This is done by providing a cartilage pad at each end of the bone and the connecting ends being covered by a joint capsule full of useful biochemicals, cells, and special tissue. The healthy equine joint is an important part of what makes the horse a superb athlete. Articular cartilage is capable of absorbing tremendous concussion, while synovial fluid lubricates and protects the soft tissue of the joint. Articular cartilage, seems to be the ideal tissue with which to make joints function best. Unfortunately, articular cartilage is one of the first tissues in the body to age and die, and it has poor powers of regeneration.
All horses develop degenerative joint disease soon or later- some sooner than later.
Degenerative joint disease is a wearing away of the protective joint cartilage, causing pain and reluctance to move around. Definitely not a good thing for the racehorse. Cartilage is made up of chondrocytes, and a matrix, or ground substance. Chondrocytes can grow and function without a blood supply. Actually, articular cartilage is a soft, porous, highly specialized connective tissue composed of chondrocytes, collagen, proteoglycans and water.