Fibrous Osteodystrophy in Horses

Because this disease is caused by dietary calcium to phosphorus imbalance, treatment begins with first correcting mineral balance in the diet. If caught quickly enough in mature horses, most of the damage can be reversed and the bones will remineralize.
The disease is a bigger problem for young horses as their bones have not finished growing and ossifying. The demineralization from inadequate bone calcium can cause permanent damage to young horses even once the diet is corrected.
Calcium can be added to the diet by feeding alfalfa hay or providing calcium carbonate. However, calcium supplementation alone may not be sufficient.
The most common treatment is the administration of a bisphosphonate drug approved for use in horses. This drug works by binding and inhibiting the action of osteoclasts—cells that break down bone.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are sometimes used to treat bone pain, but these medications do not cure the condition.