Hello again, and I hope you're enjoying the long-awaited sunshine! ☀️

So, the husband came back from Glastonbury Festival with knees the size of rugby balls. No surprise, considering his FitBit said he’d walked 75-miles over the festival duration.

Agreed, not bad for a bloke whose only exercise is a daily dog walk and standing up for a few hours (on an ortho support mat) putting together our products and orders. However, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and later on I gently reminded him that he’s no spring chicken now. He's turning 60 this year, and even though we all know that 60 is the new 40 (at least that’s what we tell ourselves), perhaps next year he ought to put in a bit of training beforehand. After all, no one can run the London Marathon without a bit of preparation.

So, he’s been slathering on our JSTGel for a few days, and I’m pleased to report that his knees now look normal again.

Which links us nicely to the hard ground out there and its impact on our horses' limbs.

A horse's hooves and legs are designed to absorb force, but the increased force on firmer ground means their muscles and joints take the brunt of the impact. Hard ground heightens the potential for injury to all parts of a horse's body as tendons, ligaments, joints, bones, and muscles are put under increased stress. Factor in uneven or rutted ground, excessively hot conditions, and poor conformation, and these can further influence a horse's predisposition to injury.

We all wince if we hear the sound of hooves clattering on hard ground, especially if they've got shoes on - it’s concerning for anyone mindful of a horse’s long-term joint health. However, it’s not the unyielding surface that will break under pressure - it’s our horse’s limbs that will bear the brunt.

When a horse gallops on a firm surface, the impact forces are primarily absorbed by the hoof structures and then transmitted up the leg into the bones, joints, and soft tissues. Repeated exposure can lead to severe issues, including nerve damage. Nerves are particularly sensitive to continued jarring and irritation, and damaged nerves can prevent a horse from feeling pain when injured. This lack of pain sensation can worsen injuries and result in muscle weakness or affect the horse's sense of balance.

Meanwhile, for our showjumpers and eventers, we risk subchondral bone disease from repeatedly landing over large fences or galloping on firm ground, with early lameness often preceding significant damage.

Common injuries from hard ground

• Concussion and jarring
• Bruised soles
• Splints
• Tendon injuries
• Sore shins: common in racehorses, but also seen in other horses on hard ground, marked by swelling in front of the cannon bone, potentially leading to fractures if not rested
• Laminitis: not always due to weight; some cases in summer result from concussion affecting the sensitive laminae

Early warning signs

Not all horses feeling the effects of hard ground will be obviously lame. Subtle indicators include:

• Shortened stride: The horse will likely reduce their stride length to minimize jarring.
• Increased muscle tension: Muscles work harder to stabilize limbs, affecting overall performance.
• Reluctance to jump: Another reason why a horse might refuse to jump; they know it’s going to hurt when they land.
• Flattening and rushing over fences: If your horse is giving you a less smooth jump, it could be about intentionally lessening their landing impact.
  
  

If this resonates with you and you’re looking to support your horse through the summer hard-ground season, we can help.

Our comprehensive range of functional, regenerative supplements is specifically formulated for your horse's joint comfort and mobility. Supporting flexibility, joint stiffness, arthritis, tendons/ligaments, collagen/cartilage formation, natural anti-inflammatories, comfort. You name it - whatever the reason, our joint and soft tissue range is here to support your horse’s therapeutic mobility routine.

🌿Explore our Joints & Mobility shop for tailored, certified organic solutions.

🌿For our comprehensive guide to natural approaches for optimal equine joint comfort and health, visit our Nutrition by Condition / Joints & Mobility page.

Till next time,

Carol

Founder, EquiNatural Ltd