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VET VIEWPOINT...
WE VIEW THE OPINIONS OF OUR VETS ON THE
TOPIC OF
EQUINE JOINT SUPPLEMENTS...
Joint Supplements
- Fact or Fiction?
Jacqui Paton BVSc
CertEP MRCVS
Scarsdale Veterinary Group
Alistair Couper BVMS MRCVS
Capontree Veterinary Centre
I find the issue of equine joint supplements
particularly frustrating. There are a whole
plethora of different supplements available
from a host of different manufacturers that
claim to be of great benefit in easing joint
pain and stiffness in horses. Since these are
not prescription medicines there is
little or no proven clinical data to support
these claims.
Although undeniably some joint
supplements are beneficial for some
horses, I find the response of individual
horses to be very unpredictable and I have
not found one particular supplement that
I can recommend with confidence. In my
experience basic glucosamine and
chondroitin supplements are of little benefit
but the addition of Omega-3 EFA’S, MSM
and minerals such as Vitamin E and
selenium to the supplement seem to give
a considerably improved response.
Toby Kemble BVetMed MRCVS
Wensum Valley Veterinary Surgeons
Many claims are made by manufacturers,
regarding the effectiveness of different equine
joint supplements. Because supplements are
not as tightly regulated as medicines, some
of these claims may be misleading and may
exaggerate the benefits of the product. It is
very unlikely that any joint supplement can
make a lame horse sound.
However, from the feedback I receive from
my clients, I am in no doubt that some
horses benefit from joint supplements. I have
seen numerous examples of horses which
move more freely and recover more quickly
when they are on a supplement. They seem
particularly beneficial to animals over the
age of seven or those animals that have
previously injured a joint.
At Wensum Valley Vets we use two main
products, one contains 99% pure
Glucosamine Hydrochloride, the other a
combination of Glucosamine, Chondroitin
Sulphate and MSM. Some horses seem to
work better on one while others are more
suited to the other.
For more information about Joint
Supplements, please contact your
local XLVets Equine practice.
SPRING 2012 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
20
Equine oral joint supplements can be a
useful tool in the management of equine
joint disease, especially degenerative
conditions such as arthritis. There are
several published controlled studies
which show improvement in joint disease
parameters with their use. There are
many joint supplements on the market,
which can make choosing an
appropriate supplement confusing.
It is important to choose one with high
quality ingredients and good quality
control. They are easy to administer
and, in contrast to many other available
treatments, have no significant side effects
with long-term use.
Clinically I generally use these supplements
as one part of a multi-factorial treatment
regime often combined with intra articular
medication, regenerative therapies (such
as IRAP or PRP) and/or physiotherapy. I
find them of most benefit to horses in the
early stages of osteoarthritis, or horses
recovering from joint surgery or injury.