Joint supplement as a preventative?

[doodle]

Does anyone do this? Robin is 13 now, he hasn’t been hammered but he has done a few seasons eventing and was broken to sj. I have no concerns about his soundness or anything just now. Minto first got arthritis at 13 and this is playing on my mind. Was talking with a friend at the yard who has done this with her horse. But how do you know if it helps?

 

[mini_b]

Yes I do this...
and no I’m not sure if you do know don’t have a “worse off” to compare it to.

You ride that horse yourself so you might feel less resistance on a rein, less inclination to stumble, less clickiness? If you don’t have any problems screaming at you it might be difficult to ascertain if it is working or doing anything at all.

I don’t have anything evidential to add other than I noticed a slight click from behind which disappeared quickly when I upped the dosage again. (Tight ar*e!)

I’m sure others can back it up with hard facts but if you can afford to feed a good joint supplement, why not?

If you know you may as well be chucking money on the BBQ then that’s fine as well. I’m all for hearing a bit of bad science!

To conclude... With him I hear clicks and overall stiffness more if the dosage goes down.
He’s been on same supp since 8yrs (13 now)

 

[Bernster]

Yes on recommendation from his physio. Obv could be a total waste of money, and apparently no supplements give them the right daily amount, but hey it does him no harm and should be doing some good. Just started him on turmeric which I’ve always been sceptical about as it doesn’t have the scientific research backing it up.

 

[Reacher]

There was a recent thread on this.
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/...reventative-how-do-i-know-its-working.790937/

On the subject of turmeric my dad has taken it for years for arthritis and notices when he forgets to take it. He isn't a horse, though, obviously, so whether the absorption is different I don't know

 

[Shay]

I was advised to with competition ponies - which in fairness are fairly hammered. Obviously you don't know what would have happened if you hadn't but for me I think its worth it knowing I am doing what I can to protect them. Our 7 year old hunter is on MSM on advice following an injury last year.