Itโ€™s a cold day, so I bring my horse, Cody, into the indoor arena to run around for a bit and stretch his legs before I bring out the tack. As he starts to trot, I hear surprisingly loud โ€œpop, popโ€ sounds that seem to be coming from his knees. Cody doesnโ€™t seem bothered by these joint noises โ€“ he gives a few kicks and canters in large circles before coming back to the arena gate. He seems fine, but to me those sounds were extremely alarming. Should I be worried?

Probably not, according to Dr. Kathleen MacMillan of the University of Prince Edward Islandโ€™s Equine Ambulatory Service, who says that cracking or popping sounds from the hips, knees, fetlocks, hocks, and stifles are usually caused by gas pockets moving around in the joints (similar to when we crack our knuckles). As she explains, there is always some gas dissolved in the synovial fluid that surrounds the joints and as the joint moves, you may hear popping sounds. Another possible cause may be ligaments that are a little bit lax and as they slide across the horseโ€™s joints, they may also cause a popping sound. โ€œThese noises donโ€™t mean there is anything wrong with the horse, but people do panic at times when they hear them,โ€ says MacMillan. โ€œAs long as the horse is sound, they are usually not a concern.โ€ Joint noises may be more common in older horses, because they lose a little fitness and strength, creating more laxity in the ligaments and therefore more popping sounds.

When do joint noises become a concern? โ€œIf the horse is lame and has damage to the cartilage, you may hear a bone-on-bone grinding sound as the horse moves,โ€ says MacMillan. โ€œI have only heard it a few times myself and it is not a very nice sound! This horse would be significantly lame and almost unable to bear weight at all.โ€ If a horse has previously not had any noises from his joints and suddenly starts making them, MacMillan says it is not likely to be a problem, but she would recommend monitoring the horse closely to ensure there is no lameness developing.

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