Osteoarthritis (OA) is an incurable joint condition that affects horses of all ages and is thought to have a hand in up to 60% of all lameness cases. According to Janny C. de Grauw, DVM, PhD, from the Department of Equine Sciences at Utrecht University in The Netherlands, who recently co-authored a paper on pain in horses with OA, management of the disease requires balanced exercise regimens, medical intervention, and realistic expectations about what the horse can do.

Osteoarthritis results in the progressive degradation and destruction of articular cartilage (the very thin layer of highly specialized connective tissue lining the ends of the long bones where they join). Low-grade inflammation often contributes to the pain, lameness, joint swelling and/or end-stage joint capsule scarring and stiffening. A horse with mild or early OA might experience intermittent bouts of lameness.

"Horses (with mild to moderate OA) can perform at a reasonable level up to quite a high age … when the owner is aware of the implications of the disease and willing to adjust the workload accordingly," de Grauw said. "Always do a good warm-up, work the horse on a good level surface, and get the right shoes that work for the horse."

She also recommends working with a veterinarian to find a treatment plan to manage the arthritis that works for the individual horse