Courtesy of America’s Horse Daily
Make winter easy on your horse with osteoarthritis with these tips
Winter brings difficulties to horse owners, but it also brings its own set of challenges to horses with osteoarthritis (OA). Plunging temperatures, deep snow and freezing rain are difficult enough for humans and horses to deal with, but did you know that even a change in barometric pressure may trigger joint discomfort?
When a horse suffers from OA, the cartilage, bone and soft tissues in the joint deteriorate. These changes cause pain, deformity, loss of motion and decreased function.
Hoyt Cheramie, DVM, MS, DACVS, Senior Equine Professional Service Veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim, points to these clinical signs to watch out for:
- Decreased activity or mobility
- Stiffness or decreased movement of joints
- Heat
- Swelling
- Pain
- Lameness
There is no cure for OA, but it is possible to manage signs.
“Our aim is to control the progression of the disease by focusing on alleviating joint pain and inflammation, which allows the horse to maintain or increase mobility,” Cheramie says.
With that in mind, he urges owners to continue exercising their horses during winter. By continuing with a training routine, it allows the joints to stay supple and moving.
“The more horses have a chance to stay fit, the better it is for their overall joint health,” Cheramie says. “However, it is especially important for OA sufferers to have a warm-up and cool-down regimen before and after work, and that the work is not excessive.”
Cheramie recommends slow, easy stretching movements before training to help loosen muscles and get the circulation going in stiff joints. Also, allow time afterwards for winding-down so the horse can relax and not lose too much body heat all at once. This also helps keep muscles loose.
Horse owners should consider the following cold weather management tips:
- Caution needs to be taken when riding in deep, heavy or wet snow as this may be associated with tendon injuries
- If horses are exercised enough to generate sweat, clipping is advised to help them cool down faster
- Horses that are clipped or don’t have a thick hair coat need to be blanketed
- If riding is not possible, make an effort to turn horses out as often as possible
- If horses are stabled, be sure to provide ample bedding for warmth and to cushion elbows, hocks and other sensitive areas when lying down.
When OA associated pain and inflammation flare-ups do occur, contact your veterinarian to discuss a management plan.
One option owners may want to discuss with their veterinarian is administering a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to relieve pain. There are many to choose from, but doing a little research into active ingredients, use in competitive situations and convenience in dosing can help make the choice easier.