Surreal image of a horse with glowing bones, representing equine bone health.

Bisphosphonates for Horses: Are They Right for Your Equine Friend?

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 3 min read.

"A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Using Bisphosphonates in Equine Care"

As horse owners, we are always looking for ways to keep our equine companions healthy and happy. When our horses experience pain or mobility issues, finding effective treatments becomes a top priority. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that have become increasingly common in equine veterinary medicine, offering a potential solution for managing pain and improving bone health.

But what exactly are bisphosphonates, and how do they work? Are they safe for all horses? What are the potential risks and benefits? This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about bisphosphonates for horses, helping you make informed decisions about your horse's care.

Whether your horse is suffering from navicular syndrome, osteoarthritis, or another bone-related condition, understanding bisphosphonates can empower you to work with your veterinarian to develop the best possible treatment plan.

What Are Bisphosphonates and How Do They Work in Horses?

Surreal image of a horse with glowing bones, representing equine bone health.

Bisphosphonates are synthetic drugs that primarily target bone metabolism. In horses, they are used to manage conditions characterized by excessive bone breakdown or remodeling. Two bisphosphonates commonly used in equine medicine are tiludronate and clodronate.

These drugs work by inhibiting osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue. By reducing osteoclast activity, bisphosphonates help to slow down bone resorption, allowing the bone to rebuild and strengthen. This can lead to reduced pain, improved mobility, and better overall bone health.

Tiludronate: Approved for managing navicular syndrome and osteoarthritis in horses.
Clodronate: Used to treat lameness associated with navicular disease and bone spavin (osteoarthritis of the hock).

While both drugs function similarly, they have subtle differences in their chemical structure and how they are administered. Always consult with your veterinarian to determine the most appropriate bisphosphonate for your horse's specific condition.

Making Informed Decisions About Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates can be a valuable tool in managing pain and improving bone health in horses. However, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The decision to use bisphosphonates should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, taking into account your horse's individual condition, health history, and potential risks and benefits. By working closely with your vet, you can ensure that your horse receives the best possible care and enjoys a happy, healthy life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.15653/tpg-170804, Alternate LINK

Title: Einsatz Von Bisphosphonaten Beim Pferd – Eine Literaturübersicht

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag KG

Authors: Katja Düsterdieck-Zellmer

Published: 2018-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are bisphosphonates and how do they work to improve bone health in horses?

Bisphosphonates, such as tiludronate and clodronate, are synthetic drugs used in horses to manage conditions involving excessive bone breakdown. They function by inhibiting osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bone tissue. By reducing the activity of osteoclasts, these medications help slow down bone resorption, allowing the bone to rebuild and strengthen, which reduces pain and improves mobility.

How do tiludronate and clodronate differ in their applications for treating equine lameness?

Tiludronate is specifically approved for managing navicular syndrome and osteoarthritis in horses. It helps to reduce bone resorption in these conditions, alleviating pain and improving bone health. Clodronate, on the other hand, is used to treat lameness associated with navicular disease and bone spavin, also known as osteoarthritis of the hock. While both drugs have similar functions, they have subtle differences in their chemical structure and how they are administered, making one potentially more suitable than the other depending on the specific condition.

What factors should be considered before deciding to use bisphosphonates for a horse?

Bisphosphonates can be a valuable tool in managing pain and improving bone health in horses, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The decision to use bisphosphonates should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, considering your horse's individual condition, health history, and potential risks and benefits. Consulting with your vet ensures the horse receives the best care.

What role do osteoclasts play in bone health, and how do bisphosphonates affect them?

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue, a process known as bone resorption. Bisphosphonates like tiludronate and clodronate work by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, which slows down bone resorption and allows the bone to rebuild and strengthen. This is particularly beneficial in conditions where excessive bone breakdown leads to pain and reduced mobility, such as navicular syndrome and osteoarthritis.

What important considerations about bisphosphonates are not covered, and what are their implications?

While the text discusses the benefits of bisphosphonates like tiludronate and clodronate in managing specific conditions like navicular syndrome, osteoarthritis, and bone spavin by targeting osteoclasts, it does not delve into potential side effects or contraindications. Factors such as kidney function, concurrent medications, and the horse's overall health should be considered. Discussing long-term effects and monitoring protocols would also provide a more comprehensive understanding. Additionally, alternative or adjunctive therapies, like NSAIDs or joint supplements, could be mentioned for a more balanced perspective on managing equine bone health.