Best 7 Arthritis Remedies for Horses: What Truly Works

Giving your horse a nice name is cool, but, boy, have you seen your horse take a stiff step or hesitate to run? You know the pain in their eyes and wonder what could be wrong. Well, say hello to arthritis, a common condition that makes horses’ joints sore and creaky. The good news? With the proper arthritis remedies for horses, you can ease their discomfort and help them move again.

Arthritis causes lameness in horses, especially as they age or undergo years of regular work. It develops gradually, often starting with minor inflammation in the joints that slowly leads to cartilage breakdown and stiffness. While it can affect any joint, the hocks, knees, and fetlocks are often the first to show signs. Let’s walk you through 7 arthritis remedies for horses.

Best 7 Arthritis Remedies for Horses

1. Keep Your Horse Moving with Daily Gentle Exercises

One of the simplest yet most powerful arthritis remedies for horses is to keep your horse moving every day. Whilst it might sound odd to encourage movement when your horse looks stiff or uncomfortable, gentle exercise helps prevent joints from locking up and eases stiffness.

Regular activity improves blood circulation, which naturally reduces inflammation around sore joints. Think of it as a gentle oiling of the joints that keeps everything working smoothly. You can spend time in the paddock during turnout, go for a calm walk led in-hand, or light riding if your horse feels up to it. The goal is to keep their joints supple without overdoing it.

Each horse is different, so tailoring the exercise to your horse’s age and condition is essential. Younger or fitter horses may enjoy a bit more movement, while older or more arthritic ones need slower, shorter sessions. You’ll want to avoid hard or uneven ground that might stress joints, and choose soft, flat surfaces where your horse can move safely instead.

2. Relieve Pain Using Anti-Inflammatory Medications

One of the key arthritis remedies for horses is managing their pain with anti-inflammatory medications. When joints are sore and inflamed, these medicines can make a big difference in helping your horse feel more comfortable and willing to move.

Commonly used options include Bute, Equioxx, and Banamine. These medications work by reducing the swelling and pain around the affected joints, giving your horse some relief. However, any of these drugs must be prescribed and supervised by a vet. Horses can be sensitive, and the wrong dose or long-term use can lead to side effects like stomach ulcers or strain on their liver and kidneys.

However, due to these risks, veterinarians often recommend using anti-inflammatory drugs only when necessary, in conjunction with other arthritis remedies, such as supplements or exercise. Think of these medications as part of a toolkit to ease pain and keep your horse comfortable, rather than a permanent fix on their own.

3. Support Their Joints with Oral Supplements

Another essential part of arthritis remedies for horses is giving them the right oral supplements. These handy additions to your horse’s diet help protect and nourish their joints from the inside out. Common supplements include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid. Each of these plays a role in supporting joint fluid health and helping to maintain the cartilage that cushions the joints.

When used early on, these supplements can slow down the damage arthritis causes and keep your horse moving more comfortably for longer. You won’t see instant miracles, as supplements take time to build up in the system, but they are worth the wait. They work best in tandem with other remedies, such as exercise and pain management, creating a well-rounded approach to easing arthritis symptoms.

Giving your horse these supplements regularly is like feeding their joints with the nutrients they need to stay strong. It’s a gentle, ongoing way to support their comfort and mobility, and many owners notice their horses feeling livelier after some weeks of consistent use. 

4. Strengthen from Within Using Injectable Treatments

Injectable treatments are another effective option among arthritis remedies for horses, especially when more targeted care is needed. These injections deliver powerful joint support right where the problem is, helping reduce inflammation and protect the cartilage from further damage.

Vets often use substances like corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid in these injections. They work by calming the irritation inside the joint and improving the quality of the joint fluid, which makes movement easier and less painful for your horse. This method is beneficial for horses that are either still working or nearing retirement age and require extra support in managing ongoing discomfort.

So, because injections target the source of the problem directly, their effects tend to be quicker and more noticeable than those of oral supplements. However, these treatments only yield optimal results when combined with other arthritis remedies for horses, such as exercise and supplements. They must always be administered by a qualified veterinarian and used carefully to avoid overloading the joints.

5. Lighten the Load Through Weight Management

One of the smartest arthritis remedies for horses is helping them maintain a healthy weight. Extra pounds put a lot of pressure on already sore joints, making arthritis symptoms worse and speeding up the damage. So, keeping your horse at an ideal weight means less strain on their knees, hocks and fetlocks, which are the joints most often affected by arthritis.

Weight management is vital for older horses or those who are less active than they used to be, but it is not just about reducing food intake. It involves careful feeding with controlled portions, balanced nutrition and regular checks to score your horse’s fat levels. Your vet or an equine nutritionist can guide you on what is best, be it to reduce sugary treats or to switch to forage that supports joint health.

By lightening the load, you are easing the stress on your horse’s joints and helping to slow down the progression of arthritis. When combined with exercise and other treatments, managing your horse’s weight becomes a simple but powerful part of arthritis remedies for horses that work.

6. Regularly Care For Your Horse’s Hoof

Proper hoof care is often overlooked but plays a vital role in providing remedying arthritis for horses. Your horse’s hooves are the foundation for their entire body, so if they are out of balance, it can put extra strain on their joints and make arthritis symptoms worse. Regular, balanced trimming helps maintain the correct hoof shape and reduces unnecessary pressure on the knees, hocks, and fetlocks.

Sometimes, you can opt for therapeutic shoeing to support your horse’s posture and ease pain. A skilled farrier can adjust shoeing to help take the weight off sore joints, making movement more comfortable because, with misaligned or neglected hooves, your horse may develop an uneven gait, which increases joint wear and tear.

So, staying on top of regular farrier visits is just as important as any other arthritis remedies for horses discussed thus far. Good hoof care supports better joint health by helping your horse move in a natural and balanced way. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in keeping your horse feeling steady and comfortable on their feet.

7. Make Smart Environmental Changes

Creating the right surroundings is a clever way to support your equine companion. When joints are tender, the environment your horse lives in can either ease or worsen their discomfort. As such, maximising safe turnout time on flat, even ground is ideal.

Rough, rocky or steep terrain puts extra stress on your horse’s joints and can make arthritis pain flare up. So it’s best to keep your horse on softer surfaces where they can move freely without risking a stumble or extra strain. Similarly, using soft bedding and rubber mats inside the stable helps cushion your horse’s joints when they stand or lie down, as hard floors can be tough on aching legs.

Small changes like these might seem simple, but they make a huge difference in managing arthritis symptoms.

Conclusion

Arthritis remedies for horses work best when combined thoughtfully. From daily gentle exercise and vet-prescribed medications to supplements, injections, weight management, hoof care and smart environmental changes, each plays a part in easing your horse’s discomfort. With patience and care, you can help your horse stay mobile and happy despite arthritis. Remember, the right approach keeps your loyal friend moving comfortably for many more years to come.