When horse owners want to decrease the likelihood of joint pain in their equine companions, they look for quality supplements. There are a wide variety of joint supplements available, including fish oils, glucosamine-based powders, and more. Some types of supplements are considered especially beneficial, and we’ll explain them in greater detail below.
One of the most important factors when choosing dietary supplements for your horse is the quality of the product. At SeaPet, we offer only the best in horse joint supplements. Let’s learn more about the mechanics of the joints and the supplement ingredients that can make joints stronger, more flexible, and healthier overall.
What makes a horse’s joints healthy?
First, let’s start with the basics: As we know, joints are formed where the ends of two bones meet. The ends of the bones are covered by articular cartilage (water, collagen, and proteoglycans) and encased in a thin, sac-like structure called a joint capsule.
The elements in cartilage help line up the connective tissue to strengthen it while also allowing it to remain resilient enough to allow freedom of movement. The inner layer of this capsule is known as the synovial lining, and it secretes synovial fluid. This fluid contains hyaluronic acid and a protein known as lubricin, both of which help to prevent friction between the ends of the bones. Because the outer layer of the joint capsule is fibrous, it helps the surrounding ligament to stabilize the joint. These elements all work together to provide smooth joint movement.
What are some factors that can affect horse joint health?
An improper diet is a common culprit when it comes to joint pain and swelling. If this is found to be the cause of your horse’s joint issues, your vet can help you develop a properly balanced diet for your horse. Each horse has different needs and considerations depending on their age, sex, and current activity level. For example, a broodmare must be fed a diet that not only provides for her needs, but also benefits the health of her gestating foal. A diet with proper nutrition makes a difference for the foal not just in their youth, but throughout their entire life.
Even horses who are well fed and well-treated experience some level of joint trauma on a daily basis. This is just a part of natural wear and tear, much like you find in humans. Often, it takes no more than normal daily activity to eventually cause swelling of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. This can lead to effusion, the production of extra synovial fluid.
Effusion can cause pain and reduce a horse’s ability to perform. Without prompt intervention, effusion can lead to osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of lameness and interrupted performance in equines. The heartbreaking thing about osteoarthritis is that by the time the symptoms occur, it’s often too late to do anything about it. The damage to the cartilage has already happened and cannot be reversed. This is why proactive prevention is so important.
What types of joint supplements support strong joint health in horses?
When horse owners want to prevent or alleviate joint pain, they often choose to add supplements to their horse’s diet. Here are four of the most common and effective ingredients found in joint health supplements for horses:
Glucosamine
Of all joint supplement products available on the market today, glucosamine is the most popular. Glucosamine is the basic building block of connective tissue, which includes cartilage. Both glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride support equine joint health. The best sources for natural glucosamine include the outer coverings of shellfish and shark cartilage. Studies show that glucosamine can be helpful in slowing the breakdown of cartilage and may even encourage it to heal.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin is another important structural component of bone, cartilage, and tough connective tissues in the body. Chondroitin is a type of glycosaminoglycan, which is a long chain of sugar molecules. It is a major component of cartilage, the tough, flexible tissue that cushions the joints. Chondroitin helps to keep cartilage healthy by attracting water and providing it with structure and elasticity. Reports have indicated that horses with sufficient chondroitin move more fluidly.
While the effectiveness of chondroitin for horses with joint problems is still being studied, there is some evidence that it can be helpful. A 2022 study published by BMC Veterinary Research found that oral chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine were effective in reducing pain and improving function in horses with osteoarthritis of the fetlock joint.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
MSM is a nutritional supplement that provides biologically active sulfur. Sulfur is an important mineral for joint health, as it is a component of cartilage, collagen, and other connective tissues. MSM for horses is often added to other supplements, such as shark cartilage. A 2014 study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal found that oral MSM was effective in pain reduction and also improved joint function in horses diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
The recommended dose of MSM for horses is between 1,000 and 3,000 mg per day.
Omega-3 fish oils
Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of any animal’s diet, and horses often do not get these to the degree that they need in their regular diets. Fish oil includes both Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), which are both essential fatty acids for horses. EPA may reduce the activity of enzymes that damage joint cartilage.
Are there other ways I can support my horse’s joints?
In addition to giving your horse joint supplements, there are many other ways you can help to keep your horse’s joint health strong:
- Keep your horse at a healthy weight. Carrying excess weight puts extra stress on the joints, especially the weight-bearing joints such as the knees and fetlocks. Be sure to feed them a balanced diet and provide them with regular exercise. Avoid overfeeding them, and be sure to weigh them regularly to make sure they remain at a healthy weight.
- Exercise your horse regularly. Exercise helps to keep the joints strong and flexible. However, it is important to avoid overly intense exercise, as this can have an adverse effect on joints. Instead, focus on low-impact exercises such as walking, trotting, and even swimming. If your horse is out of shape, gradually increase the amount of exercise your horse gets over time. Strenuous exercise can harm the joints, especially in horses that are overweight or have underlying problems. If you are unsure whether your horse is ready for strenuous exercise, talk to your veterinarian.
- Provide your horse with stable surfaces. Proper footing can help to reduce the risk of injuries. For example, horses are more likely to slip and fall on wet or icy surfaces. Make sure to provide your horse with a safe and secure footing, especially when they are exercising.
- Regularly maintain your horse’s hooves. Well-trimmed hooves help to distribute weight evenly and prevent injuries. If your horse’s hooves are too long or uneven, they can put extra stress on the joints. Be sure to have your horse’s hooves trimmed and shod regularly by a qualified farrier.
- Consider joint injections. Injections can be used to deliver medication directly to the joint. This can help to quickly reduce pain and inflammation. There are a variety of different joint injections available, so talk to your veterinarian to find one that is right for your horse.
- Enlist the help of a physical therapist. Physical therapy can help to improve range of motion and reduce pain. This can be done by a qualified physical therapist or a veterinarian who specializes in rehabilitation.
- Joint surgery. Surgery may be necessary in some cases to repair damaged joints. This is an option of last resort, and it is critical to weigh the risks and benefits of surgery before proceeding. Because horses’ legs bear so much weight, recovery can be a long and difficult process. Your veterinarian can help you make the best decision for your horse.
Where can I find a high-quality supplement for horse joint pain?
While there are countless vendors that provide supplements for horses both on the internet and in stores, you can always trust SeaPet to provide top-quality supplements. We’ve been providing dietary supplements to help keep your animals healthy for more than 20 years, and we stand by our products with a money-back guarantee.
Our Super Joint Formula for Horses provides the ideal mix of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM. In fact, studies have shown that each of these elements works better in combination with the others. Each quarter-cup serving of the joint powder contains 10,000 mg of MSM, 5,000 mg of shark cartilage (which is a significant source of both chondroitin and glucosamine), and an additional 2,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate. By giving your horse two doses daily, you can expect to see results in about two to three weeks. It’s easy to administer, because you simply add the powder to the horse’s food.
Our Omega-3 Fish Oil Concentrate for horses has a highly concentrated version of essential fatty acids from sardines and anchovies. Each tablespoon includes 4,500 mg of EPA and 3,000 mg of DHA. SeaPet’s omega-3 fish oils are tested for heavy metals, PCBs, furans, dioxin, and other toxins. Our fish oils surpass all national and international standards for purity. We also offer a peppermint-flavored version, which has 2,410 mg of EPA and 1,620 mg of DHA per tablespoon. As a bonus, omega-3 oils can also benefit your horse’s mental acuity, skin and coat health, and overall health!
How do I calculate the dosage of different joint formulas?
Consult each specific SeaPet product tab to get an idea of the dosage guidelines for feeding your horse these types of supplements. Generally, you’ll start with a loading dosage and then reduce the amount given to the “maintenance” dosage of each supplement after a short period of time. However, every horse is different. As with any medication, you should always consult your veterinarian before adding supplements to or otherwise changing your horse’s diet.
Trust SeaPet for the best joint supplements on the market
SeaPet has been providing health supplements for more than 20 years and is a reliable source of many of your animal’s health supplement needs. We provide high-quality, reliable, and effective supplements for horses and other domestic pets. See our full line at SeaPet.com, or call us at 800-434-8152 with any questions.
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