From reining and roping to trail riding and barrel racing, your horse’s joints take on a lot of stress. While it can result from an acute injury, osteoarthritis often stems from a lifetime of daily work and minor trauma that adds up.

We’re covering all things osteoarthritis (OA), during June thanks to our friends at Zycosan.

Like any disease, early detection is your best tool. Spotting the subtle signs of joint trouble gives you and your vet the chance to intervene early, especially in young horses with developmental conditions like osteochondritis or those recovering from joint trauma. With the right management plan, many horses with osteoarthritis can continue working comfortably and even competitively.

9 Red Flags Your Horse May Have OA:

• Lameness: Ongoing lameness or stiffness, especially post-work or after rest, is a common early clue.
• Reduced Flexibility: A limited range of motion or trouble bending joints can point to discomfort.
• Swelling & Heat: Inflammation in or around the joint, especially if warm, is a classic sign.
• Stiffness: Notice your horse moving awkwardly after getting up? Joint stiffness might be to blame.
• Reluctance to Move: Resistance to turn, trot, stop, or backup could signal joint pain.
• Behavior Changes: New aggression, grumpiness, or general unwillingness can stem from discomfort.
• Weight Shifting: Favoring one leg or shifting weight to avoid pressure could indicate soreness.
• Joint Sounds: Clicking or popping during movement (called crepitus) is often linked to joint changes.
• Muscle Loss: Atrophy around joints, especially in the hindquarters, can result from decreased use due to pain.

So, you suspect your horse has OA…what now?

Diagnosing Arthritis: What to Expect

First Step: Clinical Exam

Even with today’s high-tech tools, a basic hands-on vet exam remains one of the most effective ways to catch arthritis early. Your vet will watch your horse move, perform flexion tests, and feel for swelling, pain, or thickening in the joints. If you’ve ever purchased a horse with a pre-purchase exam done, it will look similar to this.

Radiographs

X-rays are a go-to diagnostic tool, but they mostly catch later-stage arthritis. While they’re great for showing changes like narrowed joint spaces or bone spurs, they won’t show inflammation or early cartilage damage. Still, radiographs are essential for monitoring disease progression.

Ultrasound

Once mainly used for soft tissue, ultrasound is now a powerful joint-assessment tool, especially for stifles. It can reveal debris, inflammation, ligament damage, and even cartilage changes that don’t show up on X-rays.

Nuclear Scintigraphy

Also known as a bone scan, this technique highlights areas of inflammation by detecting increased blood flow. It’s a sensitive way to identify early bone changes that may lead to osteoarthritis.

MRI

MRI provides the most detailed look at joint structures and is highly effective at identifying early or hidden damage. While standing MRIs work well for limbs, full-body scans typically require general anesthesia for upper joints.

How You Can Help Your Horse Today

• Keep Him Moving: Consistent exercise, tailored to his condition, helps joints stay limber. Even simple turnout can make a difference.
• Maintain Ideal Weight: Extra weight adds strain to sore joints. Keep your horse fit to reduce pressure on his limbs.
• Mind the Footing: Well-maintained pastures and arenas help prevent additional stress and injury.
• Schedule Regular Farrier Visits: Balanced hooves support joint health, especially in lower-limb arthritis.
• Know Your Horse: Spotting subtle changes in movement, mood, or performance helps you act quickly when problems arise.

An OA diagnosis doesn’t mean you have to give up, it just means it’s time to get ahead of the problem. With early intervention and smart care, your horse can stay comfortable, capable, and happy for years to come.

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