due to poor or unbalanced footwear), irregular terrain and hasty conditioning. The latter often causes muscle fatigue and does not protect the horse's joints from tripping or "bad steps" while working. Diagnosis The horse will suffer pain in flexion, or when the animal presses on the affected front of the fetlock, it is indicative of osselets, as is the short and short march that is the result of when both frontal fetlocks are involved. (Shoulder problems can also cause a horse to move that way, so watch carefully.) The heat and swelling around the fetlock will be obvious when a horse has osselets. Treatment When it first appears, it can be cured with rest, which is very important for treatment. To relieve inflammation, it is advisable to apply cold compresses for several days. Anti-inflammatory medications administered orally or by injection may also be used. Another treatment would be to inject corticosteroids into the joint. However, if this kind of medication is used while the horse continues its continuous training or racing, they will inevitably lead to the destruction of joint surfaces. See also Equine forelimb anatomy Equine anatomy References Equine injury and lameness