| Just as it is so with human beings, so also do our | | | | If you suspect that your horse could indeed be |
| horses suffer from this painful and crippling disease. | | | | suffering from an arthritic condition then there are |
| Arthritis of course, is the thinning and stripping away of | | | | certain measures you can take to ensure that his |
| bone joint cartilage over a period of time and is most | | | | suffering does not last. Horse arthritis can be tricky to |
| common in the stages of old age. Horse arthritis like | | | | diagnose, however, so here are a few extra |
| human has two different types of which one is more | | | | measures to take. For one, you can give your horse a |
| physically visible than the other. Generally, there is a | | | | daily check by a gentle examination of his joints. What |
| dramatic change in a horse's joint stability by the time | | | | you want to look for are indications of swelling or |
| they reach 15 years of age. However, a lifestyle that is | | | | exaggerated indentions between the bones. Your |
| in high demand of physical ability can often lead to a | | | | horse will give telltale signs if he is in great pain by |
| premature onset of the disease. In fact, Arthritis in a | | | | flicking his tail or tensing his body. In this case when the |
| horse can come quite unexpectedly as their weight | | | | reactions he gives are too intense it is time to call a |
| forces added pressure on their bones, which can lead | | | | vet for further assistance. However, if there are no |
| to early erosion of the protective cartilage between | | | | major rejections shown by the animal then a simple |
| the joints. | | | | home treatment will suffice. Keeping him confined for a |
| Sometimes, if caught at an early stage the joints can | | | | day or two and giving him a brief workout on the line is |
| regenerate if aided by additional protection. This is why | | | | the best way to minimize his chances for getting |
| it is best to treat horse arthritis in an early phase to | | | | arthritis. |
| ensure the most effective recovery rate. The main | | | | With horse Arthritis there are a number of treatment |
| symptoms of this disease to watch for are as follows: | | | | options depending upon the severity of his condition. |
| If your horse hesitates to execute maneuvers that | | | | Most of the medicinal types of treatment come in the |
| were once routine to him, noticeable bumps/swelling of | | | | form of injections like steroids. Just remember it is best |
| the joints in his legs, noticeable grinding of the joints | | | | to use a short-term treatment plan when using |
| while you ride or work him out, if you notice that there | | | | steroids, so you don't wind up with other medical |
| is a little puffiness in his leg joints. Sometimes, your | | | | issues pertaining to your horse. Other treatments that |
| horse may exhibit noticeable awkwardness or difficulty | | | | are more natural consist of herbal ingredients. If you |
| in his gait that might taper off after a while during the | | | | are unsure as to the extent of your horse's arthritic |
| work out. Another sign to watch out for is if you horse | | | | problems or are uncertain if the signs truly are related |
| shows signs of stiffness after having stood or lain in | | | | to horse arthritis then it would be best to consult your |
| his stall all day. | | | | veterinarian before distributing any type of treatment. |