Osteochondrosis in horses is a developmental orthopedic disease where abnormal cartilage and bone formation leads to joint pain and lameness.

Osteochondrosis

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment

Osteochondrosis is a prevalent developmental orthopedic disease mostly found in growing horses. It affects the cartilage and bone flaps in the joints, which either stay partially attached or completely detach from the joint. The abnormal cartilage and flaps cause inflammation in the joint and will eventually lead to arthritis.

Causes for this disease include too rapid growth, hormone imbalance, nutritional deficiency, trauma, excessive exercising at a growing age and genetics.

Symptoms

  • Lameness
  • Abnormal change in gait
  • Stiff posture
  • Sensitive
  • Reduced Performance
  • Recumbency
  • Wasting
  • Joint Swelling
  • Reduced Range of Motion

Common in

  • Thoroughbreds
  • Warmbloods (esp. dutch warmbloods)
  • Standardbreds

Treatment

As soon as any abnormal cartilage and flaps are located, they should be surgically removed.

Prevention

To prevent this disease, it is best to keep a balanced diet with all the required nutrients from a young age.

Growing horses should not be excessively exercised to prevent any trauma. Regular height and weight measurement can help determine if the horse is growing at a normal rate or too fast. The conformation of the limbs should also be observed for any developing problems.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare. With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments. The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

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