Green lipped mussels

[Horsey Sophie]

Has anyone fed green lipped muscles for stiffness or arthritis and if so, do you think its helped?

I have to be careful what supplements I use as my horse did have a mild case of laminitis a few years back. I didn't realise how much weight he'd put on or how much sugar was in his feeds, I wasn't riding as much and it was following a wet but sunny Spring ... he's had no repeat of it, but I'm now super careful anx reluctant to use a glucosamine based supplement "just in case".

From what I've read, Gold Label green lipped mussel supplement doesn't contain any additional glucosamine but I've emailed Gold Label to double check this, as science was never my strong point at school!

I've heard good things about green lipped mussels, but I don't know anyone with any experience of using them directly.

 

[Birker2020]

http://www.greenlippedmusselnz.com/articles/green-lipped-mussel-for-horses/ is a good link.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/feat...ue-natural-equine-joint-care-promotion-489306 and this is a h&h link.


good luck, beware it can cause side effects in people so not sure if this is the same for horses.

 

[Shay]

I use MaxVita Maxaflex which is a green lipped muscle extract. We started it a few years ago for a then 17yr old cob in fairly heavy work - hunted twice a week in season. PC / ODE in the summer. There was nothing wrong as such - but he was getting a bit stiff the day after and I was worried about him as he got older. I think it has made a huge difference to him. He isn't stiff after hunting anymore and his general paces have improved. I didn't think he was stiff generally before but his fluidity in general, his suppleness and his lateral work improved that first summer which I didn't expect. We're now 3 years on, he is still in just as heavy work and I don't think he is any older or stiffer than that first season.

 

[NZJenny]

I like mine poached in wine.

I've never heard of them being used as a joint supplement though - crushed mussel shells get used on arenas here.

 

[Barnacle]

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/...rheumatoid-arthritis/green-lipped-mussel.aspx

I wouldn't. It's the omega-3 that has an effect (if any) on prevention of arthritis (as far as the mussels go) - so why buy into all that when you can just buy the actual stuff, right?

Saying that, there are 3 types of omega-3. Two are found in fish/shellfish oils... The other is found in vegetable oils and can be converted into the other two types in the body. Those vegetable oils are things like linseed. So, frankly, might as well just feed more linseed.

But there's more to it. Omega-3 is not good for you (or horses) in excessive doses. It needs to be balanced against other fatty acids (omega-6) in an appropriate ratio. Otherwise it's actually harmful...

Well it turns out fresh grass has these fatty acids in just the right ratio... Not hay though - grass.

So... Best options is grass. However, if you are concerned about laminitis, I'd go with linseed/flax (canola also but less so) - or try to ask your vet what their opinion is on feeding fish-derived omega-3 supplements intended for humans (fish oils NOT fish LIVER oils!) and what dose they'd recommend. There are products on the market aimed at horses but they contain the same stuff and will doubtless cost a lot more.