So your horse has osteoarthritis. Now what? We’re breaking it down, thanks to our friends at  Zycosan.

How do you keep him limber, in shape, and moving? While a diagnosis can feel daunting, regular movement remains essential for managing OA and keeping your horse feeling his best. The key lies in intentional, gentle exercise and careful daily assessment to adjust for your horse’s condition.

Start with an Assessment

Just like us, horses have off days. That’s why the warm-up is one of your most powerful tools, not just to prepare for exercise, but to assess your horse’s mental and physical state. Use this time to observe how your horse is moving. Is he stiff or hesitant? Favoring a limb? Is his mood focused or distracted?

Walk both directions, make small circles, and ask for simple flexions or basic maneuvers to gauge his comfort. This assessment helps you tailor the session’s intensity to what your horse can safely handle that day.

Don’t Overdo It

For horses with OA, repetitive work, like trotting repeatedly on hard surfaces, can do more harm than good. Instead, choose softer footing, like grassy fields or well-maintained arenas. Avoid slick or uneven terrain, and limit work on hills, which can place significant strain on arthritic joints. Try to avoid endless, tight circles, or sharp turns.

Keep your expectations reasonable. OA is progressive, and your horse’s capabilities may change over time. You may need to reduce intensity, avoid high-level maneuvers, or retire your horse from certain disciplines altogether.

Go Low-Impact When Needed

If your horse’s condition makes weight-bearing movement uncomfortable, consider alternative methods. You can pony him from another horse, put him on a slow-moving hot walker, hand-walk him, or even opt for swimming if you’re close to a facility that offers it.

What Does Life Look Like After an OA Diagnosis?

Know When to Stop

Motion is lotion, but the caveat is, if your horse is in apparent pain then it’s time to lay off the work. Work with your veterinarian to come up with an exercise and stretching plan to keep him moving and limber. But you also know your horse best. If you pull him out for a ride and he’s head-bobbing lame, it’s probably not the day for it, and riding might make it worse. This is why it’s so important to know your horse’s baseline health and vital signs. Being able to spot a bad day or an arthritis flare-up can spare him further discomfort.

Exercises to Try

Here are a few stretching and movement exercises to incorporate into your routine:

• Long, slow walking sessions (10–20 minutes): Ideal as a warm-up or full session for bad days.
• Serpentine loops and gentle circles: Promote flexion and lateral softness without jarring impact.
• Stepping over poles at the walk: Helps with range of motion and coordination while keeping the pace low-impact.
• Carrot stretches: Encourage your horse to reach laterally and downward with his nose to stretch the neck and spine.
• Back-up exercises: Gently asking your horse to step backward can help with joint engagement and mobility, just be mindful of how he responds.
• Groundwork with lateral steps: Teach your horse to move away from pressure, helping him stay supple without the weight of a rider. Practice moving his hips and shoulders around on the ground to keep him tuned up, even when non-weight bearing.