Equestrian Arthritis

Degenerative Joint diseases are commonly seen in humans and in pets such as dogs and cats but did you know that even horses fall prey to this condition? Horses are generally physically-active animals. They can stand for hours, gallop, jump and clear hurdles (for trained horses) of varying heights. But like humans and pets, they are susceptible to the everyday wear and tear of cartilages in the joints. This is inevitable and is the leading cause of degenerative joint diseases with ageing as a complementary cause.

Whether or not the horse is physically active or is a retired beast of burden, arthritis usually comes and is manifested by lameness. Standing alone provides a lot of pressure to the horse's joints. Sometimes too much physical activity or regular physical activity leads to normal wear and tear but remember that as the horse ages, in much the same way as glucosamine production in humans and pets degenerate, so too does in horses. The general picture then becomes that there is an imbalance between physical activity and its pressure on the joints and joint rehabilitation and repair through glucosamine production.

Some tips in Treating Equestrian Arthritis

First, check for signs of swelling in your horses' legs. One way to do so is to compare opposite legs against one another and see if they are generally of the same size. Another way is to gently massage the legs and feel the edge of the bones. If you can't swelling may have taken place or is taking place. So-called 'valleys' in the horse's joints which are made of soft-tissue and are described as "fluid-free" may feel as if they are "filled-up" and is taken as a sign of swelling. If you suspect any of these, consult with a veterinarian right away to remedy future signs of equestrian arthritis.

Once you are sure that your horse is suffering from degenerative joint disease or arthritis, and then you may try to treat it as authorized by your vet. Of course, natural treatments are highly-recommended.

Exercise and Stretching

Since lameness usually results from long periods of inactivity and/or a strain in the joints due to a traumatic injury or the normal wear and tear of everyday, a controlled exercise program can help strengthen your horse's joints while stretching can help with blood circulation and flexibility.

Diet

A nutrient-filled diet goes hand-in-hand with regular exercise to safeguard your horse from future diseases. For arthritis, glucosamine diets have been found to relieve the pains of equestrian arthritis and effectively treat degenerative joint disease as well. Synflex Liquid Glucosamine is a dietary supplement that has been proven to treat equestrian arthritis with just an ounce to an ounce and a half (depending on your horse's weight) for more or less 3 months. Once absorbed in the body, the ingredients in Syn-flex Liquid glucosamine work synergistically to ease pain and rehabilitate degenerative cartilage in the joints and repair damaged tissues as well. You can read more on Synflex and other Syn-flex Liquid Glucosamine for equestrian use at