First up JOINT HEALTH
We’ve all been there, pondering the bewildering offering of a multitude of supplements, which on to choose, which one works, this one has been recommended to me but it doesn’t work. Yes, vitamins and minerals also fall under supplements, but in this category we’re looking at those targeting specific health issues, not to generally balance a diet.
So how do we know, which one works? Science has back up quite a few, and then there are those we just simply have to try. Some work better for one horse than others.
Let’s have a look at some of the most common ones.
Joint & Ligament Health, your glucosamine, chondrotin and hyaluronic acid (HA) and MSM
We can give a heads up to Glucosamine and Chondotrin Sulfate, with some scientific evidence to nurture equine cartilage with an anti-inflammatory pain relieving effect. Similarly supplementing with hyaluronic acid (HA), found in the joint’s synovial fluid has been found to fuel the joints.
As a powerful anti-oxidant methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) is probably the most widely used anti-inflammatory supplement. It not only works to promote joint health, but also takes care of ligaments, muscles, hooves, and skin.
Why is that? MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur found in plants. It plays a role in the formation of keratin and collagen. Our equine sport partners don’t consume enough MSM via the base nutrition we provide, so supplementing with MSM could become an important ally in prevention, somewhat reducing the risk of injuries.
TIP:
Concentrated Green Lipped Mussel Powder, a powerhouse of glucosamine, chondotrin, and other goodies, such as Omega 3s is my go to. It seriously kept a a horse I trained with a compromised stifle joint on the endurance tracks. It isn’t cheap, it smells and tastes as its name indicates. The good news is that it is just a mini scoop, but make sure the feed is otherwise very tasty 😉
The importance of reading the label
Not all supplements are created equal. As with most things quality matters and paying a higher price can more often than not pay off in the long run.
Just because the label reads Glucosamine and HA for example, it doesn’t mean it is a great supplement, pay attention to the quantities of each ingredient, the higher the better.
Purity is another important aspect, you don’t want to read a long list of fillers bulking out the main ingredients, some are required to keep the ingredients stable but they shouldn’t make up half of the container.
Will they actually work?
Whilst ingredients mentioned do have some scientific and experience-based backing, as said some horses respond well and others don’t. There always is the question of how well the horse actually absorbs what it is been given. So, monitor your horse for improvements and try different combinations and brands. They are definitely worth a try.
We will recommend some in our useful products and gadgets section.