Joint diseases are prevalent across the globe and can be classified as either degenerative or inflammatory.

Trooper joints, which are part of a horse’s forelimbs, are susceptible to various joint diseases that can lead to lameness, decreased performance, and expensive medical bills.

Here’s what you need to know about identifying the symptoms of trooper joint diseases.

What Are Trooper Joint Diseases?

Trooper joints are an essential part of the horse’s body that enable them to carry riders for miles at a time.

They are located between the cannon bone and the pastern bone and consist of three bones, including the upper splint bone, the cannon bone, and the lower pastern bone. Trooper joints are covered by a thin layer of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber for the joint.

Like other joint diseases, trooper joint diseases involve the inflammation and degeneration of the articular cartilage of the joint.

The most common trooper joint disease is osteoarthritis (OA), which occurs when the cartilage that covers the bone in the joint breaks down, causing the bone-on-bone friction that leads to pain, stiffness, and lameness.

Identifying Symptoms of Trooper Joint Diseases

The earlier you can identify the symptoms of trooper joint diseases, the sooner you can begin treatment and prevent serious damage that may require invasive surgery or, in some cases, leave the horse euthanized.

Here are the most common symptoms of trooper joint diseases:.

1. Lameness

The most common symptom of trooper joint disease is lameness, which is the horse’s inability to move correctly, smoothly, and without pain.

Trooper joint disease lameness is often more pronounced when the horse is in motion, and it’s more challenging to identify in a stationary animal. Watch for stiffness, reluctance to move forward, and an uneven gait.

2. Swelling

Joint swelling is a common symptom of trooper joint diseases. It’s essential to differentiate between swelling and filling, which happens after a horse has exerted himself, and the joint is filled with blood to assist in cooling the body.

Trooper joint swelling is usually located directly over the affected joint, and the skin may feel warm to the touch.

3. Joint Flexion

A veterinarian may test the animal’s joint flexion to identify trooper joint disease. Joint flexions test involves manipulating the joint as a way of inducing pain.

If the horse expresses discomfort during joint flexion, the test is considered positive.

4. Subtle Changes in the Horse’s Behavior

If your horse shows persistent signs of discomfort, even after the initial injury seems to have healed, they may be in the early stages of trooper joint disease.

Horses with trooper joint disease often avoid putting weight on the affected limb, even when at rest. They may also stand with their feet pointed out to the side, rather than squared up beneath them.

5. Reduced Performance

If you notice sudden drops in your horse’s performance, it could be a sign of trooper joint disease. Horses with reduced performance may be uncooperative or unwilling to engage in their usual riding activities, such as jumping or racing.

6. Soundness

Another way to identify trooper joint disease is through soundness – the horse’s ability to perform certain movements without experiencing pain or discomfort.

A sound horse moves great, while a lame horse’s movements are stilted, uneven, and painful.

7. Heat and Pain on Palpation

A straightforward way to diagnose trooper joint disease is through palpation – examining the joint by touch. If the horse experiences pain or discomfort when the joint is palpated, it could be a sign that he has trooper joint disease.

Conclusion

Identifying the symptoms of trooper joint diseases in horses is essential in ensuring early detection and effective treatment. If you observe any of the above symptoms in your horse, seek immediate medical attention from a licensed veterinarian.