How to Adapt Play for Horses Showing Signs of Pain or Discomfort

Author: Dr. Kirsty Husby, DVM, MS, DACVS (LA) Senior Technical Services Veterinarian

Horses thrive on physical and mental stimulation, but when health issues like joint pain or osteoarthritis set in, their ability to engage in their usual forms of play may become limited. As a responsible and loving horse owner, it’s important to ensure your horse continues to experience enrichment, even if their mobility or comfort has changed. Making adjustments to their environment and activities can help maintain their quality of life while keeping them comfortable.

The Importance of Enrichment

Enrichment isn’t just about entertainment—it plays a crucial role in a horse’s well-being. Lack of stimulation can lead to behavioral issues such as weaving, cribbing, or excessive pacing. When pain or discomfort prevents a horse from engaging in their normal routines, alternative forms of enrichment must be introduced to keep them mentally and physically active in a way that accommodates their needs.

Adjusting Turnout and Environment

Where and how a horse spends its time outdoors can make a significant difference in managing discomfort. Consider these adjustments:

• Turnout Areas: Providing a soft, even surface can help minimize joint strain. If possible, avoid areas with steep inclines or deep mud that can make movement more difficult.

• Shelter and Rest Spots: Ensure your horse has easy access to shelter and comfortable resting areas, such as dry bedding or soft footing, where they can relax without additional stress on their joints.

Modifying Play and Enrichment Activities

Encouraging play without unnecessary strain is key. Here are some ways to modify enrichment for horses with joint pain:

• Low-Impact Toys: Hanging treat balls or puzzle feeders can provide mental stimulation without requiring excessive movement.

• Ground-Based Play: Instead of activities that involve running and jumping, introduce enrichment like hay nets at different heights or objects they can nuzzle and push around.

• Companion Interaction: Turnout with a calm companion can encourage gentle movement and social engagement without the intensity of rough play.

Adjusting Training and Exercise

If you are still riding or working with your horse, adapting your training program is crucial to ensure their comfort.

• Gentle Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs: Take extra time to warm up your horse’s joints with slow walking and stretching exercises.

• Low-Impact Work: Groundwork exercises, light trail rides, and shorter training sessions can help maintain mobility without overexertion.

• Hydrotherapy and Massage: These can help alleviate discomfort and keep your horse feeling more comfortable in their daily activities.

Dr. Kirsty Husby, DVM, MS, DACVS (LA), says, “Enrichment is vital for mental and physical health. Low impact activities help maintain mobility, prevent stiffness, and support joint health without excessive strain. Social interaction and environmental enrichment reduces stress, which often serves to exacerbate discomfort. Keeping horses mentally and physically engaged enhances both their comfort and their overall well-being.” 

Keeping Your Horse Happy and Comfortable

Horses with joint pain still deserve to live a fulfilling and enriched life. By making thoughtful adjustments to their environment, playtime, and training, you can help your horse stay engaged and comfortable. 

Additionally, ask your vet if an option likeSpryng® with OsteoCushion™ Technology, an intra-articular injectable veterinary medical device, would be an appropriate addition to your horse’s joint care plan. Injection of Spryng provides a shock-absorbing matrix with natural fluid biomechanics that increases synovial fluid viscosity. This helps to support mobility and comfort in affected horses with no drug interactions or systemic effects.

According to Dr. Husby, “Effective joint health management is best accomplished via a multimodal approach, or combining the use of multiple modalities such as joint supplements, targeted exercise, intra-articular injections, chiropractic therapy, and more. Once injected into the joint, Spryng supports long term joint health by decreasing inflammation and encouraging redevelopment of more normal healthy joint tissue.”