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