I’m trying to find a joint supplement for a senior horse. Most have similar ingredients but it seems you have to choose whether you want something with collagen, cetylated fatty acids, or hyaluronic acid. Which of these is most beneficial? Katie
Dear Katie,
Choosing a joint supplement for a senior horse can be challenging. You can make the task easier by asking yourself these questions:
1. Is my horse retired, being lightly ridden, or still actively competing in rated shows?
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2. Does my senior horse have any stiffness or comfort issues?
I hope this answers your questions and has been helpful to you. Much luck in your senior supplement search!
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Lydia F. Gray, DVM MA, currently serves as the Medical Director/Staff Veterinarian for SmartPak Equine. Prior to joining SmartPak, Dr. Gray served as the first-ever Director of Owner Education for the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She has authored numerous articles in publications such as The Horse, Horse Illustrated, Western Horseman and a variety of veterinary journals and magazines. Dr. Gray is also a frequent speaker at horse expos, veterinary conventions and other locations. After graduating with honors from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and receiving her Master's Degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, she practiced at the Tremont Veterinary Clinic for several years. Dr Gray is active in the American Veterinary Medical Association and Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and enjoys training and showing her trakehner Newman in her spare time. Find Dr. Gray on Google+: Find Dr. Gray on Google+
Do Glucosamine and Chondroitin do the same thing as Hyaluronic Acid or something different?
Hi Judy, thanks for your question. Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Hyaluronic Acid all work together to support joint health, however they each work in a slightly different way. Glucosamine is a building block of chondroitin sulfate. Current research suggests glucosamine has two beneficial actions in joints. Not only does it increase the production of new cartilage, glucosamine has also been shown to inhibit the free radicals and enzymes that break down cartilage. Chondroitin Sulfate is a building block of hyaluronic acid (HA) and also inhibits the effects of various enzymes that degrade cartilage. Research has shown that chondroitin sulfate works synergistically with glucosamine to stimulate new cartilage production and inhibit cartilage breakdown. Hyaluronic Acid,or HA, is an integral component of joint cartilage and joint fluid, providing both lubrication and shock absorption. Hyaluronic acid is what makes joint fluid “sticky.” Because it blocks inflammatory reactions, protecting cells in the joint, HA is especially useful in acute situations as well as flare-ups of chronic joint conditions. We hope this information is helpful!
For a senoir horse with very stiff joints about how many mg per day of each ingredient should they recive?
Hi…just like your infor so much. Just a question…we placed sand in our holding pens for our horses. Is this safe for them and will it sand down the outer walls of their hooves excessively? Just want an answer soon. Sherry in Ca.
Hi Sherry, thanks for your question! Depending on what type of surface your horse is used to, you may notice a bit more wear and tear on his hooves due to the presence of sand in his holding pen. If you or your farrier notice that your horse’s hooves are not holding up as well, consider adding a hoof supplement to his diet if he’s not already on one, and, if necessary, supporting his hooves with a protective boot like the Cavallo Simple Boot or EasyBoot Epic. Since your horse is new to a sandy turnout, you’ll want to take precautions to avoid sand colic.
You can find more helpful information on this condition on our website: http://www.SmartPakEquine.com/health_and_nutrition/problems/sandcolic.aspx and in a previous Ask the Vet answer: http://blog.smartpakequine.com/2010/02/keeping-your-horse-sand-colic-free/. You can also shop for sand colic supplements at http://www.SmartPakEquine.com/horse-sand-colic-supplements-15pc.aspx. Best of luck!
Brittney asked: “For a senior horse with very stiff joints, about how many mg per day of each ingredient (glucosamine, chondroitin, msm) should he/she receive?” How much of each is TOO much? Thanks.
Hi Jana,
For a senior horse, we recommend choosing a supplement that contains all of the joint essentials (glucosamine, chondrotin, MSM and HA) to provide comprehensive support. A supplement labeled for seniors typically also has higher levels of ingredients to help ease the stiffness and discomfort associated with aging, such as MSM, Devil’s Claw, Yucca, and Hyaluronic Acid. The amount each individual horse needs can vary, so we suggest choosing a supplement with good levels of all of these and giving it a try. We’ve included a link to our joint supplement comparison chart to give you a better idea of what levels are available and at what cost. In terms of what is too much, our recommendation is to stick with just one joint supplement at a time, and you’ll be well within the levels recommended. Best of luck!
http://www.smartpakequine.com/charts/JointCompare.aspx
Thanks for article on horse joint supplements. I’m retiring my horse and after seeing the vet he recommended a supplement to help her. Thank you!
Our horse is getting to the age where we want to retire him. He isn’t in any pain but it’s great to hear that we should put him on some horse joint supplements as an extra precaution. Thanks!!!