Arthritis in Horses

Arthritis is caused by the wear and tear of cartilage—the tough, flexible tissue that is the sliding, shock-absorbing surface between the bones that meet at a joint.1 Over time, compression and stress wear away the protective cartilage. Arthritis most commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the legs. Extra stress or injury to any joint can lead to arthritis.

Specific sports can make a horse more susceptible to arthritis in certain joints due to repetitive concussive force. Certain types of conformation in a horse can also make it more prone to the development of arthritis. However, as all horses age, as with humans and other animals, repetitive wear and tear cause damage of varying degrees to high motion and weight-bearing joints.

Equine arthritis can affect any mobile joint in the body, including the knees, shoulder joints, spine, fetlocks, hocks, and stifles. These are all weight-bearing joints. The fetlocks, knees, coffin bone (within the hoof), and hocks are most commonly affected.

Diagnosing Horses With Arthritis

To diagnose your horse with arthritis, you will need to visit a veterinarian. The vet will perform a full body examination, review medical history, and conduct a series of X-rays. Your vet might also request a sample of joint fluid to check for infection. Other diagnostic procedures may include MRIs, a nuclear bone scan, nerve block examinations, endoscopy, and blood and urine tests. 

Treatment

The goal of arthritis management is to reduce the inflammation in the affected joint, relieve pain, and slow further damage to the joint.2

If you notice that your horse is having any discomfort (even discomfort that wears off quickly), it's a good idea to consult your vet. Your vet may be able to identify arthritis early and slow its progress with drugs that reduce inflammation.