Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) In Horses

Have you noticed your horse not moving as well as they have in the past? Or maybe, they have that look of pain in their eyes that doesn't seem to be linked to any noticeable physical condition. These are subtle signs of osteoarthritis in horses.
 
Horses put a great deal of stress on their joints due to their size and desire to run. When the animal starts to age their joints simply wear out, making it more difficult and even painful to walk and run. The most common cause of this normal progression is osteoarthritis, which is more commonly known as degenerative joint disease.
 
Degenerative joint disease is a progressive deterioration of the joint cartilage and represents the final stage of many bone and joint conditions such as traumatic arthritis, joint fractures, and infective arthritis.
 
The condition itself may range from mild to severe and can produce lameness, especially if treatment is ineffective. There may be varying degrees of excess fluid in the joint, an irregular thickening and scarring of the membranes, and restricted motion of the involved joints. In more severe cases the cartilage may have deteriorated all together causing a bone on bone grinding sound.
 
Degenerative joint disease in horses is normally confirmed with the help of X-rays, which will determine the severity of the condition. If osteoarthritis is present the X-ray will show decreased joint space, bony outgrowths, inflammation of the muscles or tendons, and a hardening and thickening of the tissue below the cartilage. In mild cases, your veterinarian may be able to use an endoscope to determine the amount of damage the joint has sustained.
 
Conventional veterinary medicine treats osteoarthritis in horses primarily by reducing joint pain and stiffness. Drugs used to reduce inflammation such as firocoxib and phenylbutazone or corticosteroids may provide a degree of temporary relief. If these medications fail to achieve their intended purpose surgical fusion may be the last option to restore the animal to its past glory.
 
In summary, when joints start to wear out there are very few good options designed to reverse the condition. For this reason many horse owner have been turning to alternative natural treatments and supplements. Alternative natural treatments for osteoarthritis in horses have shown to an effective way to improve joint and cartilage health without the risk of harmful side effects. They are also considered to be very affordable, especially when considering the results achieved could be long lasting. If you are looking for a safe and effective way to help improve the quality of life for your horse, natural supplementation for degenerative joint disease is an option worth considering.