Does your horse click& crack?

Wonder what it is? Should you be worried? Read below to find out

Why Do Horses “Click” or “Crack”? Understanding Joint Sounds in Equine Bodies

When I’m treating horses, we often hear clicks, pops, cracks or clunks or sometimes they can just be heard when the horses is moving around or working and owners immediately worry something is wrong. The truth is: not all joint sounds are equal. Different noises come from different structures, and most of them are normal, harmless, and even therapeutic—but a few can indicate dysfunction. Below is a simple guide that explains the physiology behind each type of sound and when you need to pay attention.

1️⃣ Cavitation – the classic “crack” (like knuckle-clicking)

What it sounds like: a sharp, quick pop or crack

Where it comes from: synovial joints

Physiology: Inside synovial joints there’s synovial fluid containing dissolved gases (nitrogen, CO₂). When you apply a quick stretch, distraction, or decompression to a joint capsule—like during an adjustment—the pressure suddenly drops. This allows gas to form a bubble that rapidly collapses or “pops”.

This is called cavitation. Is it harmful? No. It is a normal physiological response and not damaging.

What it means during treatment

A cavitation often indicates:

• A change in joint spacing
• Decreased pressure within the capsule
• A small neurological “reset” in the area
• A release of joint restriction
• It is not bones cracking or rubbing.
• “It’s the same mechanism as humans clicking their knuckles—it’s just gas releasing in the joint fluid.”

2️⃣ Tendon or ligament “snapping” over a bony prominence

What it sounds like: a dull thunk or a soft snick

Often heard in: stifles, hocks, shoulders

Physiology: A tendon glides in a groove or over a bony ridge. If the biomechanics are slightly off—caused by posture, muscle tension, weakness, or fatigue — the tendon may momentarily “catch” and then release.

Common causes:

• Weakness through the stifles or pelvic stabilisers
• Tight pectorals, hamstrings, or Iliopsoas
• Poor core stability
• Mild postural compensation

Is it harmful? Usually not, unless it’s:

• Repetitive
• Combined with discomfort
• Creating instability

When to worry: If it’s accompanied by:

• Lameness
• Swelling
• Heat
• A sensation of the joint giving way
• Otherwise, it’s usually a sign of biomechanical imbalance, not structural damage

3️⃣ Crepitus – the one we do worry about

What it sounds like: grating, grinding, crunching, or a “rice crispy” noise

Physiology:Crepitus occurs when rough joint surfaces, osteophytes, cartilage wear, or inflamed tissues rub together. It can also occur with chronic soft-tissue fibrosis.

Associated with:

• Osteoarthritis
• Chronic inflammation
• Old injuries
• Degenerative joint changes
• This is the sound that can indicate pathology. It is deeper, rougher, and often felt through my hands when palpating or mobilising a joint.

When to worry? If combined with:

• Pain
• Heat/swelling
• Reduced range of motion
• Behavioural objections to movement
• Persistent lameness

4️⃣ Soft tissue friction sounds (harmless)

What they sound like: a faint squelch, shuffle, or soft click

Physiology: Sometimes the noises come not from joints but from:

Fascia sliding

Muscle fibres shifting

Fluid moving through soft tissue compartments

Slight adhesion releasing

This is extremely common—especially in tight or dehydrated fascia—and is not a cause for concern. These quiet sounds are also frequently heard during massage, myofascial release, or manipulation when tissues rehydrate, separate, or glide more

5️⃣ Air or fluid shifts through the body

Sounds like: small bubbles, trickles, or squelches

Totally normal. Often heard around the shoulder and along the rib cage.

So which sounds matter? Which Mean Worry?

Sharp pop/crack Cavitation during adjustment ❌ No.

Soft click/snapping Tendon/ligament moving ⚠️ Only if repetitive + pain.

Squelchy/soft sliding Fascia/muscle movement ❌ No.

Grating/grinding/crunchy Possible OA or degenerative changes ✅ Yes.

Deep clunk Joint movement or mild instability ⚠️

In conclusion

Not every click is a problem. Some are just gas moving in the joint, some are tendons sliding, and some are tissues releasing as the horse relaxes. The tendon /ligament clunk needs to be worked on with your horse’s physical therapist through bodywork and prescriptive exercise as it is caused by weaknesses, tightness, poor stability and postural issues which needs to be rectified to prevent longer term issues, but overall the only sound we need to really be worried about is anything that feels like grinding or is paired with pain or lameness.