— Frequently Asked Questions —
What are the first signs that might indicate that I need to have my horse evaluated?
Performance Issues
Decline in Performance: Sudden or gradual decrease in performance levels, such as slower times, difficulty with previously easy tasks, or general lack of enthusiasm for work.
Resistance to Training: Unexplained resistance or reluctance during training, such as refusing to jump, difficulty with lateral movements, or unwillingness to transition between gaits.
Movement Abnormalities
Lameness: Subtle or overt signs of lameness, which might not be attributed to a specific injury.
Uneven Gait: Asymmetrical movement, head bobbing, or uneven stride length.
Stiffness: General stiffness, particularly in the neck, back, or hindquarters, which may be more pronounced after rest or during certain movements.
Behavioral Changes
Irritability: Increased irritability or aggression, especially when being saddled, groomed, or ridden.
Avoidance Behavior: Attempts to avoid being touched in certain areas, such as the back or neck.
Unusual Behavior: Changes in behavior that seem out of character, such as biting, kicking, or general restlessness.
Saddle and Tack Issues
Difficulty Saddling: Resistance or discomfort when being saddled or tacked up.
Uneven Sweat Patterns: Uneven sweat patterns under the saddle, indicating uneven pressure or discomfort.
Difficulty with Specific Movements
Reluctance to Bend: Difficulty bending or flexing to one side, either on the ground or under saddle.
Problems with Collection: Difficulty achieving or maintaining collection, which requires proper alignment and flexibility.
Physical Signs
Muscle Atrophy or Asymmetry: Uneven muscle development, particularly along the back and hindquarters.
Swelling or Heat: Localized swelling or heat that does not correspond to an obvious injury.
Soreness or Tenderness
Pain on Palpation: Soreness or tenderness when pressure is applied to certain areas of the neck, back, or limbs.
Reactions to Grooming: Flinching, dipping, or other adverse reactions when being groomed in specific areas.
Specific Behavioral Cues
Tail Swishing: Excessive tail swishing when being ridden or handled.
Ear Pinning: Frequent pinning of the ears, especially when being approached or handled.
General Signs of Discomfort
Restlessness: General restlessness, inability to stand still, or frequent shifting of weight.
Decreased Appetite: Reduction in appetite, possibly due to discomfort affecting the horse’s overall well-being.
If my horse gets joint injections, will I have to keep giving them injections forever?
If you’re hesitating to try joint injections for your horse because you think they’ll have to keep getting more indefinitely, that’s not always the case! You don’t have to keep getting joint injections in your horse!
There are a few different reasons why we would recommend joint injections. The purpose of joint injections are to decrease inflammation, which is the primary cause of pain and joint damage; however, it is possible for injections to lose their effectiveness. You will know when the injections are wearing off because your horse will show signs of pain again. Once the injection wears off, we can discuss whether to inject again or explore other options.
Some of the bad publicity cortisone therapy gets is because osteoarthritis is a progressive disease. You can control the pain and short-term progression of arthritic inflammation with steroids and injections, but as long your horse is working, the process is likely to continue. It is our job as veterinarians is to slow the process down
There are other ways to manage inflammation either in combination with injections or as an alternative treatment. Oral or injectable anti-inflammatories, oral or injectable joint support medications, shockwave therapy, or chiropractic adjustments are all beneficial therapies. Maintaining a healthy weight and daily exercise are also beneficial for osteoarthritis management.
