Joint health is essential for every horse, whether they’re a high-performance athlete, a weekend warrior on the trail, or hanging in the pasture as a retiree. By approaching joint care from every angle — conformation, conditioning, farrier care, advanced therapies, and supplements — you can keep your horse moving comfortably for years to come. In this blog, we will dive into the key factors that contribute to equine joint health and how you can maximize your horse’s longevity and soundness.

Why is Joint Health Essential for Every Horse?

Let’s first paint the picture of why every horse requires some level of joint support. 

Most basically, joints are the foundation for movement, and horses are built for motion. As a horse trainer and mentor once shared with me, “Horses are not statues. Don’t expect them to be. They are meant to move around.” 

Joints connect bones, allowing for fluid motion, so they must be strong and well-lubricated to withstand daily stress. If a joint becomes inflamed, arthritic, or damaged, movement becomes painful, leading to stiffness, reduced performance, and potential long-term lameness.

Think about it this way: Every stride impacts the joints. A horse’s joints absorb concussive forces in every step, and this force is amplified, depending on your horse’s job:

• Jumpers and eventers land from significant heights, increasing stress on the fetlocks, pasterns, stifles, and hocks.

• Dressage horses perform collected movements that require extreme joint flexion in both hocks and stifles.

• Western performance horses execute sharp stops and turns, which put torque on stifles, hocks, and fetlocks.

Even horses in light work experience ‘wear and tear’ over time, making proactive joint care important at all levels, disciplines, and ages.

The good news about joint problems in horses is that they do not happen overnight. Arthritis, strain, and joint degeneration develop over time due to many factors, such as repetitive strain, poor conformation, or inadequate management. This is good news because you have the power to influence your horse’s joint health! By maintaining joint health from a young age through balanced nutrition, proper hoof care, controlled exercise, and veterinary support, you can delay or even prevent chronic joint issues. 

Below are some of the factors and considerations to support a full-360-degrees approach to joint health.

Conformation: The Foundation of Movement

Conformation is the foundation of a horse’s physical capabilities and limitations. While conformation is largely out of our control as horse owners, it is important to understand, as this can impact how your horse’s joints are predestined to age. 

Faults in conformation (and every horse has a fault, just like we do), like upright pasterns or toed-in legs, can lead to uneven weight distribution and increased wear on specific joints. For example, straight hind legs (post-legged horses) place excessive strain on stifles and hocks, while low heel, long toe conformation can stress the coffin joint and contribute to navicular issues.

While we can’t change a horse’s structure, recognizing these challenges helps us mitigate risks. Careful management, like adjusting workloads or customizing farrier care, can prolong joint health. You may also work with your veterinarian to take regular x-rays and track any changes in the susceptible joints over time. If you’re in the market to buy a horse, make sure that your pre-purchase exam has an aspect focusing on conformation, as this knowledge is invaluable for long-term soundness.

Fitness, Conditioning, and Body Condition Matter

This is not rocket science, but worth repeating: A well-conditioned horse at an optimal body weight is less likely to experience joint strain or injuries. Here are a few fitness tips for any horse:

• Develop a Training Plan: Regular hacks and conditioning are important. It is also a good idea to introduce new exercises or surfaces gradually to allow muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments time to adapt. When soft tissues in the joint are stronger, they can absorb shock better, and reduce joint stress. 

• Cross-Train: Incorporate hill work, cavalettis, or swimming into the routine to improve balance and overall strength without overloading the same joints.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Every pound of extra weight puts additional stress on joints. Horses with a high body condition score (BCS) are at increased risk of arthritis and soft tissue injuries. Regular exercise and a balanced diet help maintain an optimal BCS.

Fitness is more than just exercise — it’s about preparing the horse’s entire body to support its joints under the demands of their work.

Footing and Farrier Care

The surfaces your horse works on and the condition of their hooves significantly impact joint health. Even the strongest joints can’t withstand poor footing or hoof imbalances.

For starters, consider the footing that your horse is exposed to on a regular basis. Ideal surfaces have enough cushion to absorb shock without being too deep, which can strain tendons and ligaments. Consistent footing in arenas is crucial, but remember to vary surfaces during training to build resilience. Avoid long stretches of work on hard ground or uneven terrain, as this increases concussion on the joints. In general, as a rule of thumb, moderation is key. 

Secondly, do not skimp on your horse’s farrier appointments! It is common for owners to alter their farrier schedule in different seasons, but this is one of those “missing the forest for the trees” scenarios. Consistent farrier appointments are hugely important for your horse’s overall health. 

A skilled farrier can transform how weight and shock are distributed through a horse’s legs. Regular trimming and corrective shoeing for issues like long toes, underrun heels, or mismatched hooves are critical. Horses with specific challenges, such as navicular syndrome, often benefit from therapeutic shoes that reduce pressure on sensitive areas. If your horse faces a particular conformation challenge, work with a veterinarian and farrier team to implement the solution that will keep your horse comfortable and sound. 

Pharmaceutical Joint Support Options

If your horse is dealing with joint-related discomfort, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often the first line of defense. NSAIDs are especially useful for managing arthritis flare-ups or post-injury inflammation, and allowing horses to remain active while reducing pain, which helps prevent compensatory injuries.

It is important to remember that common NSAIDs, like phenylbutazone (bute) or firocoxib (Equioxx), are effective but must be used under veterinary guidance to avoid side effects like gastric ulcers or kidney damage. When used appropriately, they are a tool for maintaining mobility and quality of life, but are often not a long-term solution.

Injectable Therapies May Provide Targeted Support

Joint injections are common in the performance horse world, and this is because injectable therapies allow veterinarians to treat specific joints with precision. These treatments can offer quicker results and relief. 

Hyaluronic acid injections (e.g. Legend®), corticosteroid injections, and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan injections (e.g. Adequan®) have different roles, from reducing joint friction and inflammation to promoting cartilage repair. 

Injectables carry some risk, but are generally considered safe. Your veterinarian will be able to provide guidance on which ones would best benefit your horse and how often they may be needed. The sooner you have this discussion with your veterinarian the better, as proactive or preventative care is more effective than treating disease once it begins.

Regenerative Orthobiologic Solutions

Orthobiologic therapies are popular in certain settings, especially if your horse is recovering from an injury or as a preventative in a high-performance career. These joint care revolutionaries promote the body’s natural healing processes. Two common examples of orthobiologics include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy, but there are many others, and many that will likely continue to be developed.

Advanced therapies are particularly beneficial for horses with early arthritis or severe joint damage, providing long-term benefits and delaying the progression of disease. Again, talk to your veterinarian about your horse’s joint care plan, starting today.

Oral Joint Supplements

Equine joint supplements are widely used, and you know as well as we do that there are thousands of equine joint supplements on the market varying in efficacy and sound science.

Joint health is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and there are different techniques for proactive vs. reactive care. Most horses benefit from a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy. A joint supplement, like the Four Sixes Equine Joint Health Pellets, plays a critical role in the proactive plan by providing proven ingredients that support cartilage integrity, help manage inflammation, and support healthy joint fluid and lubrication. 

It is important to combine supplements with other joint care methods because:

• Supplements provide daily, long-term support

Unlike NSAIDs or injectable joint therapies that are often used reactively to treat existing discomfort, joint supplements work proactively to maintain joint integrity over time. Key ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and cetyl myristoleate help preserve cartilage health, nourish synovial fluid, and reduce low-grade inflammation before it becomes a problem.

• Joint supplements work synergistically with veterinary therapies 

Horses with existing joint issues often benefit from veterinary interventions like injectable steroids or orthobiologics. However, while these treatments provide targeted relief, they do not replace the daily nutrients needed to sustain joint health. A high-quality supplement may help extend the effects of injections and keep the joints healthy between veterinary visits.

• Joint supplements complement daily fitness programs

Proper exercise and conditioning strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support the joints, but high-impact work still puts stress on cartilage over time. By using a joint supplement alongside structured fitness routines, you help protect the joints from repetitive ‘wear and tear,’ keeping the horse moving freely and comfortably.

• Supplements can help support recovery from stress or injury

Even with the best management practices, horses can develop joint inflammation from overexertion, minor injuries, or the natural aging process. Supplements containing Boswellia serrata help the body manage inflammation and discomfort. 

Take the Whole-Horse Approach to Joint Health

Taking a 360-degree approach to joint health means addressing every aspect of your horse’s care, from daily management to cutting-edge therapies. Investing in joint health is not just about preventing injuries—it’s about giving your horse the quality of life they deserve, whether that’s winning ribbons or enjoying a gallop in the pasture.

Using a high-quality joint supplement alongside proper footing, farrier care, balanced nutrition, and veterinary support, creates a well-rounded approach that maximizes your horse’s comfort, mobility, and performance potential. Instead of relying on a single solution, combining strategies ensures stronger, healthier joints throughout a horse’s lifetime.

Remember, a joint supplement is not a replacement for good management—it’s an essential addition to a complete joint care program. Whether your horse is an elite athlete, a hardworking ranch horse, or a beloved trail companion, incorporating a supplement like the Four Sixes Equine Joint Health Pellets helps ensure comprehensive, long-term support.