The words, “Your horse needs injections” can be scary. The image of a needle entering the horse’s joint alongside the fear of joint degradation can be enough to turn a first-time horse owner away from the idea.
So why on Earth are joint injections used so commonly for horses?
Sore Joints in Horses
Horses are competitive athletes. With each new season, they are bred to run faster, turn harder, and jump higher than before. While they may love their jobs, the hard miles of work can place wear and tear on their bodies.
In the joints of horses (and humans too!), a fluid called synovial fluid fills the joint space. Its purpose is to maintain the fluidity of movement, oiling the joints so that they can function smoothly.
Over time, this synovial fluid can begin to decrease in viscosity, becoming thinner, and reducing its effectiveness. This can cause inflammation in the joint, shown in your horse through the following symptoms.
- Pain. As prey animals, horses are good at hiding pain. They may not limp but may try to tell you that they are painful through sudden negative changes in behavior. Soreness may also be seen through suddenly reduced performance.
- Lameness. Depending on the level of pain and inflammation, lameness (limping) may be visible.
- Swelling. A build-up of fluid occurring around a joint may indicate that the horse’s joint is inflamed. Swelling can also be indicative of various other ailments, but further investigation from your vet can help determine if sore joints are present.
- Flexion tests. Once you suspect your horse’s joints are sore and call your vet, they can perform flexion tests. The vet will put pressure on each joint, evaluating for a pain response. Flexing healthy joints will not invoke a pain response from your horse.
Treating for soreness with joint injections
So your vet determines your horse’s joints are sore. Now what?
There are three types of injections used in the treatment of joints.
- Intramuscular (IM). Performed in the muscle.
- Intravenous (IV). Performed in the jugular vein in the horse’s neck.
- Intra-articular (IA). Performed directly into the joint space.
IM and IV injections tend to be used for a whole-body approach to soreness while IA injections efficiently target the exact sore joint. Usually, a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid (HA) combination solution is injected. Research has shown that this combination lasts longer and is more effective than the individual components.
HA is naturally found in the synovial fluid of the joints. Therefore, the IA injection containing HA replaces the old fluid and creates a healthier joint space for the cartilage within. Joint injections are usually performed 1-3 times per year and can be costly, ranging from $60 to $250 per joint.
Repeated injections in the same joint in a short time period, such as within weeks, can do more harm than good. However, maintenance spread throughout the year is important for allowing the horse function and perform at their best.
Risks of joint injections in horses
While uncommon, the entry of a needle into the joint introduces a risk of infection. Infection in the joint can lead to cartilage destruction, arthritis, and loss of joint function. However, your vet should take tedious precautions to prevent this.
- Sedation. Most horses are sedated prior to injections to reduce the chances of them moving or kicking. Movement increases the risk of harm to themselves and the veterinarian.
- Antiseptic and scrub. The site of injection should be thoroughly cleaned using multi-stage surgical techniques.
- Sterile equipment. The vet should use sterile gloves, needles, and additional supplies for the injection.
- Follow up. Some joints, especially those in the feet, are kept wrapped for 24 hours with alcohol and sterile cotton post-injection.
Joint supplements for horses
Can joint supplements replace the need for injections? Unfortunately not.
When joint health ingredients enter the body orally, the ingredients travel through the digestive system. There, only a portion of the eaten amount is absorbed into the body. Evidence suggests as little as 2-5% of the ingested dosage is actually absorbed and used by the joints of the horse, which is significantly less effective than an IA injection directly into the joint space.
That’s not to say joint supplements are a hoax. Supplements can be beneficial as they can extend the length of time needed between joint injections and aid in day-to-day maintenance.
If you are thinking about feeding a joint supplement, consider the following ideas.
- Brand. Is the supplement company well known? Are they a research-based company, or do they have vets on their team? Even if the answer is yes, this does not promise results but it is a step in the right direction.
- Ingredients. What ingredients does the supplement include to promise results? Is the dosage correct to make a difference?
- Research. What research is there about the product you are considering and its ingredients? Is there any proven effectiveness? If you need help with this, your trusted vet likely has a few research-proven products they can recommend.
- Cost. Is the length of time between injections that supplements add worth the extra cost of the supplement?
The bottom line
The decision to inject, supplement, or both, to maintain your horse’s joints can be a difficult and expensive decision, one that your vet can advise you on best. Regardless of what you chose, don’t base your decision out of fear of injections. They aren’t as risky as they may have at first appeared — and your horse will thank you.
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