Joint supplement... would it be worth it?

Spyda

Spyda

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I've a rising 3 filly (to make 16.2, WBxTB) with markedly bilateral offset knees (bench knees).

I was discussing her problem with my farrier this morning and he rekons her knees will suffer over time, leading to arthritis. And her fetlock joints too, from what I've read elsewhere. Not immediately, but over time.

So... could using some sort of joint/bone supplement be beneficial at this early stage to postpone the development of the arthritic changes, or would I simply be wasting my money?

Decent supplements are not cheap and this would be a long term investment if I started it now.
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I had this discussion with my vet the other week. Slightly different, as my mare's 9 & already has arthritic changes in her hock, but guess we're talking about the same supplements.

He said there's no scientific evidence to support the use of feeding glucosamine, msm, chrondroitin, HA etc. That's not to say they don't work - said he's certainly observed improved stiffness in his own horses from feeding Cosequin (well out of my budget!) And that it's trial and error - feed & see a difference, then great, but no guarantees.

So, I've decided to feed Aviform's Suppleaze, which (at the recommended rate) supplies 10,000mg of both Glucosamine & MSM, which I hope will help support the joint without breaking the bank. If I don't see a noticable difference in 6 months, I'll stop feeding or try something else.

Don't know how much help that is! It is definately an investment though
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for £30-£50 a month to know you did everything you could.....i think its worth it.

my 5yo has no *issues* but i feed him suppleaze gold anyway so that when he's an old man i will know iv done everything i can to help him stay healthy and happy for as long as poss.

i know a few older horses that have been helped by suppleaze so i know it does *something* for them, hence i like to think it may help as a long term preventative. its good value at £40 for 3 months supply.
 
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He said there's no scientific evidence to support the use of feeding glucosamine, msm, chrondroitin, HA etc.

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No offence to your vet but hes wrong! Most research is human or canine but there have been a handful of studies with horses. Some have conflicting results but you can extrapolate from research done with other species.

op- yes, you can use a joint supplement prophylactically
 
My ex-racehorse is on Cortaflex and it definitely makes a different. Yard forgot to tell me that I'd run out & he didn't get any in his feed for 4 weeks. We thought he'd stiffened up because of the cold - no so - as soon as he was back on the Cortaflex he was all ok again. Was advised to give it to him by a horse physio who was used to working with retired race horses -she said he'll get arthritis but Cortaflex will help delay it and she was right.
 
I have a 10yr old and a 20yr old on Synequin. Once you get through the loading period its not that expensive. It has made a big difference to the 20yr old and I'm hoping it will prove of long term benefit to the 10yr old.
 
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Was advised to give it to him by a horse physio who was used to working with retired race horses -she said he'll get arthritis but Cortaflex will help delay it and she was right.

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That's positive encouragement... I'm hoping something might help slow the development of any arthritic changes that she's inevitably going to get later on in life.
 
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