Joint Supplements - April's Amateur Analysis
- Thread starter _April_
- Start date
wingedhorse
Well-Known Member
No it isnt. If you are feeding at 4gms condroitin and 10gms glucosamine, a tub will only last 15 days, so it will work out rather expensive. It lacks the expensive ingredient - chondroitin.
HorseyJennie
Member
Totally agree with your vet, I can't find any published research which supports this - I dont tend to trust things which are only suppoted by 'in house' claims and it is a very limited supplement which seems to be aiming at bone issues associated with high impact sport.
It must have been gutting for you to see such a loved horse treated like a machine like that, I hate selling horses!
Management wise do exactly as you are - regardless of what else you do I think you will find it will be the biggest factor in keeping him right. Keep well away from circles and unlevel ground, and no trotting on the hard stuff!
For his coffins you want to be looking for something which will give you complete chondroprotection. I would honestly really recommend Green Lipped Mussel. There was an article about it in the horse and hound two/three weeks ago if you have the copies lying around.
Appologies that its for dogs but this has some good information on it:
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/132/6/1634S.short
If you have the time there is a huge amount of research out there.
My vet recommends cosequin which is green lipped mussel but I use the Nupafeed one becasue I think its better. My vet also cast an eye over the analysis and supported it. It has more of the mussel in it than cosequin, then also has selenium and vit E anti oxidants and magnesium and calcium for bones.
My sisters big horse had coffin joints which sound much like your boys - he was having regular HA injections into the joint, new market joint supplement and literally never trotted down so much as an inch of road in his life but he was still not staying sound for long. Swithched him to Nupafeed Flex and it was honestly amazing.
Just looked up the suppleaze which does work out very economically - obviously any Green Mussel option is going to be much more expensive but if you know you've got a problem there that is only going to deteriate as he gets older I would really endorse it if you can find the spare pennies.
Jen xx
joysfourleggedbeasts
New User
Hi Jen,
I saw the article in the horse and hound you mentioned and have been looking for a green lipped mussel supplement (which is why I find myself skiving work looking at this forum!). Maxavita is the obvious one but I have to admit I'm not convinced by it and a friend thought it was a bit of a con and has stopped using it.
I have never heard of Nupafeed Flex?? have you used it for any other problems, is it really that good lol?!
I have a mare with a capped hock and I have noticed that shes not quite 100% on it now the weather has changed - I didn't know if the anti-inflammatory action might help?Sorry everyone if I am diverting the topic of conversation!
HorseyJennie
Member
Yes honestly I would say it is better than 'that good'!! My sisters horse I mentioned was literally a cripple without it, we tried to take him off it when he retired and he went hoping lame within a week even though he wasnt being worked at all.
Most people know Nupafeed for their MAH magenisum calmer (which I use which is how I knew about their Flex GLM). You have to buy it direct from them though which means postage charge if you're under £100 - but they are really good and its much easier for me than having to go to a shop.
It is really strange that you mention a capped hock because we bred one which was kicked in the field as a youngster giving it a capped hock. We tried pressure nbandages, draining and goose grease but nothing worked. I was a bit worried about it so the horse went on Nupafeed Flex when he was being broken (he never did so much as a funny step, but then it may never have been a problem anyway). But the swelling went down tremendously, I just thought it was the regular light work bringing it down but could well have been the Flex GLM... very likely in fact becasue it was out walking about in the field all day everyday before then anyway, so there is not much reason for it to have been the work that brought it down. I'd be interested to know if it helps yours.
Heres a link to the Nupafeed Flex GLM page, I'd definitely give it a go:
http://www.nupafeed.co.uk/index.htm?oc=rel&di=desc&subj=flexglm
Most people know Nupafeed for their MAH magenisum calmer (which I use which is how I knew about their Flex GLM). You have to buy it direct from them though which means postage charge if you're under £100 - but they are really good and its much easier for me than having to go to a shop.
It is really strange that you mention a capped hock because we bred one which was kicked in the field as a youngster giving it a capped hock. We tried pressure nbandages, draining and goose grease but nothing worked. I was a bit worried about it so the horse went on Nupafeed Flex when he was being broken (he never did so much as a funny step, but then it may never have been a problem anyway). But the swelling went down tremendously, I just thought it was the regular light work bringing it down but could well have been the Flex GLM... very likely in fact becasue it was out walking about in the field all day everyday before then anyway, so there is not much reason for it to have been the work that brought it down. I'd be interested to know if it helps yours.
Heres a link to the Nupafeed Flex GLM page, I'd definitely give it a go:
http://www.nupafeed.co.uk/index.htm?oc=rel&di=desc&subj=flexglm
joysfourleggedbeasts
New User
That was quick thanks Jen!!
Think I will give it a try, it is exactly what I am after and the testimonials are really good as well. I'll try and remember to come back and let you know how I go with the hock! xx
Think I will give it a try, it is exactly what I am after and the testimonials are really good as well. I'll try and remember to come back and let you know how I go with the hock! xx
MerrySherryRider
Well-Known Member
Call me a cynic..but all but one of your posts are promoting Nupafeed products. Stealth marketing puts me off from buying totally.
HorseyJennie
Member
Totally understand, I'm sorry not my intention at all - I do sound a little fanatical! In all honestly I dont really get how forums work (I've only just worked out how to do the quotes properly!), searching the lists for something relevant wasnt working so I put in the first thing that came to mind.
I found this post very interesting (doing the math on my expenditure with Christms coming), I can't believe how many of these products there are. Honestly, if you have arthritis related issues Green Lipped Mussel is amazing and it is worth looking outside the more well known straight glucosamine and chondroitin products. This is the product I have used and I have been absolutely amazed by it and I was pleasently suprised when looking at the other products at the expensive end. I've spent a lot of money on things that don't work and I have had two products from this company which have both completely delivered to their claims so yes I do wave their banner.... maybe I should be asking for a commission lol
Anyway if you are looking at joint supplements, please don't let my one track mind deter you xx
MerrySherryRider
Well-Known Member
Sorry HJ, your post made me smile, I'm getting far too cynical.
Quite agree, this thread has been very useful, I've been looking at so many options just recently for joint problems, my head has turned to mush. I've never found a product that has really made a difference, so its great that you've had success.
The more I research, the more undecided I become.......
HorseyJennie
Member
Sorry HJ, your post made me smile, I'm getting far too cynical.
Quite agree, this thread has been very useful, I've been looking at so many options just recently for joint problems, my head has turned to mush. I've never found a product that has really made a difference, so its great that you've had success.
The more I research, the more undecided I become.......
Not at all, I have to admit I have looked at some posts and wondered so I can see where you are coming from.
Mush is definitley the word!! What gets me, especially with joint supplements, is how they can vary so much in cost and content - but the two factors don't always correlate. Something is not right somewhere!
And then you have things like HA - which gets added to quiet a few supplements these days along with the £££s! But there is a reason vets inject this directly into the joints, because feeding it does not work. Customers become aware of this, so then the companies say its a specially formulated bioavailable form of HA that does work from feeding. But you only have the companies word to go on and vets are not using this far safer miracle method of feeding it as their first point of call, they are still injecting it. So it makes you wonder... and how are we meant to know what to believe?!
I think this thread could be made into a website of it's own!
Jen xx
MerrySherryRider
Well-Known Member
Yes, its certainly big business for the manufacturers. Having spent an absolute fortune trying to help a horse previously with every treatment and supplement going, this time around, I'm not so ready to pay for an expensive muck heap. Hence the long hours spent trawling the net and befuddled brain.
joysfourleggedbeasts
New User
Hi Jen,
I just found my login details scrawled on a post it and remembered I was going to come back to you!
So far really pleased with the Flex GLM, I havent noticed any stiffness at all since she has been on it. This weekend I took her for a big long ride and then my daughter came back and did the same on Sunday not realising (she thought she was a bit tried!)... so I took the opprotunity to test her and after she had been stabled all night Sunday I lounged her on a small circle on the hard - completely sound. So really happy.
And I dont want to jinx it but I do think the hock is smaller - I've not mentioned it to my duaghter, I thought I'd give it another month and get her to have a look becasue it's really hard to tell when you are staring at something everyday but I'm sure it has started to make a bit of a difference.
So thanks for your help! Joy
EmmaJaneWilliams
Well-Known Member
Fantastic thread have read it all....!!
Looks like it's a minefield out there, my mare has just had surgery on a fracture/bone chip and the vets have confirmed that she will not be able to be ridden again but I am keen to keep her sound as a lawn mower. The surgery has shown that she has little to no cartilage left on the bottom of her cannon bone so this thread has been amazing to point me in the right direction to help her every way I can.
Looks like it's a minefield out there, my mare has just had surgery on a fracture/bone chip and the vets have confirmed that she will not be able to be ridden again but I am keen to keep her sound as a lawn mower. The surgery has shown that she has little to no cartilage left on the bottom of her cannon bone so this thread has been amazing to point me in the right direction to help her every way I can.
Horses24-7
Well-Known Member
I know this post is old but think it's a fab post and have read the whole thing to help me decide which supplement to feed. Thought others might like a read
mightymammoth
Well-Known Member
I know this post is old but think it's a fab post and have read the whole thing to help me decide which supplement to feed. Thought others might like a read
so which one did you decide on?
Horses24-7
Well-Known Member
Going for the suppleaze gold- Found this
https://www.thepetmedicinecompany.c...viform-Supplease-Gold-Powder-1.5kg-SUP010.php
Which works out fantastic value and decided that by feeding this it gets the nearest to the 10:10:4 ratio needed without costing an absolute fortune!
https://www.thepetmedicinecompany.c...viform-Supplease-Gold-Powder-1.5kg-SUP010.php
Which works out fantastic value and decided that by feeding this it gets the nearest to the 10:10:4 ratio needed without costing an absolute fortune!
Auslander
Well-Known Member
It is a great thread - I read it all a few weeks ago, although I did then decide to go for one which wasn't even mentioned on here!
New horse has been on a loading dose for 8 days now, and I'm fairly convinced that there is a difference, both physically and mentally. He has low grade DJD in his stifles, and is stiff behind until he warms up usually, but in the last few days, he has been very free moving when turned out - even bucking and farting around in the field, which is very unusual for him! He is also extremely jolly, bouncing around all over the place (knocked me clean off my feet this morning - the git!) and the only thing that has changed in his management is the supplement (Easy Joint liquid from Equiform Nutrition btw)
He was supposed to be having a holiday, but he's so full of himself that I'm going to get on him asap, before he loses the plot completely!
New horse has been on a loading dose for 8 days now, and I'm fairly convinced that there is a difference, both physically and mentally. He has low grade DJD in his stifles, and is stiff behind until he warms up usually, but in the last few days, he has been very free moving when turned out - even bucking and farting around in the field, which is very unusual for him! He is also extremely jolly, bouncing around all over the place (knocked me clean off my feet this morning - the git!) and the only thing that has changed in his management is the supplement (Easy Joint liquid from Equiform Nutrition btw)
He was supposed to be having a holiday, but he's so full of himself that I'm going to get on him asap, before he loses the plot completely!
quirky
Well-Known Member
I've put mine on Suppleaze Gold, very impressed with it
Horses24-7
Well-Known Member
I've put mine on Suppleaze Gold, very impressed with it
That's good to hear- have you found it cheaper than on my link £65 for 1.5kg?
Love a bargain!
Horses24-7
Well-Known Member
Also quirky,
What probs had you been having with your horse? Do you just feed at maintenance level?
What probs had you been having with your horse? Do you just feed at maintenance level?
quirky
Well-Known Member
H-24 - I buy it from the same place you linked to. She is on maintenance dose, after having loading her.
She has pre arthritic fetlocks in front and the same condition in her hocks. She had had fronts injected with hyaluronic acid and the hocks were ha and steroids. Fronts done 3 years ago, hocks 2 years. No further treatment.
She was on Equitop My something or other but I didn't see any improvement, hence changing to Suppleaze after doing some reading up.
She has pre arthritic fetlocks in front and the same condition in her hocks. She had had fronts injected with hyaluronic acid and the hocks were ha and steroids. Fronts done 3 years ago, hocks 2 years. No further treatment.
She was on Equitop My something or other
but I didn't see any improvement, hence changing to Suppleaze after doing some reading up.