Lameness in older horses is often associated with osteoarthritis, said Dr. Russell Freeland, a surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. “Arthritis can occur in any joint, and it often gets worse with age,” he added.

Osteoarthritis can affect senior horses’ pasture soundness and quality of life, Freeland noted.

(Editor’s note: The content of this video is the expert’s approach to the topic. Please consult with your practitioner if you have questions.)

What Is Equine Osteoarthritis?

“Osteoarthritis is a manifestation of chronic inflammation within the joint that typically will get worse with age and as wear-and-tear occurs,” said Freeland. He added that ultimately, arthritis will create issues with riding soundness as well as pasture soundness.

Freeland said lameness caused by arthritis often starts out as synovitis, or inflammation in the joint lining. If the synovitis persists in the joint, degenerative changes can progress into osteoarthritis over time. That affects the cartilage, joint capsule, the surrounding soft tissue structures, and the underlying bone.

“That process is a progressive issue,” said Freeland. “That affects the way the horse moves and ultimately its quality of life.”

Clinical Signs of Equine Osteoarthritis

Freeland said osteoarthritis in the horse will often first appear as subtle lameness. That lameness can present under saddle, and ultimately when the horse is at pasture.

“It can wax and wane over time ,” said Freeland. “Depending on the joint, it may improve with exercise and movement.” However, he warned that some joints affected with arthritis can get worse with exercise.

Owners will see a progression of lameness. Initially, they might notice a subtle lameness when the horse walks out of the stll. Eventually, lameness will become “pretty consistent under all gaits and every day,” he said.

Lameness can progress until the horse is reluctant to trot or canter. It can continue until the horse has difficulty rising from a prone position. There can sometimes be swelling in the affected joint.

Lameness From Injury and Re-Injury

Lameness in senior horses can also result from soft tissue injuries. These might be recent injuries or re-injury of something that happened when the horse was younger.

Older horses can also suffer from degenerative soft tissue diseases. One mentioned by Freeland was suspensory ligament desmitis. He said that lameness issue can have genetic and conformational components.

As horses age, they have less ability to heal themselves, noted Freeland, and healing might take longer. “We have to be patient with those patients,” he said.

He added that owners have to understand that horses can re-injure themselves even if they have been rehabbed successfully

“Most things do get better with time, but the risk of re-injury as the horse ages is higher and ultimately will be performance limiting,” Freeland said.

Non-Steroidal Use to Manage Lameness in Horses

Freeland noted that as horses are living longer, owners are reaching more frequently for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as firocoxib, which is often used daily.

“In the aged horse, this tool can be very helpful for daily use for mild osteoarthritis,” he said. “We have to keep in mind that these medications can have side effects. As we are learning more about those side effects, it is important to have a veterinarian evaluate those horses annually and do bloodwork if they think is it indicated.”

Further Content

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