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Numerous injectable and oral supplements are available, both for easing joint problems and for maintaining the structural integrity and health of the joints.
The injectable products are the gold standard as far as modification of joint health is concerned, but a daily oral supplement is often more economical for most horse owners.
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Why we use oral joint supplements
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Why do we feed joint supplements, and what can we expect from them? Simply put, we use them either to prevent or to treat joint problems.
Some owners will feed them to a horse with existing joint injuries in an attempt to expedite healing, or in the case of arthritis or severe injury, to allow the horse to recover to a point at which it is comfortable.
Others feed preventatively, hoping for reduced likelihood of injury or damage from high-impact activities, thereby using the supplement as an insurance policy against possible damage.
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Oral joint supplement ingredients
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Oral joint supplements generally contain a few key ingredients (e.g. glucosamine and chondroitin) that may be found alone or in various combinations. They vary in price with liquids generally pricier than powders. Products aim to counteract inflammation, reduce cartilage damage, and stimulate cartilage repair.
Though there is some evidence in humans and dogs to suggest the efficacy of certain products, the data cannot be directly extrapolated to horses. Success in one species bodes well for its success in others but provides no guarantee of effectiveness. Research is extremely expensive, and the studies required to fully cover all the variables associated with equine joint supplements would take years to complete and cost millions of dollars.
While we await these studies, we have only experience and anectdotal evidence to go on. What we can say is that most oral joint supplements will do no harm, as long as they do not contain prohibited substances for a specific sport. Some can show definite benefits, so a trial is often justified.
Studies performed in the United States have shown considerable variation between the ingredients listed on labels and actual composition in many products, so in addition to comparing the contents, horse owners should look for a product supplied by a reputable supplement manufacturer.
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Glucosamine
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Without glucosamine, few connective tissues within the body could retain their integrity. Though it is found in multiple soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, glucosamine is most widely associated with joint health. It is a building block of chondroitin sulfate, a specific molecule that is vital for proper joint function.
Glucosamine is present in supplements either as glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulfate. The former is a more concentrated and stable form of glucosamine, but the two have similar biological effects. Glucosamine is a critical precursor in the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in joint cartilage. Glucosamine can reduce GAG degradation and increase synthesis. Important GAGs include chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, a major ingredient of synovial fluid and a key componenet of joint cartilage.
Glucosamine plays a key role in reducing inflammation by inhibiting gene expression for destructive enzymes and by scavenging free radicals that cause inflammation and pain, leading to the destruction of the cartilage matrix integrity. This anti-inflammatory effect is a genuine modification of the disease process, not just a temporary pain-relieving mechanism, and the result is reduced pain and increased joint mobility.
While glucosamine has low bioavailability in horses as measured by blood levels, it does accumulate in cartilage and is detectable in synovial fluid for at least 12 hours after dosing. Recent research has shown that accumulation is greater in inflamed joints than in normal joints, and even low concentrations can inhibit cartilage degradation.
Used at a dose of 10g per 500kg of bodyweight, glucosamine is now recommended for horses, with beneficial effects taking at least four weeks to occur. Glucosamine is very safe, making it suitable for long-term use, although consultation with a veterinarian is advised when dealing with pregnant mares and horses suspected of having insulin resistance or equine metabolic syndrome.
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Chondroitin Sulfate
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Chondroitin Sulfate (CS) is manufactured by cartilage-producing cells called chondrocytes. CS stimulates the establishment of new cartilage within a joint. Molecules of chondroitin sulfate bind with destructive enzymes, rendering them ineffective and thus slowing the disease process.
CS absorption is debatable due to its very large molecule size and whether or not it can reach its destination within the joint. CS is typically obtained from bovine, whale or shark cartilage.
Definitive data to document the effectiveness of CS are pending. Products should supply 4.5g CS to a 500kg horse if used alone. It is recommended that CS be used in combination with glucosamine, and in that situation a lower dose is appropriate.
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Trace Minerals
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Zinc is required for over 70 different enzymes to function, including hydrolysis and cross-linking needed for collagen formation. Zinc-deficient animals often have impaired cartilage and collagen development.
Copper is a coenzyme needed for the formation of the disulfide bonds in collagen, which add strength and elasticity to cartilage. Manganese is important in this formula as a cofactor in GAG sythesis in cartilage repair and maintenance. It is also involved as a cofactor in collagen formation.
Most unsupplemented home-mixed diets will not contain enough zinc, copper, or manganese to supply the needs of athletic horses.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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Research in man and many animals has shown that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have an anti-inflammatory effect that can benefit joints as well as other parts of the body.
Many of us take fish oil supplements to reduce inflammation and pain in our joints, and recent research has found similar effects in horses. In one study, supplementing EPA and DHA led to reduced markers of inflammation in the joimts of both yearlings and older horses with arthritis.
Another study found increased trot-stride length in horses given EPA and DHA, and this was thought to relate to reduced joint pain. There are many reasons to supplement long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, but care of the joints is an important consideration.
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Choosing the best oral joint supplement
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Several key points should be taken into consideration when choosing an oral joint supplement.
Find a credible manufacturer. Reserach the manufacturer carefully. Does the company have a professional Web site? Does it have a nutritionist or veterinarian to whom you can speak directly about the product? Does the company have other products from which to choose? What other riders or companies are affiliated with the company?
Read the label carefully. The product's packaging can reveal much about the supplement. Two important elements of any supplement label are a guaranteed analysis that lists the minimum amounts of active ingredients and a complete ingredient listing. If you can't find this information on the packaging, it might be wise to look elsewhere.
A veterinarian knowledgeable in lameness is an incredible asset, and this individual's opinion should be sought when selecting an oral joint supplement.
The bottom line regarding the efficacy of oral joint supplements is still unclear. Many experienced horsemen have used joint supplements on horses in their care with great success, but others have reported no detectable difference in their horses.
Many potentially valuable benefits of oral supplements exist, but to date the efficacy of oral joint supplements in horses is still unproven and many products do not contain enough of the key ingredients. The good news is that some controlled research is being conducted to answer important questions surrounding oral joint supplements.
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© Kentucky Equine Research (Australasia) Pty Ltd
1800 772 198
www.ker.com
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