IMPORTANT JOINTS
Joint health and durability are essential for every horse, regardless of use. Around 60% of musculoskeletal disorders in horses are caused by joint problems.
Arthritis can be due to overuse/strain or inflammation following trauma. It may result from an injury to a joint (hard impact, fracture, tear) or from excessive or incorrect loading of the joints.
Bacterial arthritis may be caused, for example, by a wound involving the joint, a non-sterile joint injection, or an infection elsewhere outside the joint. Signs of arthritis include decreased performance, lameness, stiffness, swelling and/or heat in the joint. The joint may feel “full” from increased joint fluid, soft tissues near the joint may swell, the horse may have restricted movement, and it may resent flexion. Early inflammation can be difficult to detect and even harder to localize. It may show up, for example, as head tossing, one-sided muscle stiffness, crookedness, teeth grinding, reluctance to move, or sudden refusals at jumps.
Osteoarthritis is often a consequence of arthritis, and arthritis itself may be a secondary condition following inflammation elsewhere in the body. This is why good immune resilience is important in relation to joint inflammation as well—and for example, any medication courses prescribed by a veterinarian must always be administered properly and infections treated all the way through.
Osteoarthritis begins with damage to smooth, slippery articular cartilage. As it wears, cartilage becomes brittle and thinner and may develop small areas of wear, pits, and cracks. This unevenness causes a grating sensation when the joint is moved. As osteoarthritis progresses, cartilage can wear away completely from the joint surfaces and the underlying bone hardens. Damage can also result from age-related wear or intense training, in which the internal structure of the joint breaks down and osteoarthritis begins to develop. If osteoarthritis is diagnosed, the joint is permanently damaged. Treatment focuses on pain relief, preventing additional inflammation or the spread of inflammation, and making movement easier. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include structural weakness, limb conformational faults and resulting uneven loading, excess weight, incorrect training and poor footing, injuries, improper shoeing, age, and inappropriate pro-inflammatory feeding, among others.
Normally, articular cartilage receives nutrients from synovial fluid, which is pumped into the joint during movement. Movement therefore “feeds” the joints, which is why immobility is often the worst option for a horse with joint issues: an unused joint dries out and deteriorates. For this reason, steady, calm exercise—within the limits of pain tolerance—is the best treatment for the joint. Exercise also maintains muscle strength and functional ability and may reduce pain and soreness associated with mild osteoarthritis.
FEEDING A HORSE WITH JOINT ISSUES
A horse’s natural immune defenses can be supported with good basic herbs such as rosehip, sea buckthorn, dandelion, nettle, yarrow, and others.
The purpose of the right nutrition is also to enhance metabolism in the joint area, reduce inflammation, provide appropriate nutrients for joint cartilage, and relieve existing pain. For example, correctly selected herbs can stimulate kidney function and metabolism and also help remove fluids that cause swelling and pain in joints. The right herbs can also help cleanse the body and reduce bacteria, which may reduce the risk of bacteria spreading to the joints. Recovery from joint inflammation can be supported and pain caused by osteoarthritis reduced with well-chosen nutrition.
Joint metabolism can be supported with, for example, chamomile, nettle, celery, rosehip (note: the seeds are essential!), yarrow, dandelion root, milk thistle, burdock root, calendula, and artichoke. These contain minerals needed by cartilage and also support the body’s cleansing processes. Many herbs naturally contain silicon beneficial for joints (diatomaceous earth) and sulfur (MSM), which supports joint care and is needed as a building block for joints. High-quality amino acids (from proteins) and omega fatty acids are also beneficial nutrients for joints, as a higher omega fatty acid intake helps reduce inflammation in the body. One amino acid important for joints is cysteine, which can be obtained, for example, from ginger. Ginger also boosts metabolism and helps remove excess fluid and can be used as a course together with turmeric and licorice root. It is also important to ensure adequate vitamin C intake, as vitamin C improves the absorption of MSM/sulfur. Vitamin E has also been found helpful for joint issues, as it acts as a strong antioxidant. Pain can be eased with various herbs such as meadowsweet, rosehip, Boswellia serrata, devil’s claw, and willow. Turmeric has also been found beneficial for relieving joint inflammation and pain due to its cortisone-like effects. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate/chondroitin hydrochloride are the most common ingredients in joint supplements. These substances serve as building blocks for cartilage and synovial fluid. By supplementing them, the aim is to provide the body with extra “raw materials” for cartilage, hopefully slowing the progression of osteoarthritis and reducing joint wear.
It’s also important to manage the weight of a horse with joint issues, as extra kilos add unnecessary strain to the joints.
Joints can also be treated with various medications:
Tildren, Bonefos products: calm down bone changes; effect duration up to 6–9 months
Cartrophen, Adequan: provide building blocks for cartilage
Hyonate/hyaluronic acid: improves joint lubrication and increases synovial fluid (e.g. in the hock)
PRP and IRAP treatments
Cortisone: prevents excessive activity/progression of inflammatory enzymes
DMSO: inhibits inflammatory enzyme activity
Or with physical therapies such as shock wave, electrotherapy and laser treatments, magnetic therapy, cold therapy, massage.
