Horse Arthritis Treatment

It is not only humans that suffer from arthritis; horse arthritis can be just as painful and debilitating. Luckily however, there are lots of different methods for treating horse arthritis, which one you use is dependent on the severity of the horse arthritis. This guide outlines some horse arthritis treatment methods.

Treating Horse Arthritis

There are certain things to consider before you choose which horse arthritis treatment is most suitable for your horse. You may want to simply reduce the pain and tissue inflammation in the horse or to reverse the damage to the cartilage. Each requires different methods and often, a combination of horse arthritis treatment methods is best. Your vet will be the best person to examine your horse and decide on the best method for treating horse arthritis.

If the horse arthritis is in its very early stages with little or no cartilage damage, one of the best and easiest ways of treating horse arthritis is simply to allow the horse to rest. This could be anytime from days to months.

Regularly inject anti-inflammation medicines into the muscle or joint to speed up the process alongside things like ice or heat treatments to reduce pain. Anti-inflammatory medicines however do not stop the cause of horse arthritis, they merely alleviate the symptoms. In severe cases, steroids can be used instead.

Horse arthritis is caused by enzymes that break down the cartilage inside the joint. There are various horse arthritis treatments that protect and rebuild the cartilage. An intravenous treatment has proved very effective in regenerating cartilage and is one of the best ways of treating horse arthritis in several locations at the same time.

Always keep an eye on your horse and notice any physical changes as well as behavioural or temperamental changes. If you are ever unsure, get in contact with a vet.

Unless told otherwise, exercise the horse a small amount as it can prove effective in supplementing any horse arthritis treatment and preventing the joints from becoming stiff. Similarly, a horse that is cooped up all day will become depressed and irritable, activities such as grazing in the pasture can keep the horse’s mind active.

Tips & Advice

•    Always check with a vet before you decide to proceed with any sort of arthritis treatment for horses. Some medications can have side effects.

•    There is some debate that human drugs can be effective in horse arthritis treatment. This is yet to be proved and results have been mixed. Again, check with your vet before using any arthritis treatment for horses.