Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain and reduced performance in horses, requiring long-term welfare-focused management strategies.
Chronic osteoarthritis in horses represents a significant ongoing welfare challenge. Pain is often underestimated because horses mask discomfort, and subtle behavioural signs such as reluctance, back pain and ridden resistance are frequently misinterpreted as training problems rather than pain responses. Welfare-centred management requires regular veterinary assessment, appropriate pain management, therapeutic farriery, and honest assessment of quality of life as the condition progresses. Retirement to appropriate low-intensity exercise is often the most welfare-positive option.