Osteoarthritis and Dental Problems: Supporting Your Horse As It Ages

As your horse becomes a senior, it may start to develop age-related ailments. As an owner, you may not immediately notice this, as these are slow processes. Part of aging for horses is the gradual wearing down of joints and teeth. What can you do to ensure that your horse remains mobile and able to chew properly for as long as possible?

The age at which a horse becomes a "senior" can vary depending on the breed and the individual horse. In general, we are talking about horses around 18 to 20 years old. This is when the first signs of aging start to appear.

Joints: Stiffness and Osteoarthritis

Older horses often experience joint wear and tear. The production of cartilage slows down in older horses, leading to the gradual thinning of the 'cushioning' cartilage between joints. Cartilage and synovial fluid work together to facilitate smooth joint movement. When the cartilage thins and there is less lubricant (synovial fluid), your horse will start to move stiffer and take longer to warm up. Osteoarthritis often starts with minor joint damage, structural changes, and inflammation. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include stiff movement, lameness, and difficulty getting started. It is usually worse in cold and wet weather. After a good warm-up, the horse usually moves more smoothly.

Preventing Discomfort from Stiffness and Osteoarthritis

Although you cannot completely prevent joint wear and stiffness in old age, there are several things you can do to help keep your horse mobile and healthy for as long as possible.

Tip 1: Maintain a healthy weight

Overweight horses put excess strain on their joints and tendons. Joint wear and osteoarthritis may progress more quickly in overweight horses. Keep your horse at a healthy weight.

Tip 2: Exercise

Older horses are often less trained and spend more time in their stalls. This is not good for muscle and joint mobility. Older horses benefit from plenty of light, unrestricted exercise. Allow your horse more time outside and engage in light activities like walking or ground work. Remember to include a longer warm-up and cool down.

Tip 3: Hoof care

Poor hooves and abnormal leg alignments can worsen osteoarthritis, causing pain and reducing the desire to move. Have your farrier visit regularly and ensure your older horse's hooves are well-maintained.

Tip 4: Provide Silicon

Silicon is an excellent supplement for maintaining healthy cartilage. Silicon is most easily absorbed by horses in hydrolyzed, liquid form. Silicon is essential for all connective tissues and promotes the production of natural glucosamine. Silicon stimulates the production of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints. It is also beneficial for tendons, muscles, bone formation, and hoof growth. Starting silicon supplementation early can slow down the development or worsening of osteoarthritis.

Tip 5: Reduce Inflammation

Osteoarthritis often leads to minor joint inflammations, causing pain during movement. You can alleviate these inflammations with mild anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving supplements such as cannabinoids or devil's claw. Choose a supplement that can be given long-term. Devil's claw may cause stomach issues in some horses, so be sure to find a product that suits your horse.

Dental Problems in Older Horses

Dental issues are common in older horses as they age. Inflamed areas may develop in the mouth due to larger spaces between the molars where food can get stuck. Changes in tooth alignment or excessive grinding of the teeth can make chewing more difficult.

Symptoms of dental problems:

• Weight loss due to poor chewing and reduced food intake
• Making food balls while eating
• Spending a lot of time eating roughage
• Gulping down concentrates
• Drooling
• Playing with food
• Esophageal obstruction, coughing while eating, food falling out of the mouth
• Nasal discharge during or after eating
• Foul breath
• Swellings around the jaw or nose

In addition to the mentioned dental problems, Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) can also occur in older horses.

Managing Dental Problems in Older Horses

It is wise to pay more attention to the teeth of older horses. The longer an old horse can chew properly, the better it is for digestion and overall health. Undiscovered dental pain can cause a significant amount of discomfort in older horses, who always try to hide their pain.

Tip 1: Schedule more frequent dental check-ups

For older horses, it is recommended to have the dentist visit twice a year. This way, you can address any issues like inflammations promptly. Dental problems in horses are not always noticeable through abnormal eating behavior. Mild mouth inflammations can be managed with the help of cannabinoids.

Tip 2: Provide Sufficient Minerals

Older horses may have difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals. Ensure they receive a mineral and vitamin supplement in the proper composition and quantity for older horses. Additionally, liquid silicon can contribute to bone and tooth development, and magnesium can also be a beneficial supplement.

Tip 3: Adjust the Diet

Horses with chewing difficulties struggle to process hay and other roughage. Long-stem roughage requires a healthy set of teeth. If your horse chews poorly, ensure it receives enough fiber with finely chopped roughage or soaked materials like beet pulp or grass nuts. If your horse has severe dental issues, consider adding bran to its diet.

Cushing's Disease?

Finally, it is essential to be vigilant for PPID/Cushing's Disease. This hormonal condition can cause various issues, including stiffness. If you are unsure whether your horse has typical age-related issues or something more serious, have your veterinarian test for PPID. Learn more about this condition here.

Read more about how to support an aging horse.