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Horse Joint Supplements …
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Which ones work, which ones don’t and how to identify them
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There are now many Nutraceuticals used for improving joint health and reducing inflammation. Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Yucca and Devils Claw are tops on the list when this topic is discussed.
In order to maintain healthy cartilage there needs to be water for lubrication, proteoglycans to attract and hold water, collagen to hold proteoglycans in place and chondrocyhtes to continually rebuild new cartilage tissue, not to mention adequate nutrition (protein, fat, vitamins and minerals) to ensure these bioactive substances are produced.
The most notable of all the joint supplements is Glucosamine. It is usually available in three forms; N-Acetyl D Glucosamine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride and Glucosamine Sulfate with the hydrochloride and sulfate forms being the most popular.
When joints become injured, the body steps up the processes of manufacturing connective tissue and synovial fluid as well as collagen and proteoglycans. Glucosamine is then called upon and converted into glucosamine - 6- phosphate, which is necessary for the production of glycosamineoglycans. Glucosamine is, therefore, the key building block for the subsequent synthesis of the modified sugars.
Virtually every study shows that glucosamine supplementation provides symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis, which includes reduced pain, rapid recovery, and at the very least, partially restored joint function.
Note: The preferable form of glucosamine is hydrochloride. This form contains approximately 25 - 30% more pure glucosamine at a cost considerably less.
Chondroitin Sulfate has several key functions including the ability to inhibit enzymes that degrade cartilage tissue, water retention for synovial fluid production and the ability to utilize glucosamine in the formation of proteoglycans.
Chondroitin Sulfate proteoglycans are important in forming the matrix of collagen assembly for a tight network (cartilage) with an affinity for a high retention of water.
Chondroitin Sulfate has shown the ability to activate chondrocytes, which produce new collagen and proteoglycan molecules.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is naturally occurring in food and is found throughout the body. A bioavailable source of sulfur, MSM is important for connective tissue production and repair. In essence it protects the cartilage tissue from degradation.
Because of its ability to reduce inflammation, MSM is effective as an anti-arthritic as well as very useful for other inflammatory conditions such as allergies, ulcers and laminitis.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is an important component in the intercellular matrix, as it is found throughout the body with the highest concentration in soft connective tissue. HA gives elasticity to the joints, is a major component of the vitreous humor of the eye and it retains water in the cellular matrix.
It is important for tissue hydration, lubrication, solute transport, cell migration, cell function as well as cell differentiation. There are also many herbs/botanical extracts that have shown great promise in addressing the needs of an arthritic horse.
Yucca Schidigera Extract, Devil's Claw extract, Boswellia Serrata extract, Turmeric extract, Cat's Claw, Fever Few, White Willow and Cayenne are all examples of a powerful group of anti-inflammatory plants.
If you are buying joint supplements and none of these materials are included or the manufacturer is not NASC, National Animal Supplement Council or the manufacture does not use GMP, Good Manufacturing Processes beware!
There obviously many choices when it comes to addressing arthritis conditions in your horse. It is our objective to help give you the information you need to choose the correct supplement for you horse.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only. No claims are expressed or implied. To learn how your horse compares nutritionally to other horses, take the Equus-RX.com
free horse diet and nutritional test.
horse laminitis
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