Joint Problems in Horses
Horses need exercise, that’s a fact! Running, jumping, barrel racing, and dressage are all great exercises for your horse. Even if your horse is turned out all day long, it will still benefit from 15 - 30 minutes of exercise per day. Is your horse stabled? Then 30 minutes of movement per day should be your goal! While all this movement is definitely beneficial to your horse, over time wear and tear can take a toll on your horse's joints. The older your horse is, the more severe the damage to joints can become.
Let’s take a look at what signs and symptoms that could indicate developing joint problems.
1. Subtle Changes in Personality
Has your horse's personality started to change? Let’s not forget, horses have bad days too! But, if you notice grumpiness or irritability, a more subdued or withdrawn temperament, or even aggression, it could be a sign that something’s wrong.
2. How About Limited Movement? When humans hurt they don’t feel like moving, and the same is true in horses. Showing resistance or reluctance to move as usual is your horse's way of telling you something's wrong.
3. Is Your Horse Laying Around More Than He Usually Does? If your horse is experiencing foot pain, you may see him spending more time off his feet and lying down. If the painful area is under more stress when he has to get up, then you may notice him not lying down as much.
All of these changes are very subtle and require an astute eye on behalf of the horse owner, you know your horse best!
4. Changes in Movement
One thing that you may or may not notice is subtle changes in the way your horse moves: do you see a shortening of their stride? A hollowing of the back? Raising of the head? All of these are signs of a joint problem. Look for stiffness that goes away as your horse warms up, puffiness around a joint, and warmth or pain in the area of a joint. All of these are signs that your horse isn’t up to par and needs a better look.
5. Watch Your Horse Move
Watch your horse move. Does he look relaxed? Is he swinging freely through his back, shoulders, and haunches, and is he taking smooth, generous strides? Are his head and neck moving in rhythm with the walk? Are his ears pricked? Does he bend smoothly on the circle in both directions? Does he move the same in both directions? Observe the same things at the trot in both directions.
What to Do Next
Next, try with tack but no rider. Notice any changes? If the tack itself is bothering your horse, you may be able to see the difference in how nicely he moves with and without tack, especially if you're careful to tightly cinch the saddle. If you don’t notice any changes, take a look with a rider. Carrying a rider's weight can worsen a horse's lameness for several reasons: a saddle-fit problem may be made worse, more weight is put on the horse's front legs, the hind end has to work harder to move weight forward, and it's difficult for the horse to make subtle changes in how he carries his weight. Horses that move in a stiff, wooden way are uncomfortable somewhere.
Comfort Quick Original contains 20 ingredients blended together proven to help in multiple horses in trials. The only horse joint supplement with Epoxogen complex with results seen in only 14-21 days. Doses for moderate or advanced joint problems. It helps your horse move better, is safe in Cushing's or insulin-resistant horses because it contains no glucosamine or yucca. And has tested drug, lead, and pesticide-free. No soy, non-GMO, gluten-free.If you notice that your horse is struggling during any one of the aforementioned steps, it’s always best to seek a veterinarian. However, there are also things you can do to try and help your horse while you wait for your veterinarian. There are supplements on the market that are designed to cushion and help the joints move more freely. Equine Medical and Surgical Associates have developed an all-natural product called Comfort Quik for joint health and mobility!
Our Comfort Quick with HEMP-Cartilage/Bone/Joint Complex offers all the great ingredients in Comfort Quick original and also has USDA certified organic Hemp seed oil and high protein Hemp powder, along with 3 cannabinoid receptor HERBS (cloves, cinnamon, basil). This product is the only racing and showing approved horse joint product with Hemp and multiple herbs, multiple vitamins, multiple minerals, and Epoxogen added.
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