Advantages of equine joint supplements
In recent years many horse owners have turned to equine joint supplements to help with symptoms that cause worry and concern but are perhaps not serious enough to warrant a call to the vet. These symptoms may include stiffness during a warm-up, hesitation before a jump, or perhaps a shorter than usual stride.
Older horses are also likely to develop problems with arthritis although this condition can occur in younger horses too.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease in horses, and stiffness and lameness are the most frequently-seen symptoms.
Equine joint supplements have been shown to tackle these problems by improving mobility and flexibility in horse joints through tackling the pain and inflammation that osteoarthritis causes.
As with all supplements you feed your horse, it is important to buy from a reputable supplier who clearly states what ingredients their horse supplements contain and offers guarantees about their purity and the quality of the manufacturing processes.
What key ingredients are found in equine joint supplements?
Glucosamine for horses and chondroitin are two key ingredients found in joint supplements sold for horses as well as humans.
Equine joint supplements are manufactured to make them specifically suitable for a horse. Human joint supplements contain smaller amounts of the key ingredients. Equine joint supplements are also available in formats that can be easily incorporated into a horse's daily feeds in a way that they are both palatable and easily absorbed for optimum effectiveness.
Glucosamine for horses is an essential building block in the healthy cartilage found in joints where two or more bones meet. It is a safe, natural product with no known side-effects. It is often paired with chondroitin, another product produced by the body to ensure healthy cartilage, because they work effectively together to repair damaged cartilage, reduce pain and increase mobility.
Some equine supplements contain glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) which works equally as well as glucosamine sulphate. The advantages of glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl) are that it provides more available glucosamine per unit weight.
Another important ingredient you will see on equine joint supplement labels is MSM for horses (Methylsulfonylmethane). This is a rich source of dietary sulphur - an essential element found in the body and needed for healthy joints and tissues. It is an essential mineral to support the body's connective tissue which includes joint cartilage.
Vitamin C is needed to maintain connective tissue and collagen found in tendons and joint cartilage. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps protects cells from free radical damage, which is linked to osteoarthritis. Sufficient vitamin C is helpful to support the horse's body in cases of long-term joint inflammation.
Manganese is a trace mineral needed for healthy bones which is also used to help manufacture enzymes needed for the growth and repair of cartilage tissue.
How long should horses be treated with joint supplements?
Osteoarthritis is an incurable condition but products and supplements can ease the pain and inflammation and restore mobility and flexibility to joints affected by the disease.
It is likely that an effective equine joint supplement might be taken long-term, or even permanently, once it is added to the diet. It can help the cartilage in joints to repair, but if the horse stops taking the supplement the cartilage can start to degenerate again after just a few months.
However, if younger horses take a supplement short-term to provide a boost after joint surgery or injury, the dose can be reduced or stopped after a six to eight week course of equine joint supplements has provided support.
Taking joint supplements along with other pain killers
It is wise to take advice from your vet if you want to combine any horse supplements with medication. There will be additional pharmaceutical pain killers you could give your horse along with equine joint supplements, but ask your vet to recommend a suitable anti-inflammatory pain reliever if you want the extra support.
How can green-lipped mussels help joint problems?
The green-lipped mussel or Perna Canaliculus is a shellfish providing a rich source of equine glucosamine and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) which are also building blocks of cartilage and a type of Omega-3 fatty acid. The soft tissue of the mussel can be processed into a powder which is found in some equine joint supplements.
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