AFTER a winter of limited turnout as a result of relentless wet weather, which made fields resemble mud baths, many owners now find themselves with limited opportunity to exercise their horses due to the Covid-19 lockdown. This can cause real difficulty in managing any horse, but particularly one with underlying arthritis.
Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Joints are made up of cartilage – the smooth material that forms the primary weight-bearing surface – and underlying bone. The synovial membrane lines the inside of the joint and produces synovial fluid, a thick substance that lubricates the joint during movement.
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, where progressive degeneration of the cartilage occurs. This is accompanied by inflammation, with a proliferation of the synovial membrane and changes in bone both around the joint and beneath the cartilage. The synovial fluid becomes thinner and often increases in volume.
Osteoarthritis is caused by a number of factors, including ageing, mechanical overload and genetics, and may result from either abnormal loading of a normal joint or normal loading of an abnormal joint.
Abnormal stresses on a normal joint can be compounded by factors such as obesity, trauma, a defect in the joint surface or altered loading. Abnormal joint physiology may be exacerbated by the ageing, inflammation and fatigue of the components of the joint. Both result in cartilage breakdown, an ineffective repair response and mechanical failure, causing joint destruction and pain.
Denne historien er fra April 23, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 23, 2020-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions