Just like in case of human beings, joints bear the weight of the body in horses and also facilitate their movement. Bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage are the different components of joints that work together to ensure your equine friend walks, prances, trots, and runs effortlessly. And certain horse supplements can promote and maintain the health of these joints, so they work smoothly for a long time to come. Though injuries, degeneration, and illnesses can make movement painful for your four-footed pal, starting supplements at the right time can support their overall quality of life. Before you buy them, here’s what to know.
Signs that Your Horse is Experiencing Joint Problems
Is your horse taking short strides or moving stiffly? Maybe their gait appears uneven or they are avoiding putting pressure on one limb? A swollen joint might also indicate problems. Or the equine might seem grumpy, wave their tail restlessly, grind their teeth, pin back the ears, or lie around more than usual. It is best to consult a veterinarian in such scenarios. They might also suggest suitable equine joint supplement to promote and maintain good joint health in horses of all ages, even if you don’t see the above signs.
Tips to Pick the Right Supplement
Horse supplements for joint health can be of different kinds, to cater to young foals, senior equines, and animals recovering from injuries or diseases. So, consider these pointers before making a choice.
- Shop from a Reliable Brand
When it comes to equine joint supplements, go for a reputed manufacturer or supplier with good reviews and testimonials. Also check if their products are approved by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), so you can rest assured that you are buying only what is top quality.
- Include the Right Ingredients
The best horse supplements for joint health ideally contain ingredients to address pain, cartilage damage, inflammation, and bone degeneration, among other complaints. Also check if the ingredients listed on the product’s label promote bone and cartilage growth, support connective tissue elasticity, and help maintain joint lubrication. Your horses should be able to absorb them easily as well.
- Consider the Activity Level and Age of Your Equine
Equine joint supplements that work for aging horses are different from the ones meant for yearlings. Supplements for different ages are formulated differently to offer basic to comprehensive support. Hence, you need to choose accordingly. Also keep your equine’s activity level in mind:
Light activity – Horses that walk and trot most of the time, ride on short trails, and are just starting to train, might need supplements to simply maintain joint tissues.
Moderate activity – Equines that trot and walk mostly and sometimes jump low, ride on long trails, and attend training regularly, might need supplements that support joints for daily stress.
Heavy activity – Equines that trot most of the time, jump and gallop at a mid-level, and participate in strenuous events, might require horse supplements for comprehensive comfort as well as joint, tendon, and ligament health.
Very heavy activity – Horses that participate in intense competitions, are upper-level jumpers, and elite performers, might need supplements for all-round support to tendons, ligaments, and joints. \
- Watch Out for Banned Ingredients
If you are purchasing equine joint supplements for four-footed friends that appear in competitions, make sure all the listed ingredients are approved by the governing body. Putting your horse on a supplement that contains even a single banned substance might get them disqualified.
Final Words
When choosing horse supplements for joint health, it is essential to consult a veterinarian, so you can administer the right dosage with the ideal frequency and combine it with a suitable diet and other supportive measures. Also remember that supplements don’t show results overnight, and hence, you need to be patient and consistent. So, explore the variety of high-grade equine joint supplements at Med Vet Pharmaceuticals and select the best options to give your horse the gift of strength, mobility, and longevity.
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