Horses’ joints are complex structures that are designed to carry a very large load. At times during movement your horse will be landing with all their weight on one limb, often from a height. Horses’ legs are wonderfully designed and they have evolved to bear repetitive impact extremely well - but understanding how they work can help explain why a joint supplement can support health joints and reduce the likelihood of arthritis occurring in your horse’s joints.
What’s in a horse’s joint?
Often we tend to focus on bones when we think of the danger of arthritis in horses. Bone integrity is an important factor in a horse’s wellbeing, but joints are very complex structures that do a lot of work in horses – other essential components are tendons, ligaments, collagen and synovial fluid.
Tendons and ligaments connect and stabilise the joints. Ligaments attach bone to bone, and tendons attach muscle to bone – both are essential to hold the horses joint tightly together to create a safe, even movement and prevent wear or injury. Fluid filled bursae and tendon sheaths help prevent friction between tendons and bones as they move.
Synovial fluid is a thick ‘oily’ liquid produced by the synovial membrane on the inner lining of the joint capsule, which lubricates the joint and delivers essential nutrients to the collagen in the joint.
Collagen coats the ends of the bones, creating a spongy, elastic shock absorber and prevents wear on the bones.
When choosing an equine joint care supplement, look for one with ingredients chosen to support these structures.
What ingredients should a good joint care product for horses have?
The crucial ingredients in an equine joint support product ideal for horses training and competition, or at risk of arthritis, is shorter than you might think! Look for a supplement like Equine Joint Care which contains optimal levels of:
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): MSM provides effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant joint support and may reduce joint pain.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate: These well known joint care actives work synergistically together to protect and heal cartilage and can also inhibit certain enzymes that break down cartilage. Used together, they support cartilage function and joint cushioning.
Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally produced in the body, Hyaluronic Acid is a viscous, slippery substance which provides multi-action joint support through helping to manage joint swelling, improving synovial fluid quality, and reducing inflammation.
When should you start your horse on joint supplements?
Of course, older horses are the group most likely to benefit from an equine joint care product that provides them with good levels of the joint care actives that the body produces less of with age. Starting your mature horse on joint care support will proactively aid in managing the general stiffness and arthritis that normally occur with age.
Horses competing or in regular work such as trail horses, cutting horses, stock horses or riding school horses will benefit from the nutritional support for their healthy joints, as the joint care product ensures that they have enough glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C for their bodies to manage the impact and demands on their joints.
Any horse who suffers a joint injury or has surgery should start a joint care supplement immediately to make sure their body has all the available nutrients for prompt and effective joint repair and cartilage healing. This will support them through recovery and rehabilitation and contribute to reducing their pain.
Young horses, heavy horses, horses with laminitis and horses with genetic predisposition can all benefit from a daily equine joint supplement like Equine Joint Plus as a prophylactic (preventative support) for arthritis.
Get the most from your Equine joint supplement
Oral equine supplements are more effective if they are bioavailable so select high quality reputable brands with good manufacturing standards (in Australia look for APVMA and GMP Approved) and high absorption rates - like Equine Joint Plus™.
Avoid supplements without trials and research to back up their claims. Every horse is different, but science is essential. Brands should be able to explain why their ingredients help support joint health and be happy to reply to your questions.
Talk to your chosen professionals about your horse’s joint health. Evaluate the demands made on them, their age, diet, genetics, their saddle fit, their natural way of going, and the physio or bodywork they get regularly. The big picture is important, and planning for a holistic approach will pay dividends.
If your horse has joint issues or an injury, do start giving a quality equine joint care supplement right away, but make sure to combine modalities to get the benefits of the right nutrition, exercise/movement, rehabilitation, physiotherapy/bodywork and any pharmaceutical intervention required.
When should you see improvement in your horse's joints?
Oral supplements do take time to travel through the body and to build up levels which were deficient. You may see improvements in discomfort or pain quickly, but normally you will need to provide your horse with the recommended dosage of a joint care supplement for at least 4-6 weeks.
Depending on the joint issue your horse is dealing with (inflammation from a competition injury vs long term arthritic joint degradation for example) results may take longer, and you might see a dramatic change or only a small improvement in your horse’s comfort levels and mobility.
Good things take time, and remember, providing effective equine joint care helps slow the rate of joint degradation too, so you’re banking extra time with your special horse.
Ready to shop? Find our equine joint supplements here.
Questions? Reach out to ask about your horses situation.
