though.
Regular turnout in a large space with a friendly herd is an important and effective part of managing arthritis and is easy on the horse. If regular turnout isnt possible a sensible riding schedule or handwalking is far better for an arthritic horse than standing still.
DO keep your horse at a healthy weight
Extra pounds take a toll on joints. It doesnt matter if an obese horse is fit or athletic or if he doesnt do muchthe extra weight an overweight horse must bear with each step multiplies the stresses related to any activity.
Commit to keeping your horse active and fit yearround. Adobe Stock
Consider the tendency of draft horses to develop the arthritic conditions sidebone and ringbone the sheer size of these horses makes them susceptible even