Challenge #3
Difficulty: Medium
Your horse can benefit from joint support
Often times, horse owners don’t think about their horse’s joints until there’s a problem. But when it comes to joint health, waiting until there’s a problem may be too little too late.
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
—Mark Twain
Fact #1
Joint deterioration is progressive and permanent
Joint deterioration is progressive, permanent degeneration of articular cartilage, meaning once it starts it will only continue to get worse. It’s a cascading cycle of inflammation within the joint. Over time, joint structures develop scarring, the synovial fluid (the “lubricant”) dries out, the articular cartilage is worn down, and finally, the bones themselves become thick and scarred.
Fact #2
All horses are at risk
A 1999 study in the Equine Veterinary Journal identified joint changes in a herd of wild mustangs. The researchers concluded that the degenerative process was naturally present in horses.
Fact #3
More work, more stress
The same researchers also suggested that the stresses associated with training may accelerate the degeneration process. That means if your horse is in regular work, his joints are more at risk for early joint deterioration that could affect his comfort, soundness, and future performance.
Fact #4
The best time to start supporting joints is NOW
No matter your horse’s age, discipline, or workload, the best time to start supporting healthy joints is now, with a joint supplement targeted to his unique situation. Joint supplements provide your horse’s body with the key ingredients he needs to maintain healthy cartilage. Ideally, this means the best time to start a joint supplement is before your horse starts showing signs of stiffness and discomfort.
However, horses already displaying signs of discomfort may also benefit from joint supplements, as they can help support healthy articular cartilage, synovial fluid, and normal response to inflammation. So no matter your horse’s situation, if he’s not already on a joint supplement there’s no time like the present to start.
Fact #5
Injectable joint medications don’t replace the need for supplements
Injectable joint medications and oral joint supplements serve different purposes. Intravenous and intramuscular injections are designed to help reverse the effects of arthritis, while oral joint supplements provide key ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and HA to offer ongoing, daily support for healthy cartilage and joint fluid. Talk with your veterinarian to see if joint medications are right for your horse, and visit SmartPak.com/InjectionsAndSupplements to learn more.
Fact #6
Not all seniors are the same
Your senior horse has always given you his best. Return the favor and choose a joint supplement that’s tailored to his unique needs to help keep him comfortable in his golden years.
More and more horses are competing well into their senior years, but traditional senior supplements contain herbs that may be banned by some show organizations. If your senior still actively competes, SmartFlex Senior Herb-Free is the perfect pick because it contains high levels of the best joint ingredients without any herbs.
If your senior isn’t a current competitor, SmartFlex Senior is a great choice to help keep him comfortable. This best-selling formula provides the same comprehensive joint support with the addition of herbs like devil’s claw and boswellia, as well as the amino acid phenylalanine, to help manage discomfort.
Fact #7
Healthy recovery starts on the inside
It’s the worst feeling in the world to see your horse laid up and feel like there’s nothing you can do. But you don’t have to feel helpless!
Healthy recovery starts on the inside, and SmartFlex Rehab is designed to help ensure your horse has everything he needs to come back strong. This unique formula provides ingredients for joint health along with silica, collagen, and essential amino acids to help support normal healing of connective tissues. SmartFlex Rehab also contains MSM, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and herbs to help support a healthy inflammatory response.
My 22 year old Quarter Horse has been on Smart Flex Senior for quite some time now and is still pretty active even after having to be retired due to an arthritic knee. He still trots and lopes around the paddock with no signs of pain Also, so happy for him that he has a girlfriend and they are madly in love.
Thank you SmartPak for keeping my horse going strong.
I have tried all of the SmartPak joint supplements for my 21-yr-old quarter horse, retired due to effects of an arthritic knee (physitis(sp) as a colt). He seems to do best on Smart Stride Ultra and previcox. He still is head of the herd and can do short trail rides.
Bought a bucket of hoof smart but the doze is for 6 oz. I am assuming that is a wt measure and not a volume amt. However I did not receive a measuring scoop to let me know of the right amount to give to my horse. Can you send me the correct measuring device?
Hi Connie, thanks for reaching out! I’m so sorry to hear that you didn’t receive a scoop in your supplement bucket. If you wouldn’t mind giving our Customer Care Team a call at 1-800-461-8898 or emailing us at CustomerCare@SmartPak.com, they’d be happy to get a scoop sent out to you. – SmartPaker Lexi