04/08/2025
It’s takes a village to keep your horses feeling and working their best.
We’re here to help in any way we can. Vet work, fitness, rehab, etc.
To schedule an appointment, text or call us at 501-472-8280
𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Good shoeing, exercise, and nutrition are critical. Time off is too. But time off alone does not “heal” joint inflammation. In fact, it can silently worsen.
There are exceptions. Some cases, like certain stifle issues, can improve with time off alone. But here’s the thing:
𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞.
They’re always standing, moving, and bearing weight on their joints, even on pasture rest.
Inflammation isn’t soreness. Soreness is a symptom. Inflammation is a process. When a joint is inflamed, enzymes begin breaking down cartilage. Synovial fluid loses viscosity. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more it changes the joint’s internal environment, and that damage doesn’t just vanish when the horse is resting.
Without intervention, inflammation continues degrading joint surfaces even when they’re standing still. That’s why some horses come off a break sound, but the stiffness or soreness returns as soon as you leg them back up.
Time off gives muscles and soft tissue a chance to recover, but joints can’t rebuild what’s lost. If anything, disuse can leave cartilage undernourished since it depends on movement for nutrition.
So yes… the right shoeing, nutrition, conditioning, and breaks all matter. But thinking that time off alone will reverse joint inflammation? That’s a gamble.
𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲.
They’re one of many tools that help horses feel good longer and last longer.
Don’t fear injections.
𝐃𝗼𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐗 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞
xxvets.com ◦ (940) 514-9500
