Joint Issues in Equines

Joint disease is the leading cause of pain, lost training days, lost exercise time, and overall weakened strength in horses. Joint disease does not yet have a cure, but the best way to protect your horse is to take preventative action against onset and progression. Joint disease is also called osteoarthritis, or “OA”. The best way to prevent OA is to be familiar with the bone structure of your horse and factors that can contribute to the onset of joint disease. 

Background on Joints and OA

Cartilage lines the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint. In each horse, this includes the joints in their limbs, head, and spinal column. Cartilage allows for smooth and painless movement amongst joints and distributes weight evenly for movement. Any kind of trauma to the cartilage or joint causes inflammation. Inflammation causes decreased cartilage production and increased cartilage breakdown. When joint inflammation begins, cartilage begins to degrade and break down over time. It is important to limit trauma or fracture on the joint areas, because inflammation will cause a progression of joint problems. An injury, or simply just age related wear and tear, can lead to an onset of cartilage breakdown and eventually joint disease. 

Prevent Progression and Onset

Although genetics and pre-existing conditions can predispose a horse to osteoarthritis, there are measures that can be taken to avoid injury and manage symptoms. These include weight management, hoof trimming, exercise, and nutrition. Here are some helpful tips to mitigate the chance of osteoarthritis:

• Maintain hoof health, which is directly correlated to joint health
• Decrease body weight to reduce joint stress
• Provide your horse with a complete and balanced diet (including vitamins and minerals)
• Make sure your horse is exercising regularly

Signs and Symptoms of Joint Pain

Never ignore the natural signs of injury that your horse can show you. If you suspect that your horse is in pain or experiencing low energy, take them to a veterinarian immediately. Here are some common signs of joint injury or disease:

• Joint stiffness in exercise or movement
• Joint swelling or inflammation along with heat, warm to the touch
• Lameness, low energy levels, and lack of interest in activities
• Common signs of pain in your horse

If you notice any of these signs in your horse, make sure to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Noticing the signs early can prevent or limit the progression of osteoarthritis.

Comfort Quik

If your horse is experiencing joint pain, check out our Comfort Quik supplement. 

Comfort Quik has 20 ingredients blended together proven to help horses regain cartilage and fight off joint pain. It is the only horse joint supplement with Epoxogen complex. Comfort Quik provides results in only 14-21 days. Our product contains no glucosamine and no yucca, both common ingredients proven to increase insulin. Therefore, Comfort Quik is safe in insulin vesisture and cushing horses. Comfort Quik is certified drug free, pesticide free and is non-GMO. It is also the only horse joint product with certified low sugar and carbohydrates. Simply add Comfort Quik to your horse’s feed morning and night to ease their joint issues. Our product is developed by licensed veterinarians and proven to provide fast acting results. We also provide free veterinary consults to owners to set up a tailored program for their horse! Learn more on our website!