Intra-articular injections are commonly used in horse performance management, requiring careful welfare consideration of indication, frequency, and informed consent.
Joint injection welfare concerns are most acute when they are used to enable continued performance in horses whose underlying condition warrants rest or retirement. Injections that mask pain without enabling healing allow horses to continue work that further damages already compromised joints. The welfare-positive use of joint injections involves treating primary pathology while simultaneously providing appropriate rest and rehabilitation. Repeated high-frequency injections of corticosteroids can cause cartilage degeneration that worsens long-term welfare outcomes. Transparent veterinary communication with owners about both the purpose and the risks of joint injection is an ethical requirement that directly affects horse welfare decisions.