Deciding on a joint supplement for your horse...
It can be a little confusing when trying to pick the right joint supplement for your horse or pony, so let’s take a look at the differences between the options available at Feedmark.
This simple supplement offers a base level of support for your horse. It contains Glucosamine and MSM which work well together to provide low level joint support. This is a popular supplement for those on a budget or for the younger horse in light work to offer some joint protection.
This supplement has been a firm favourite for many customers over the years. It combines the joint supporting properties of Glucosamine, MSM, Hyaluronic acid and Chondroitin (low molecular weight) with the natural, soothing attributes of Omega 3 and Rosehips. This supplement is a wonderful choice for those looking for a comprehensive joint supplement to support their horse as they approach old age or those wanting to offer support for low level competition horses.
This very high specification formulation was launched in 2018 to rival all other joint supplements. Similar to ExtraFlex HA™, Best-Flex HA® also contains Glucosamine, Chondroitin (low molecular weight), MSM and Hyaluronic acid, however, you will see these at a much higher level in the Best-Flex HA®.
Best-Flex HA® contains Omega 3 and Vitamin C as well as Boswellia, which has become a really popular addition to joint supplements because of its natural soothing properties, research has also been conducted on this ingredient in both humans and equines to prove its efficacy.
It can be difficult to compare one joint supplement to another so here is a useful breakdown of the ingredients and their quantities in our Best-Flex HA®, ExtraFlex HA™ and Flexamine 10:10™...
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Best-Flex HA® |
ExtraFlex HA™ |
Flexamine 10:10™ |
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|
|
Optimum rate |
Maintenance rate |
Optimum rate |
Maintenance rate |
|
Glucosamine HCL (mg) |
17,000 |
12,500 |
6,250 |
10,000 |
5,000 |
|
Chondroitin (mg) |
6,500 |
1,000 |
500 |
- |
- |
|
MSM (mg) |
17,000 |
10,000 |
5,000 |
10,000 |
5,000 |
|
Hyaluronic Acid (mg) |
1,100 |
400 |
200 |
- |
- |
|
Vitamin C (mg) |
11,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Omega 3 (mg) |
7,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Boswellia (mg) |
12,000 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Rosehips (mg) |
- |
30,000 |
15,000 |
- |
- |
Many of our customers prefer to pick and choose the joint supporting nutrients they provide their horses with, which is why many of the ingredients included in our supplements are also available individually! You will find Glucosamine and MSM as part of our Essential range as well as Boswellia and Rosehips as part of our MeadowBlend range. This option is great if you want to have control over the levels of each of the individual ingredients you are giving your horse.
What other options are there?
You may have seen that we do have some other options for joint support...
ActiVet™ is a popular supplement for the older horse who may be experiencing reduced mobility. It was created to support the joints and muscles of horses. The joint ingredients include MSM and Glucosamine as well as added Boswellia for optimum support. Included in the formulation are the important antioxidants Vitamin E and Selenium, these help to contribute to healthy muscle function.
As the name suggests, this supplement is a wonderful option to aid comfort if your horse is showing increased signs of stiffness and arthritic changes. This supplement contains Devil’s Claw and Meadowsweet to improve mobility. Complimented by MSM for connective tissue health as well as Chamomile and Yucca for their soothing effects on the musculoskeletal system. Zerobute™ can even be fed alongside any of our joint supplements for optimum support and is perfect for those who are no longer competing.
Prevention is better than cure!
Did you know that joint supplements are not just for older horses? Even young horses can benefit from a joint supplement, especially those in harder work. Osteoarthritis can manifest at any age so starting on a supplement early is ideal.
How else can healthy joints be maintained?
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Avoid exercise on hard ground
Be aware what surface you’re riding on, it’s not just the road that can damage your horse’s legs. Arena surfaces can become uneven or compact and during the summer months, the ground of fields can get so hard that they resemble concrete! If you have no choice but to ride on hard ground, keep your sessions short and slow to avoid excessive concussion on the joints.
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Groundwork
Groundwork is a great alternative to ridden work. The sessions are often shorter resulting in less pressure on the joints while still provide the horse with a great work out for their brain! Click here for some tips on working your horse from the ground.
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Warming up and down correctly
Correct warm up and warm down can help reduce stiffness in the joints and muscles, keeping the horse more comfortable. Consider the horse’s age, fitness and intensity of exercise undertaken when establishing how long to warm up and down.
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Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist may be able to advise on passive stretches to improve the longevity of your horse’s joints. It is also important to note that confirmation plays a role; poor confirmation may increase the risk of your horse developing joint issues. A physiotherapist will be able to assess your horse and offer some advice.