🐴 Physitis in Young Horses: Vet Nutrition & Care Tips for 2025 🍼🦴

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Physitis is a painful and often preventable condition seen in rapidly growing foals between 3 and 6 months of age. In 2025, our understanding of this growth-related disorder continues to improve, offering better outcomes through smart nutrition and management. If you’re raising young horses, this guide will help you identify physitis early, adjust their diet safely, and support their recovery. 🧠🍼

🧬 What Is Physitis?

Physitis is the inflammation of the growth plate—also known as the physis—located near the ends of long bones. These areas are crucial for skeletal development and are especially active in growing foals. The most commonly affected sites include:

• 🦵 Just above the knees (carpal physis)
• 🐾 Above the fetlocks (metacarpal/metatarsal physis)
• 🐎 Just above the hock (tarsal physis)

When overloaded—usually due to excess energy or rapid growth—these growth plates become inflamed and swollen. 😖🔥

🔍 Clinical Signs to Watch For

Foals affected by physitis may show:

• 🔸 Swelling around the joint (especially symmetrical)
• 🔸 Warmth and sensitivity on palpation
• 🔸 Stiffness or short, painful steps
• 🔸 Lameness—mild to severe

The condition is often bilateral and symmetrical, especially in the front legs. Early intervention is key to prevent long-term skeletal issues. 🛑

📸 Diagnosis: Rule Out Fractures

While physitis can often be suspected based on clinical signs, radiographs are necessary to confirm the diagnosis and rule out more serious issues like:

• 🩻 Growth plate fractures
• 🩻 Angular limb deformities
• 🦴 Osteomyelitis (infection)

Only imaging can differentiate between physitis and more urgent skeletal problems. 🧪

🥕 The Role of Nutrition in Physitis

One of the primary causes of physitis is overfeeding energy-rich diets. Many foals are given large amounts of grain or graze on lush pasture in an effort to achieve faster growth—especially in preparation for sales or shows. 📈

To prevent or manage physitis:

• 🌾 Switch to a good-quality grass hay (avoid rich alfalfa)
• 🍽️ Replace high-energy concentrates with a ration balancer
• 🍼 Consider weaning early if the mare produces excessive milk

Feeding goals should support steady, moderate growth rather than rapid weight gain. 📊

📦 Avoiding Common Nutritional Mistakes

Some breeders are hesitant to reduce caloric intake for fear of producing smaller foals. However:

• 🚫 Overfeeding leads to pain and lameness—not show-quality results
• ⚠️ Starvation is never the answer either—balance is key

Work with your vet or nutritionist to assess your foal’s diet based on:

• 🐎 Body weight and condition score
• 🔬 Growth rate
• 🥦 Forage and concentrate analysis

Supplemental vitamins and minerals may be needed to round out the diet. 🧠🥗

🚷 Exercise Management: Less Is More

While free movement is healthy for growing foals, those with physitis require confinement and rest. 🔐

• 🚪 Stall rest with short, controlled turnout
• 👣 Separate from the mare if she encourages constant movement
• 🛌 Soft, clean bedding to support sore limbs

Excessive exercise during active inflammation can worsen joint swelling and delay healing. 🛑⚠️

🩺 Veterinary Support & Follow-Up

If your foal is diagnosed with physitis, your veterinarian may recommend:

• 💊 Anti-inflammatories for pain control (e.g., NSAIDs)
• 📉 Adjusting diet to lower caloric intake and correct imbalances
• 🩻 Repeat radiographs to monitor growth plate health

Prognosis is good with early and appropriate care. Most foals recover fully and resume normal growth and development. 💪🐣

📲 Get Expert Feeding Help with AskAVet.com

Managing young horses’ diets can be complex, especially when growth-related issues like physitis arise. Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to get personalized feeding advice. 📱🥕

Dr Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team can help you assess your foal’s nutrition, movement, and overall conformation to ensure healthy development. 🐴💬

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, we understand that physitis in foals is closely linked to nutrition, exercise, and growth management. The good news? With early diagnosis and smart dietary changes, foals can make a full recovery and grow into strong, sound horses. 🧬🦵

Remember: don’t overfeed to meet a growth deadline. Prioritize long-term soundness and comfort. For guidance on foal nutrition and orthopedic health, reach out anytime at AskAVet.com 🐴🧠