joint health Joint Health
Why consider nutritional support? Claire Rowlands, BSc(Hons), Technical Support Manager at NAF explains.....
Much of a horse’s athleticism and power is attributed to the different joint structures within the body that combine to provide propulsion and absorb the inevitable concussive forces. Over time, every day wear and tear causes cumulative damage and as athletic demands increase, so does the risk of trauma. Signs of joint related issues will be seen as a drop in performance, unsoundness and the horse becoming generally uncomfortable. The joint damage giving rise to the symptoms has occurred internally well before the visible signs, so consideration must therefore be given to supporting the active adult horse as well as the senior horse.
When looking for a supplement, it is best to focus on those that contain the active ingredients of Glucosamine Sulphate and Chondroitin Sulphate. These are the most well researched ingredients that will support the integrity of the cartilage and synovial fluid within the joint capsule. You may see the use of Glucosamine Hydrochloride (HCL) in some brands; previously this was thought to
be the best form of Glucosamine but recent research has shown that the most absorbable form is Glucosamine Sulphate. Joint health is an evolving science and it’s important to use formulations that are following this research to get the best results for your horse. The inclusion of MSM will support the body’s tissue. MSM is rich in bio-available sulphur, vital for the health of soft tissue, tendons, ligaments and muscle. In this case we are particulary thinking about the connective tissue surrounding the joints, which can become liable to damage as the joint repeatedly flexes and extends. An antioxidant complex would also support the joint by flushing out toxins that build up in the area; keeping things moving freely will reduce the possibility of further damage. The market is flooded with many different options and this can make it more difficult to choose the right one. Remember that no one key ingredient is going to do everything, so look for ones that draw from a number of different ingredients. It’s not about which has the highest level, it’s about how the balance of the ingredients bring about change and comfort to the horse’s joints.
Management
Alongside supplementation, a number of management issues can be reviewed to minimise trauma and support the action of the joints. Keeping the horse at a good weight, ideally condition score 3 (on a scale of 1-5), will avoid any excessive pressure on his joints. Good nutrition is important to every aspect of a horse’s health and a healthy horse on the inside and outside will cope much better with daily demands. When exercising your horse it is important that he is fit for the purpose, a few trips round the block is not enough to prepare him for even a riding club event. A lack of muscle tone will put more pressure on joints and the surrounding structures. You should also consider the type of surface he is ridden on, overly dry ground that’s like concrete will increase the concussion received by the joints and equally very deep ground will add extra strain to ligaments and tendons. Finally, a good farrier is key to maintaining joint health; a well-balanced hoof will distribute weight and concussion equally so no joint bears more pressure than the other. It is useful to discuss things like this with your farrier and use nutritional support products to ensure the horse is growing enough hoof for the farrier to work with.
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Equine Page 13
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