Bone spavin is a common cause of hind limb lameness in horses. Understanding this degenerative joint condition helps owners provide appropriate welfare-focused management.
Bone spavin causes chronic progressive hind limb pain that affects movement, performance, and basic comfort. Horses with active inflammation in the distal tarsal joints experience pain with every step, particularly when collecting or engaging the hindquarters. Stiffness after rest and warming up reflects the inflammatory nature of early disease. Inadequate pain management leads to compensatory movement patterns that stress other joints and soft tissues, creating a cascade of secondary problems. Proactive management prevents needless suffering in this common condition.