Your horse’s body is an impressive machine. It’s designed to manage the normal wear and tear that’s associated with being a horse — an animal designed to be on the move! However, research has shown that joint problems are a normal part of the aging process in horses, and other factors such as poor conformation and the stress of training may increase a horse’s risk even further.
Along with proper veterinary care, which may include the use of prescription medications, joint supplements are designed to provide a consistent daily supply of ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid — which are all key components of healthy joint tissues.
Finding the right joint supplement for your horse’s age and workload is a smart choice for maintaining his joint health. Let’s take a look inside your horse’s joints to see how things work and why problems arise, and dispel some common myths.
Who is at risk for arthritis?
A 1999 study in the Equine Veterinary Journal identified arthritic changes in a herd of wild mustangs. The researchers concluded that the osteoarthritic process was naturally present in horses, and further suggested that the stresses associated with training may accelerate that process. That means that any horse is at risk for developing arthritis and future lameness, including:
- Trail horses
- Wild mustangs
- Performance horses
- Lesson horses
How joints work
Healthy articular cartilage provides a smooth, slippery surface that allows free movement and contributes to the shock-absorbing properties of the joint. Synovial fluid lubricates the joint capsule and contains components such as hyaluronic acid, which support and nourish the articular cartilage.
What goes wrong
When subjected to the stress associated with exercise and aging, your horse’s joints undergo a normal inflammatory response.
If left unchecked, excessive inflammation may lead to longterm damage to the joint structures. Over time, joint tissues may develop scarring, synovial fluid may lose its critical viscosity, and articular cartilage may become thin. Eventually, the sensitive subchondral bone under the articular cartilage may be affected.
How you can help
If your horse has been diagnosed with arthritis, your veterinarian may recommend prescription medications like Adequan® I.M. or Legend® Injectable Solution. Research has shown that use of oral joint supplements may help keep joint structures healthy enough that horses may require fewer joint injections. An eight-year study demonstrated that consistent use of an oral glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplement resulted in a decreased need for hock joint injections to maintain soundness in a group of show hunters/jumpers.
Thank you, very informative.
I had horses as a child until I married. My children now have families of their own and I have returned to owning a horse.
I didn’t realize how much my dad for me as a horse owner.
I am now in the process of educating myself on the dynamics of horse care and proper food distribution.
Thank you for all your information.
Judi,
Thanks for reading, let us know if you have any questions!
-SmartPaker Bjorn
Hello there, I’d love to know more about the 8 year study that is mentioned at the end! Thanks!
Emma – Well I must say Thank You Jo!!You certainly cgahut the best of my mare & it has really highlighted how she has grown from a fluffy pony to a smart horse!Little did I know we had a perfect back drop (spotted by your photographic eye) in our very own yard so no need to worry her or do any moving around!!Very glad we had these shots done & horsey and I had a great time!
My issue with all of the joint ‘medications – injections’ ….whatever the current fad is…….don’t you think that if any of this worked we’d be doing it for humans …… ?? It has been shown in human studies that taking oral supplements such as glucosamine-chondroitin is a complete waste of time and money.
I totally agree with you Chris. Vets just insist on getting injections too so that they can make more money. I put my 20 year old gelding on GLC5500 Max a year ago and there is no need for injections. It’s much better for the horse in the long run.
I am worried about this very subject for my 15 year old Paint mare. She has been shown moderately for most of her life, but only on the youth level. In the last few months (we are in No MI so it is snowy and cold), she has been irritable and even prone to bucking with my daughter on her. I had extensive xrays done, and the results were that she could benefit from hock injections, and possible injection in one of her stiffles, but the vet did not feel it was urgent. She has never had injections before, and I am really hesitant to start. I do have her on joint supplements from SmartPak, and am also giving her Pentosan injections. I would really appreciate some feedback on hock injections and whether it is something we should pursue.
Hi Laura – First off, it’s very good that you’re working closely with your veterinarian to correctly diagnose your horse and come up with a future plan. Arthritis often develops because of wear and tear on joints over the lifetime of the horse, even with only moderate work. One advantage for choosing the Intra-articular (directly into the joint) administration route is maximizing the effect of the medication by putting it exactly where it is needed. While FDA-approved injectable joint medications play an important role in managing joint health, they can be used in conjunction with other therapies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral joint supplements and corrective hoof care. I would encourage you to speak with your vet about your hesitations and work with them to develop a comprehensive joint health program for your horse that you feel comfortable with. – Dr. Lydia Gray
Could you provide me with information as to who did the study referred to above: “An eight-year study demonstrated that consistent use of an oral glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplement resulted in a decreased need for hock joint injections to maintain soundness in a group of show hunters/jumpers.” I stopped giving both my horses Smart Flex after my vet said that no studies concluded a benefit. I found several articles saying this combo was not beneficial in humans. Thank you!
Hi Julie, thanks for your question! You can read more about the study referenced in this article here: https://blog.smartpakequine.com/2012/02/using-oral-joint-supplements-with-injectable-joint-medications/. – SmartPaker Lexi