Stiffness and ‘difficulty getting started’ are often caused by osteoarthritis, especially in older horses. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in your horse’s joints is damaged. This can be due to ‘normal’ wear and tear but may also result from abnormal movement patterns as the horse compensates for pain elsewhere, or from excessive or one-sided training. Injuries or falls can also cause cartilage wear. Cartilage is slow to heal, and when the cartilage pads become too thin, the cushioning function in the joints is (partially) lost. This means that bones start to come into contact with each other, which often leads to painful consequences such as inflammation, fluid buildup, stiffness, and swelling.

Natural process or injury?

In an aging horse, cartilage wear is a natural process. In younger horses, cartilage can deteriorate due to uneven loading, accidents, or deficiencies in essential minerals. Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by inflammation in the joints, which can become chronic. A horse with osteoarthritis in its legs often has difficulty getting started and usually moves stiffly and with short strides. Osteoarthritis can also develop not only in the legs but also, for example, in the neck, back, and the SI joint.

Cold and moisture

When it’s warm outside, horses with osteoarthritis are often much less stiff than when it’s cold and damp. Cold reduces blood circulation and thereby increases joint stiffness. Moisture can lead to flare-ups of inflammation. When a horse is in a wet and slippery pasture, the strain on the joints is also greater, and it will make more ‘odd movements.’ This can cause extra irritation. Winter is, therefore, usually a less favorable season for horses with osteoarthritis. You’ll need to take this into account in training, for example by spending more time warming up.

Silicon and cloves

The mineral silicon is extremely important for the production of cartilage and joint fluid: the shock absorbers and lubricants of the joints. Easily absorbable silicon is therefore the first recommended supplement for horses with joint problems. Hydrolyzed, liquid silicon is well absorbed by horses but only works in the longer term, and it will not directly relieve pain. To combat pain and stiffness, cannabinoids are therefore a good addition. These signaling molecules act directly on receptors in the cartilage and joint heads, where they reduce inflammation and pain. Plant-based cannabinoids from the clove plant are very suitable as a supplement for horses.

In cases of overuse

If your horse’s pain and stiffness are (partly) caused by heavy training or even overuse, you may also consider giving your horse an herbal treatment. With hard work, uric acid accumulates in the joints, in the form of sharp-pointed crystals. These crystals cause pain and stiffness. An herbal extract that dissolves and removes these crystals can be useful. Turmeric, Boswellia, blackcurrant, horsetail, and bamboo form a good combination for this purpose and also work preventively. Moreover, these herbs stimulate the production of the joint lubricant: synovial fluid.

Tips for osteoarthritis

If your horse is a bit stiff and has difficulty getting started due to osteoarthritis, there are a number of things you can do. Not only the supplements we mentioned above but also sufficient movement and appropriate exercise are important. Here are the best ways to keep your horse supple:

• Sufficient free movement to keep the joints supple;
• Appropriate training, not too heavy and repetitive, but also not too light;
• Nutrients for cartilage through feed (silicon);
• Pain and inflammation relief with cannabinoids from cloves;
• A high-quality diet with sufficient vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids;
• A (therapy) blanket can help keep horses warm or pre-warm the muscles before training.