🔁 Vet Insight: Longeing and Joint Health in Horses | 2025 Exercise Impact & Injury Prevention Guide 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Longeing is a staple of many horse training and exercise programs. It’s great for building obedience, fitness, and warm-ups. But recent discussion—and new research—is shining a light on its potential to **stress equine joints**, especially when done frequently or at speed. 🧠🐎

In this 2025 guide, I’ll break down what longeing really does to your horse’s joints, when it’s safe, and how to minimize risk while keeping your horse fit and sound. 🦴📉

🔍 What Is Longeing?

Longeing involves working a horse in a controlled circle on a long lead, while the trainer stands in the center. The horse moves around in a **repetitive circular pattern** at various gaits—walk, trot, and canter. 🌀

It’s used for:

• 🏃 Conditioning
• 🧠 Obedience and voice training
• 🎯 Preparing a horse for riding or showing
• 💤 Controlled exercise for recovery or warm-up

While longeing has many benefits, the repeated circular motion comes with risks—especially to the **joints of the front limbs and hocks**. 🦵

🧠 Why Circles Are Hard on Joints

In straight-line exercise, the **load on a joint is distributed evenly** across the joint surface. But in circular motion, the joint compresses unevenly, increasing **concentrated stress** on a much smaller surface area. 🔬

Dr. Brian Nielsen, PhD, from Michigan State University, explains:

• 🧬 Circles reduce the **load-bearing surface**
• ⚖️ Joint load is focused on one side of the joint
• 📉 The smaller and faster the circle, the more intense the stress

Over time, this repetitive strain may increase the risk of **joint injury, inflammation, or arthritis**. 🧠

📊 What the Research Is Exploring

Although much of the concern is based on **anecdotal evidence**, Michigan State University is actively researching **how different circle sizes and speeds impact joint health**. 📊🔬

This research aims to define safe longeing parameters to help trainers and veterinarians prevent overuse injuries in horses. ✅

⚠️ When Longeing Becomes Risky

Longeing once in a while—especially at low speed—is unlikely to cause harm. But using longeing as a **daily fitness routine**, especially at the trot or canter in **small circles**, can put horses at serious risk of joint damage. 🚨

Common Mistakes That Increase Risk:

• ⚠️ Using longeing for **long durations daily**
• 🐎 Working horses at **fast gaits** (trot/canter) in tight circles
• 🔁 Using it as a **primary conditioning method** without variation

Imagine running in circles on one leg—your knees and ankles would hurt after a few days. Horses feel that too. 🧍‍♂️➡️🐎

✅ Safer Longeing Tips for 2025

🔁 Best Practices:

• 📏 Use **large diameter circles** (20m or more when possible)
• ⏱️ Limit longeing sessions to **15–20 minutes**, 2–3 times per week
• 🧠 Mix in **straight-line work, riding, or hand-walking**
• ♻️ Change direction frequently to balance stress on both sides
• 🏇 Keep gaits **low-impact**—favor walk and trot over repeated cantering

Longeing is a tool—not a cure-all. Use it intentionally, not excessively. 🧠💡

📲 Use Ask A Vet for Joint Health Support

The Ask A Vet app helps horse owners monitor joint stress and plan training schedules to reduce the risk of arthritis and overuse injuries:

• 📱 Track how often you longe and at what gaits
• 🦴 Get guidance on soreness, swelling, or lameness post-longeing
• 📋 Ask about cross-training options to reduce joint impact
• 📈 Use video analysis to assess gait abnormalities

It’s your virtual assistant for joint-conscious conditioning. 🐴📲

✅ Longeing Takeaways for 2025

• 🔁 Longeing puts **uneven stress on horse joints**—especially when overused
• 🧠 Straight-line work distributes load more evenly
• 📉 Risk increases with **speed, frequency, and small circles**
• ✅ Use longeing sparingly, on large circles, and with variety
• 📱 Ask A Vet for personalized joint health training advice

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Longeing is a valuable training method—but like all tools, it must be used wisely. Overuse or poor technique can contribute to joint stress and injury over time. By being aware of the risks and adjusting your routine accordingly, you’ll keep your horse’s joints healthier, longer. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app to get expert help creating safe training plans and evaluating joint issues before they become long-term problems. 🐎📱