Crystal formation in joints in horses

An overlooked cause of joint problems is crystal formation in the joints in horses. This crystal formation occurs in the joint fluid between the bones in joints and is caused by a high level of uric acid.

Cause of crystal formation in joints

Crystal formation is caused by an increase in uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is an antioxidant and traps free radicals. When there is an increase in uric acid, it can crystallize. These crystals can accumulate between the joints. You can compare it to honey that also crystallizes, only in horses this occurs in the joint fluid between the joints.

A high uric acid level can have multiple causes:

• Stress

• Diet (lots of concentrate feed, little roughage)

• Monday disease

Relationship between high uric acid levels and stress

Ukrainian scientists have demonstrated a link between stress and an increase in uric acid levels. When a horse is stressed, certain substances, including uric acid, are produced. The scientists observed that horses participating in an event had a strong increase in uric acid in their blood afterwards. If you have a horse with joint problems that is sensitive to stress, it is very likely that the uric acid has crystallized and accumulated between the joints.

Symptoms

The symptoms of crystals are the same as joint wear:

• Lameness

• Difficulty bending

• Chewing problems

• Stiffness

• Difficulty getting up

Treating crystals in joints

Does your horse have joint problems? Act in time. Once the joint problems cause wear, they are no longer reversible. Choose wisely in the treatment of joint problems and consider what the product specifically does. Glucosamine, collagen, and hyaluronic acid have no effect on this crystallization and therefore do not help. Therefore, opt for a supplement that prevents the crystallization of uric acid.