Osteoarthritis in horses is a common, progressive joint condition that causes stiffness and lameness, but with the right care, many horses stay comfortable and active for years.
If your horse seems stiff coming out of the stall, or his stride feels shorter than it used to, these small changes can be early signs worth paying attention to. This guide explains what to look for, what causes OA, and how it's treated and managed. For a broader overview, see our guide to arthritis in horses.
Key Takeaways
What Is Osteoarthritis in Horses?
Osteoarthritis in horses is a progressive joint disease in which the protective cartilage inside a joint gradually breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and lameness.
As per the UC Davis Center for Equine Health, it's the most common joint problem in horses and accounts for more than 60% of equine lameness. It was formerly called equine degenerative joint disease. As the Merck Veterinary Manual explains, OA also involves inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues and changes in the bone beneath the cartilage.
Osteoarthritis vs. Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term for any joint inflammation, while osteoarthritis is a specific type in which joint cartilage slowly degenerates.
In a healthy joint, smooth cartilage and lubricating synovial fluid let bones glide easily. In equine osteoarthritis, the system wears down over time. OA can develop from years of normal wear, known as primary OA, or follow an injury, chip fracture, infection, or developmental condition like OCD, which is called secondary OA.
Signs of Osteoarthritis in Horses
The most common signs of osteoarthritis in horses are lameness, stiffness that eases after warm-up, a shorter stride, and swelling or heat in the affected joint.
Lameness may come and go or slowly worsen over time. Here's how signs often change as the condition progresses:
|
Early signs |
Advanced signs |
|
Stiffness that eases after warm-up |
Lameness that persists or keeps returning |
|
A slightly shorter stride |
Visible joint swelling, heat, or thickening |
|
Hesitation on turns, circles, or jumps |
Reduced range of motion in the joint |
|
A subtle drop in performance |
Pain when the joint is flexed or handled |
When Should You Call Your Vet?
Call your vet if your horse's stiffness or lameness lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or is accompanied by joint swelling or heat.
Early diagnosis matters because limiting inflammation early may help reduce further joint damage.
What Causes Osteoarthritis in Horses?
Osteoarthritis in horses is usually caused by long-term stress on a joint, previous joint injuries, poor conformation, or age-related wear.
The most common risk factors include:
- Repetitive loading from years of training, especially high-speed or high-impact work.
- Previous joint injuries, such as fractures, chip fragments, or sprains.
- Joint instability or poor conformation, which puts uneven stress on joints.
- Age, since OA tends to worsen over time, though it can affect horses of any age.
Which Joints Does Osteoarthritis Affect in Horses?
Osteoarthritis in horses most often affects the hock, fetlock, pastern, coffin joint, knee, and stifle.
|
Joint |
Where it is |
What owners may notice |
|
Hock |
Hind leg, midway up |
Stiffness behind and a shorter hind stride, especially common in western performance horses |
|
Fetlock |
Just above the hoof |
Swelling or puffiness, common in jumpers due to landing forces |
|
Pastern |
Between the fetlock and hoof |
Firm swelling, often called ringbone |
|
Coffin joint |
Inside the hoof |
Lameness that can look like foot pain |
|
Knee (carpus) |
Front leg |
Joint thickening and reduced flexion |
|
Stifle |
Hind leg, near the body |
Hind-end stiffness and reluctance on hills or transitions |
Less commonly, OA can also affect the facet joints of the neck. Because coffin joint pain can resemble other foot problems, your vet may also check for conditions like navicular disease.
How Do Vets Diagnose Osteoarthritis in Horses?
Vets diagnose osteoarthritis in horses with a lameness exam, flexion tests, nerve or joint blocks, and X-rays.
Nerve and joint blocks numb specific areas to pinpoint the source of pain. X-rays can confirm changes such as a narrowed joint space or bony growths. When more detail is needed, vets may use ultrasound, MRI, or arthroscopy.
Equine Osteoarthritis Treatment Options
Equine osteoarthritis treatment aims to reduce pain and slow joint damage, since the condition can't be cured.
Most vets combine several options based on the horse's joints and workload:
|
Treatment |
How it's given |
Purpose |
|
NSAIDs |
Orally or by injection |
Control pain and inflammation |
|
PSGAGs |
Into the muscle or joint |
Reduce joint inflammation and cartilage breakdown |
|
Corticosteroid injections |
Into the joint, by a vet |
Strong local anti-inflammatory effect |
|
Hyaluronic acid (HA) |
IV or into the joint |
Help with mild to moderate joint inflammation |
|
Biologics (PRP, IRAP) |
Into the joint, using the horse's own blood products |
Help control inflammation |
|
Oral joint supplements |
In feed |
May support joint health, mainly in mild cases |
NSAIDs for Pain Relief
NSAIDs such as firocoxib and phenylbutazone are commonly used to control pain and inflammation in horses with osteoarthritis.
Equioxx (Firocoxib) Tablets are FDA-approved for OA-related pain and inflammation and are given once daily for up to 14 days in horses weighing 800 to 1,300 pounds. Phenylbutazone (Bute) Powder is another widely used treatment for osteoarthritis in horses. Both require a prescription, and NSAIDs should never be combined unless your vet directs it.
Adequan and PSGAGs
Adequan i.m. is a prescription injectable PSGAG used for non-infectious degenerative and traumatic joint problems in horses.
Adequan i.m. is labeled particularly for the knee and hock joints. It's given as an intramuscular injection on a schedule set by your vet.
Joint Injections and Biologic Therapies
Joint injections deliver medications such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or PRP directly into an affected joint.
Your vet will choose the right option based on your horse's joints and workload. In advanced cases, surgery such as arthroscopy or joint fusion may be considered.
Exercise for Horses With Osteoarthritis
Regular, low-impact exercise is usually best for horses with osteoarthritis, as gentle movement helps prevent joint stiffness.
Long periods of stall rest can worsen stiffness. Helpful arthritic horse exercises include longer warm-ups, steady work on good footing, and gentle hill or straight-line work. Avoid repeated high-impact or maximal efforts and follow your vet's guidance on how much work is appropriate for your horse.
How Can You Keep a Horse With Osteoarthritis Comfortable?
You can keep a horse with osteoarthritis comfortable with daily turnout, regular hoof care, a healthy weight, and good footing.
These habits make the biggest difference day to day:
- Maximize turnout so your horse can move gently throughout the day.
- Keep up with farrier visits, as good hoof balance reduces stress on the lower-limb joints.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Choose a level footing that's neither too hard nor too deep.
- Track changes in stiffness or stride to share with your vet.
Do Joint Supplements Help Horses With Osteoarthritis?
Joint supplements may help some horses with mild osteoarthritis, but they work best alongside veterinary treatment rather than replacing it.
Common ingredients include glucosamine chondroitin, MSM, ASU, and hyaluronic acid. Nutramax Cosequin ASU combines glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and ASU in a daily powder. LubriSyn HA provides hyaluronic acid in an oral liquid.
A balanced diet that keeps your horse at a healthy weight is just as important. For more options, see our list of the top 10 joint supplements for horses.
Can Osteoarthritis in Horses Be Prevented?
Osteoarthritis in horses can't always be prevented, but you can lower the risk with good weight management, sensible training, and prompt care for joint injuries.
Keep your horse at a healthy weight, avoid repeated maximal exercise in young horses, and provide regular turnout on good footing. Having joint injuries checked promptly also helps reduce the chance of secondary OA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can a horse with osteoarthritis still be ridden?
Ans: Many can, especially with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Regular, low-impact work can help keep joints moving. Your vet can adjust workload, footing, and treatment to keep your horse comfortable, while advanced cases may need lighter duties or retirement from intense work.
Q2: Does age cause osteoarthritis in horses?
Ans: Age is a major risk factor, as osteoarthritis tends to worsen with age. However, it can affect horses of any age, including young athletes, after a joint injury or intense training. Older horses often show more signs because joint wear builds over time.
Q3: Can X-rays show osteoarthritis in horses?
Ans: Yes, X-rays often show changes such as narrowed joint space, bony growths, and changes in the bone beneath the cartilage Early cartilage damage may not appear on X-rays, so vets sometimes use ultrasound, MRI, or arthroscopy for a clearer picture.
Q4: Is hyaluronic acid good for equine osteoarthritis?
Ans: Hyaluronic acid is a natural part of joint fluid. Vets give it by IV or joint injection, and it's considered most useful for mild to moderate joint inflammation. Oral HA supplements are also available, though research on them is more limited.
Q5: How long can a horse live with osteoarthritis?
Ans: Many horses with osteoarthritis can live without any discomfort for years if it's managed well. The outlook depends on the condition, the affected joints, how many joints are affected, and the horse's workload Diagnosing early and regular care can help keep the condition in check.
Q6: What should I feed a horse with osteoarthritis?
Ans: Feed a balanced diet that keeps your horse at a healthy weight. Extra weight adds stress to sore joints, so make sure your horse doesn’t get overweight. Ask your vet whether a joint supplement could help as well, and add it to their diet accordingly.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Prescription medications should only be used under veterinary supervision. Always reach out to your vet before starting any treatment or supplement.
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