Horses are athletic animals, oftentimes confined for long hours then exercised hard. Such activity cycles, along with accidents and other trauma, can lead to joint inflammation and loss of movement. This pathology often takes the form of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is basically the breakdown of the cartilage which lines the bones that make up a joint. Cartilage can be worn down to the point that actual bone material rubs together. In some cases cartilage fragments break off which can irritate adjacent muscles. As the joint wears and becomes distorted, pain can occur in the muscles that support and generate movement in the joint.

Fortunately cartilage is a material that under proper conditions can stabilize itself to some degree. If some corrective remodeling of the tissues can be encouraged and "wear and tear" to the joint is reduced, some long term restoration of joint function and reduction of pain can be achieved.

While there are a number of products and preparations for sale for the treatment of arthritis in horses, there have been good results documented with the following medications and supplements when combined with controlled therapeutic exercise.

Glucosomine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are both "over the counter" supplements that can be added to the horse's daily ration. Recent studies in Toronto have shown that Glucosomine Sulfate in particular has resulted in improvement of arthritic joints in clinical studies.

Chondroitin is a natural component of joint cartilage and chondroitin sulfate is believed to block certain enzymes that tend to break down cartilage. While experts disagree on how much chondroitin is actually absorbed when taken orally, preliminary findings suggest that chondroitin supplements are linked to the stabilization and sometimes the functional restoration of certain arthritic joints.