Bone & Joint Diseases in Horses

Welcome to your comprehensive resource on bone and joint diseases in horses!

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or new to horse care, understanding the symptoms, treatments, and prevention strategies for bone and joint issues is crucial for your horse’s mobility and overall health.
 
Bone and joint diseases can manifest in various ways, including lameness, swelling, and stiffness. Recognizing these symptoms early can make a significant difference in your horse’s recovery. Our articles cover a wide range of bone and joint conditions, from common issues like Osteoarthritis, Synovitis, Tendonitis and Bone Spavin to more complex conditions such as Kissing Spines, Locking Stifles, Fractures and Equine Angular Limb Deformity.
 
Each article dives into the causes behind these ailments, evidence-based treatments, and practical tips for prevention. Whether you’re looking for advice on managing your horse’s workload, signs to watch for, or seeking guidance on when to consult a veterinarian, we’ve got you covered.
Stay informed and empowered to give your horse the best possible care. Explore our collection of articles below and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to maintain your horse’s bone and joint health.
 
Think your horse may have a bone or joint disease?  –  Check out the Happie Horse Symptom Checker.

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian or new to horse care, understanding the symptoms, treatments, and prevention strategies for bone and joint issues is crucial for your horse’s mobility and overall health.
 
Bone and joint diseases can manifest in various ways, including lameness, swelling, and stiffness. Recognizing these symptoms early can make a significant difference in your horse’s recovery. Our articles cover a wide range of bone and joint conditions, from common issues like Osteoarthritis, Synovitis, Tendonitis and Bone Spavin to more complex conditions such as Kissing Spines, Locking Stifles, Fractures and Equine Angular Limb Deformity.

Our Articles on Bone & Joint Diseases

Learn all about Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Bursitis in horses is the inflammation of a bursa, typically causing pain, swelling, and lameness in the affected joint.
Bone / Joint Disease

Bursitis in Horses

Bursitis in Horses Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Bursitis is extremely common in horses. It is inflammation within the bursa and can be classified as either true or acquired. The bursa is a sac that is filled

Fractures in horses are breaks in bones often caused by trauma, leading to pain, lameness, and requiring immediate veterinary care.
Bone / Joint Disease

Fractures in horses

Fractures in Horses Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. Fractures in horses refer to breaks or cracks in their bones, which can occur due to various causes such as trauma, overexertion, accidents, or underlying bone weakness. These fractures

A pedal bone fracture is a break in the bone within the hoof, often causing severe lameness and requiring prompt veterinary attention.
Bone / Joint Disease

Pedal Bone Fracture in Horses

Pedal bone fracture in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. Fracture of the distal phalanx is a fairly common injury that occurs most commonly at high speed or less commonly from kicking a firm object. The fracture is

Rheumatoid Arthritis in horses is an autoimmune disorder causing joint inflammation, pain, and progressive lameness.
Bone / Joint Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joint capsule. This condition is often characterized by swelling and pain at the joint, particularly of the synovial membrane. The synovial membrane is

Navicular bone fracture involves a break in the small, boat-shaped bone in the hoof, leading to significant lameness and needs treatment.
Bone / Joint Disease

Navicular Bone Fracture in Horses

Navicular bone fracture in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. Navicular bone fractures can be classified into one of four types.These are simple sagittal fractures, comminuted fractures, avulsion fracture of the navicular collateral sesamoidean ligament, and avulsion fractures

Septic Arthritis in horses is a severe joint infection causing pain, swelling, and lameness, often requiring prompt veterinary treatment.
Bone / Joint Disease

Septic Arthritis

Septic Arthritis This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Septic arthritis is an acute form of osteoarthritis caused by a bacterial infection within the joint itself. This is extremely painful to the horse and can

Poll Evil is a condition in horses causing painful swelling and infection of the poll area, typically from trauma or bacteria.
Bone / Joint Disease

Poll Evil

Poll Evil This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Poll evil is a condition that starts out as an inflammation of the bursa in the neck and progresses to a large abscess at the poll,

Locking Stifles is a condition where a horse's patella temporarily locks, causing hind leg stiffness and movement difficulty.
Bone / Joint Disease

Locking Stifles

Locking Stifles Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease. The patella (knee cap) is a mobile structure that glides over the joint surface during locomotion, but can also be locked in position by various ligaments and tendons. When the

Traumatic arthritis in horses is joint inflammation caused by physical injury, leading to pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
Bone / Joint Disease

Traumatic Arthritis

Traumatic Arthritis Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment Traumatic arthritis (TA) which is caused by excessive/abnormal use or from an acute injury. Any movement, irregular conformation or traumatic injury that affects the usage of the joint can result in

Each article dives into the causes behind these ailments, evidence-based treatments, and practical tips for prevention. Whether you’re looking for advice on managing your horse’s workload, signs to watch for, or seeking guidance on when to consult a veterinarian, we’ve got you covered.
 
Stay informed and empowered to give your horse the best possible care. Explore our collection of articles above and equip yourself with the knowledge needed to maintain your horse’s bone and joint health.
 
Think your horse may have a bone or joint disease?  Check out the Happie Horse Symptom Checker.