seasonal supplements
Keeping sound for
summer by Kate Hore, RNutr (Animal), Senior Nutritionist at NAF
So the long days and good weather are here and we are filling our diaries with plans for ourselves and our horses. There’s that show you really want to get to, a great clinic with a visiting instructor or perhaps that fun ride you’ve been looking forward to for weeks. However, we all know horses – so is there anything we can do to help keep them sound for summer?
Firstly assess the ground condition, particularly when arriving at a show and if it’s too soft and muddy, or rock hard, it is worth asking yourself whether you should even compete, or just head home? There’s always another day. Fitness will also help, so make sure your horse is in regular work, at an appropriate level, in order to build and maintain fitness. Finally, with so many joint supplements available, how do you choose the right one for maintaining joint health in your horse?
Look for a supplement combining the key nutrients of glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin sulphate and HA, that are known to work within the joint supporting mobility and function. Whilst it might be tempting
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to go for just one, such as a straight glucosamine, many studies show that the synergistic effect when used in the right combination means the sum of the parts is greater than any individual nutrient. Another consideration when looking at the glucosamine, is that research elsewhere in joint health tells us that the sulphate version, i.e. Glucosamine sulphate, is better indicated than the more commonly used hydrochloride (HCl). The exact reason for the difference between the forms is not fully understood, but it’s thought we can also consider the sulphate part of the compound to be contributing an active role.
The addition of antioxidants within that blend is also advised, as again they are shown to play an important role. Lastly, and particularly if you’re considering how to help an older horse or pony, we see natural omega 3 fatty acids are increasingly being recognised in maintaining health in older joints. All too often the reason for ultimately retiring an otherwise happy and healthy horse is joint health, so by supplementing as an insurance measure, we are doing the best we can to maintain flexibility for life.
Of course when considering competition soundness it’s not just about joints. As the traditional horsemen’s phrase ‘sound in wind and limb’ tells us, healthy respiratory function is just as important; and here again summer can bring its own challenges from pollen, regular travel or frequently meeting new horses.
Just as we may choose hot lemon if we have a cold, then naturally sourced antioxidants are also recommended to maintain clear respiratory health in horses and ponies. Antioxidants such as blueberry and rosehip work in synergy with those herbs well known for respiratory health including echinacea, clove and eucalyptus to provide a complex approach to summer respiratory health.
In conclusion by choosing the right natural support for your horses you can ensure to support soundness right through the summer season.
For further details please call the NAF Freephone Nutritional Advice line 0800 373106 or email
info@naf-uk.com .
www.naf-equine.eu/uk
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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