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Joint problems in horses are not uncommon. There are a variety of causes for these painful conditions. And these causes need to be explored before any treatment is considered. The two most common ones are explored here.

Probably the most common cause is injury. Some injuries can go unnoticed by us, but they can still cause a problem.

Sadly, major injuries often result in the death of the horse.

Horses are often pushed too hard to perform. The nature of horses is to oblige. They are herd animals, and that means it’s important to conform to the general well-being of the herd. However, few horses not under pressure would perform any dangerous action that could lead to injury.

Another factor is the youth of the horse. Many, if not most, horses start work at an age when their bones have not fully hardened to manage the work. This inevitably leads to injuries.

Horses are stoic. It’s best to hide your weaknesses, as, in the wild, that may mean you end up as someone’s dinner. That means, just because we cannot see a problem, your horse may still have one. That may only show up when they are asked to work.

Horses are not lazy. They try to avoid further pain.

This can be seen in various ways:

When horses are repeatedly shown no respect for their reluctance to work, most become dull. They just accept that life is painful. Some can turn angry and try to attack those they deem the cause of their pain.

Can you blame them?

Another common cause of joint problems in horses can be the food. Not just the food itself, the whole deal. Horses are happiest grazing in company. The constant movement of grazing keeps all their joints lubricated and working easily. The agreeable company forms a ‘herd’ which has a calming effect. There is safety in numbers for a prey animal. Few horses, if any, enjoy being confined or alone.

Even poor quality grass is better than no grazing.

However, the food can be a problem in itself.

Horses evolved on consuming a lot of low value food. Their systems are not equipped to deal with the high protein and high calorie foods they are often fed, so they can perform better and faster.

Very often this leads to injury.

In addition the, mostly synthetic, additives that go into virtually all pellets or complex horse feeds (as opposed to single grains) can have a deleterious effect.

Natural food is easily processed in the gut, using what is needed, expelling the surplus through the normal elimination channels.

Synthetic food is not recognised by the body. In the short term in a deficient horse, some synthetic supplements can be helpful. The problem occurs when they are consumed over a long period.

The excess isn’t eliminated. Instead, it’s stored in parts of the body where it has no business to be. Over time, it can cause mischief. Deposits. Anywhere, but on the joints is not uncommon. Then the label is arthritis.

Synthetic supplements are much cheaper than the natural ones, found in food. If you feel your horse may be deficient, use a natural supplement. The best ones are made from leafy greens, a natural horse food, or algae. Natural supplements are named from the plant they are derived from, not the ‘nutrient’ they purport to be.

Chemical engineers are very clever at making fake food. It would be a trait to admire if it didn’t have such dire consequences on the end user.

A balanced diet, a lack of deficiencies is not just about the physical. It is also energetic, dynamic. An unhappy or stressed horse is not so able to fully digest and utilise even the best food.

Injuries, acute and chronic conditions all respond well to, good homeopathic treatment..

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