Maintaining Senior Horse Joints

Maintaining Senior Horse Joints

Author: The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care November 17, 2023 Duration: 59:58

Maintaining joint health is important at all stages of your horse’s life, but he might need special considerations during his senior years. Two experts explain how to keep equine joints healthy and your senior horse sound in the long term. 

This podcast is sponsored by American Regent Animal Health.

About the Experts:

Luke Bass, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP is an associate professor in Equine Field Service at Colorado State University (CSU). He is board-certified through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP-Equine) and is certified in equine acupuncture. He served on the American Association of Equine Practitioners board of directors from 2019 to 2021 and will be chair of AAEP’s Educational Programs Committee from 2024 to 2025. Bass leads the Equine Field Service at CSU with three faculty members and two interns focusing on general practice, lameness examinations, dentistry, and emergency care.

Howland M. Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, of Summerville, South Carolina, received her DVM from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama, and completed internships in both general equine medicine and surgery and in advanced equine reproduction. She is certified in both veterinary acupuncture and veterinary medical manipulation. She has practiced along the East Coast over the course of 14 years, in addition to time in Germany providing veterinary care for some of the most elite show horses in Europe. In 2012 Mansfield was named by the South Carolina Horseman’s Council as the Horse Person of the Year for her efforts in equine rescue and in combating animal cruelty. She joined American Regent in 2023 as a technical services veterinarian where she can support the welfare of and improve health care for horses and small animals throughout the U.S.  


Ever find yourself puzzling over a subtle change in your horse's behavior or wishing you had a clearer understanding of that latest veterinary study? Ask The Horse brings those conversations directly to you, transforming complex equine health topics into accessible, actionable knowledge. Each episode features recorded live sessions where seasoned horse owners pose their real-world questions to a rotating panel of top veterinarians and specialists. You'll hear discussions that range from everyday hoof care and nutrition management to explanations of emerging therapies and diagnostic techniques. The format captures the spontaneous, insightful dialogue that happens when curious minds meet expert experience, all without the filter of a script. This podcast, presented by The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care, serves as a trusted resource for anyone invested in the wellbeing of their horse, whether you're a weekend trail rider or a competitive professional. It’s like having a front-row seat to a continuous learning community, where the shared goal is simply better care. Tune in to gain a deeper confidence in your decisions and to hear the nuanced, practical advice that can make a tangible difference in your daily routine with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 150

Ask The Horse
Podcast Episodes
Equine Colic 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:10
Equine colic refers to abdominal pain rather than a single disease and can arise from many causes, ranging from gas buildup to intestinal impaction. Horses with colic might show subtle signs such as reduced appetite or l…
Keeping Horses Sound as They Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:15
As horses age, managing their soundness using a multimodal approach becomes increasingly important. Experts emphasize proactive joint care, appropriate exercise, and routine veterinary evaluations. Regular, low-impact wo…
Managing Horses With Metabolic Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:13
Managing a horse diagnosed with metabolic problems means understanding how conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation increase the risk of serious complications, including laminitis. Hor…
Choosing the Right Supplement for Your Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:13
Horse owners often feed supplements to address gaps in their horses' diet that forage and concentrates might not meet, such as supporting joint comfort, hoof quality, or muscle recovery. Researchers suggest that suppleme…
Performance Horse Lameness Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
Lameness is the most common cause of poor performance in equine athletes, and researchers have shown that many behavioral issues under saddle are caused by physical pain. Proactive treatment strategies can help extend yo…
Managing Chronic Conditions in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:03
Caring for a horse with a long-term illness or injury requires both financial commitment and practical planning. Veterinary bills, medications, specialized feed, and management adjustments can add up quickly, so creating…
Mare Reproductive Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:39
Mare reproductive challenges can range from endometritis to ovarian irregularities such as hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles, ovarian hematomas, and persistent corpora lutea, all of which can disrupt normal cycles and fe…
So, You Want to Buy a Horse? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:26
Thinking about buying a horse? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or returning to horse ownership after time away, making the right decisions from the start can help ensure a rewarding and financially sustainable experien…
Understanding Hind-Limb Lameness in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
Hind-limb lameness in horses can be challenging for owners to spot and veterinarians to diagnose. It can affect horses of all ages and disciplines. Subtle signs, such as a shortened stride, reluctance to go forward, or t…
Planning for Equine Emergencies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:11
Planning ahead for equine emergencies can help you avoid delays in care and unexpected expenses, and reviewing your emergency protocol regularly helps protect both your horse’s health and your wallet. In this Ask TheHors…