| Arthritis is one of the most common causes of | | | | anti-inflammatory effect. When this is injected into |
| debilitation and lameness in horses. It occurs when | | | | a horse's joint, it tends to strengthen the joint |
| there is continuous inflammation of cartilage in the | | | | and also prompts the body to begin producing |
| joint, resulting in the complete destruction of that | | | | more hyaluronic acid. |
| cartilage. As time passes, the cartilage of the joint | | | | Given in combination with hyaluronic acid is a |
| becomes so thin that it causes severe pain, | | | | corticosteroid, which also produces |
| stiffness, and limited range of motion. | | | | anti-inflammatory effects. However, the benefit |
| What is probably the must frustrating and | | | | of the corticosteroid is that it has the ability to |
| unfortunate aspect of arthritis in horses is that it | | | | halt to the deterioration of the joint relatively |
| is not a reversible condition, meaning the condition | | | | quickly, essentially providing a tremendous amount |
| will only worsen over time if not treated. While | | | | of pain relief. Depending on the severity of the |
| there is no way to cure arthritis in horses, there | | | | arthritis and lameness, this type of injection is |
| is certainly a large selection of treatments | | | | usually given once every six to 12 months. |
| available that can help to slow the destructive | | | | Medications and Supplements |
| process and provide some relief to your horse. | | | | If your horse has arthritis, it goes without saying |
| Continue Regular Exercise | | | | that you will most likely be medicating him and |
| Unless your horse is severely lame, you should | | | | providing supplementation for the remainder of his |
| always continue to provide regular, daily exercise | | | | life. Most commonly prescribed is a NSAID |
| to your horse. The benefit of exercise is that it | | | | (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). This type |
| allows for the continued support and strengthening | | | | of medication is not as strong as a true steroid, |
| of the muscles that support the joints. This is turn | | | | but it can provide a tolerable amount of pain relief |
| helps the cartilage of the joints to remain strong | | | | and inflammation. Used in conjunction with annual |
| and can help to reduce the quick progression of | | | | corticosteroid injections, NSAIDs have been found |
| arthritis. | | | | to help the return of a horse's range of motion |
| Additionally, horses that are regularly exercised on | | | | and his normal activities. |
| a consistent basis have a much lower chance of | | | | Feeding supplements to your horse can |
| developing arthritis. Because exercises produces | | | | sometimes be difficult because of the vast |
| repetitive strengthening of the joints and | | | | selection available to you. For a horse with |
| associated cartilage, it is always good to keep | | | | arthritis, you should be specifically looking for a |
| your horse active and well-exercised. | | | | supplement that includes glucosamine and |
| Corticosteroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections | | | | chondroitin, which are also compositions normally |
| After your horse has been diagnosed with | | | | created by the body. A supplement with these |
| arthritis, the first line of defense is usually a | | | | two ingredients can aid in the repair of damaged |
| two-part injection of hyaluronic acid and a | | | | cartilage and in the return of elasticity to the |
| corticosteroid. Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced | | | | cartilage. |
| by the joint fluid, which produces an | | | | |