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Horse owners in
Central Florida are being invited to take part in a University of Florida study
aimed at improving how joint pain is identified and managed in horses; research
that could also have important implications for human medicine.
The project is a collaboration between the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Dentistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and the Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study focuses on developing better ways to detect pain associated with equine osteoarthritis (OA), one of the leading causes of lameness and reduced performance.
Osteoarthritis is a common condition in horses, particularly those involved in athletic activities such as racing, jumping, or regular trail riding. Repetitive stress on joints, especially the fetlocks, can lead to gradual degeneration. However, by the time a horse shows obvious signs of discomfort, such as lameness, significant joint damage may already have occurred.
Dr. Samantha Brooks, associate professor of equine physiology and genetics at UF/IFAS, says the goal is to shift detection much earlier. Rather than relying solely on visible clinical signs, the research team is testing non-invasive tools to identify subtle indicators of pain.
“We tend to treat symptomatically when horses show obvious clinical signs of pain, but if we can detect subtle joint pain sooner, we might be able to start treatment earlier and better preserve joint function,” Brooks explained. “Horses experience many of the same joint diseases as people, so improving how we measure their pain can also help us better understand arthritis in humans.”
Because horses cannot communicate where or when they feel discomfort, the study aims to develop more objective ways of assessing pain. Researchers will monitor movement patterns and behaviour using new technologies designed to pick up small changes that may otherwise go unnoticed.
The team is currently recruiting horses in Central Florida, particularly those already diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the fetlock joint. Owners of sound horses are also encouraged to participate, as these animals can serve as valuable comparison cases.
Participation is designed to be straightforward and minimally disruptive. Each enrolled horse will receive a free initial screening, including a basic lameness exam, radiographs (X-rays) of the fetlocks, and a blood sample. Researchers will then visit participating farms several times a year over a two-year period to observe horses in their normal environment, without requiring changes to their routine or management.
Owners are asked to complete a short survey, taking around 15 minutes, to determine eligibility. If a horse qualifies, the research team will coordinate directly with the owner to schedule farm visits and assessments.
Ultimately, the research aims to identify early markers of joint pain, enabling earlier intervention and more tailored treatments. For horse owners, that could mean better long-term soundness, improved comfort, and a higher quality of life for their animals.
For more details, see:
https://redcap.ctsi.ufl.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=CEYRXYRJFJ7AHNAR
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