Winter care for arthritic horses

Support their joint health
Consider a natural daily supplement, like 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte Horse or 4CYTE™ Equine Granules.

Keep up the exercise
Although it’s tempting to keep an older horse in a warm, cosy stall during winter, confinement can worsen their arthritis. Exercise will not only encourage movement of the synovial fluid (which reduces friction between the joints), but keep your horse’s tendons, ligaments and muscles in good condition.

Warm up before a big ride
Now more than ever, it’s important to make sure your horse is properly warmed up before you head out for a gallop on a cold winter morning. A good groom, walk around and massage should precede a warm up under saddle, followed by a stretch. This routine should reduce the risk of injuries and help avoid expensive vet bills.

Manage your footing
For horses, negotiating hazardous winter footing can be difficult when their joints don’t move as freely as they used to. Slick, icy surfaces are obviously dangerous, but churned up mud can freeze and spell trouble too. Keep footing smooth and ice-free, and pay particular attention to areas near run-in sheds, gates, troughs and hay feeders, and the paths horses take between them.

Keep it even: If possible, a fairly level, flat paddock is preferable to steep, hilly paddocks to put the least possible strain on the joints.

Keep them warm
A warm, well-fitted rug helps to keep joints of the upper limb warm and comfortable. A snug, thick, well-insulated rug is preferable to multiple thinner rugs, or heavy weighted rugs that can be a greater risk of getting tangled around legs or fences.

Soft touch
Soft bedding should be used if your horse is stabled. Standing for long periods on hard surfaces can exacerbate the pain from arthritis.

Regular pedicures 
Having your horse regularly trimmed or shod by a farrier helps maintain a healthy and well-balanced foot. Improper foot balance and overgrown feet can increase the strain on joints.