Everything you need to know about horse joints

of the bone beneath the cartilage making it more brittle and prone to damage.
Thickening of the joint capsule which will reduce the range of motion of the horse joint.
Formulation of bone spurs around the joint as it seeks to repair and strengthen itself and maintain its stability.
Formation of chip fractures within the joint.
As these changes progress the joint loses the ability to function normally and lameness will develop. At best if addressed early these changes will result in the joint requiring rest and treatment and being able to return to full function. At worse and if left untreated for too long the joint will develop advanced osteoarthritis and the horse will need to be retired.
What to do if a horse joint gets infected
The penetration of a foreign body into a horses joint is always a concern and something I see reasonably often as a vet. Foreign bodys carry bacteria mud and hair and can result in a massive inflammatory response causing nonweight bearing lameness to occur within just a few hours. Thats why its important and I always advise people of this that any injury to a horses joint no matter how small should be seen by meyour vet urgently.
If the penetration is relatively small with no foreign material left inside the joint it may be possible to manage it by flushing fluid through the joint while your horse is standing still. I will also be injecting them with antibiotics to help preventfight infection.
However if I think there is gross contamination a general anaesthetic and endoscopic examination of the joint to remove the foreign material will be required. Depending on your vet practice and what facilities they have on site this may mean an emergency referral to a nearby equine hospital. Antiinflammatories and antibiotics will also be
How to prevent injury to a horse joint
Although its impossible to prevent all injury it is possible to decrease the risks by taking sensible precautions. I advise the following
Regular farriery is key
Foot imbalance is significant in the development of lameness as structures are overloaded due to forces being transmitted up the leg unevenly. Also if you leave your horse too long between visits then a long toe and an unsupported heel can cause significant lameness.
Ride on suitable surfaces
Choosing a good surface to work your horse on is essential and its vital that the surface is consistent. This is out of your control when hacking