Articular cartilage damage is a major source of chronic pain and welfare compromise in performance horses, requiring proactive management strategies to prevent irreversible joint damage.
Joint cartilage welfare in horses is particularly significant because damage is largely irreversible and progressive, making prevention far more effective than treatment. Horses with cartilage damage experience chronic pain that may be subtle initially but worsens as the disease progresses, affecting quality of life and ability to perform the work expected of them. The welfare challenge includes the economic pressure to continue working horses whose performance level indicates joint pain, and the widespread use of corticosteroid injections to suppress pain and maintain performance despite underlying joint damage. Welfare-conscious joint management requires honest assessment of pain levels and willingness to modify workload.