A horse's joints are subjected to stresses, pressures, and cyclic trauma every day of the animal's life. The greatest stress occurs when the horse is moving rapidly, jumping, or sliding to a stop, but even when he is walking around the pasture or paddock, some stress is placed on the joints of the legs.

As time goes on, these stresses are responsible for wear and tear that can cause joint problems. Often the problem involves highly important membranes within the joint that help contribute to frictionless movement. They are called the synovial membranes, and when they become diseased or injured, the condition is referred to as synovitis. Synovitis refers to inflammation that occurs in the tendon sheath or the inner lining of the joint capsule. The tendon sheath is a sac that encloses regions of a tendon, found in areas where the tendon roses a high-motion joint. The inner lining of a tendon sheath produces synovial fluid. The joint capsule is a thin, saclike structure that envelopes and contains all the elements of a joint, including an inner lining that produces synovial fluid.

Whether synovial membrane problems occur in the front or the hind depends on the horse's activity. One reason veterinarians see forelimb synovitis is 60-65% of a horse's weight is carried on his forehand. Stress on the joints from concussion and exaggerated movement increases when the horse travels at speed. A racehorse, for example, puts tremendous stress on his forelimbs when traveling at a high rate of speed. The same can be true of the Grand Prix jumper who soars over fences that might be six feet high. Cutting horses, reining horses, team penning horses, and roping horses also are subject to special stresses on the hind limbs.

Even well-constructed joints can be afflicted with synovitis and other problems due to ongoing wear and tear from vigorous activity over a period of time. Synovial membranes are key shock absorbers in each joint, and damage can result in synovitis.

• The first indication of something awry is when you notice that a joint is puffy, warm and tender to the touch. Often the first-line treatment of choice involves the application of cold water to the injured joint in order to reduce inflammation.
• The next step would be to consult a veterinarian. There are a variety of treatment choices out there, and they often work best when administered in the early stages of joint disease or injury. Treatment approaches range from extracorporeal shock wave therapy, to interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein, to injections of healing drugs directly into the joint.

There might be no way to prevent the onset of synovitis, but owners can minimize problems that result.

• Monitor limbs for abnormal swelling daily;
• Monitor horse for lameness daily;
• Know where the commonly affected structures are for synovitis (knee, hock, and fetlock);
• Have wounds that are near synocial structures, even when they appear superficial, assessed by a veterinarian immediately; and
• Return to work from any layoffs gradually.

The synovial membranes are key elements in a horse's joints, and when they are compromised, immediate steps should be taken to return them to good health.

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Newsletter prepared by Margie Turner. Reference sources include http://original.britannica.com, the horse.com, Orthopedic Research at North Carolina State University. Newsletter is intended for informational use only. Contact your veterinarian for all of your equine health issues and concerns.