RISK FACTOR

TOO MUCH WORK WITHOUT ENOUGH REST

While inactivity can be a risk factor for arthritis, so too, can excessive exercise. Without periodic days of rest, a horse’s body can’t keep up with managing the minor inflammatory processes that can be a natural consequence of any activity. Staying in

continual work escalates the inflammatory cascade, leading to arthritis.

For pleasure horses, downtime isn’t too hard to schedule. A day off after a longer-than-usual trail ride or a weekend of heavy showing usually coincides with the average rider’s work schedule anyway. But for horses in a serious competitive campaign or those who work for a living, such as lesson or ranch horses, scheduling days off can take some planning and compromise. But it’s critical to do so. During those “off” days, turnout in a large space with a friendly companion is ideal for allowing the horse to rest while still encouraging enough activity to avoid stiffness and keep joint fluid moving.