Joint Supplements - Do you?

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smiffyimp

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Hi All. As title really, do you use them or not. If you do what made you start. I have a 6yo who is out and about doing all sorts, a typical week would be something like, 2-3 school sessions (he works pretty hard in these) 1-2 hacks - meant for relaxation and enjoyment, usually end up jumping at bloody pheasents:) 1x lesson either school or jump( very hard work). 1x comp either jump or dressage. 1 day off. sometimes 2 depending on my joints:) He is well, fit no joint problems. Im asking as some people swear by them, some don't bother (including top comp horses that I know) just want the best for the boy, but dont want to spend a fortune for the sake of it:)
 
My OH's clydesdale mare is bred very close behind - the Clydesdale are bred to be cow hocked and the closer the better for the ring - which is a great shame as it does put stress on them. Our vet's advice is to put her on a joint supplement and make keep her insured! Therefore since we got her as a four year old she has been on Feedmark's Extraflex and instant linseed to help with what will be wear and tear on her hocks from the way she is put together.

My gypsy cob has good conformation, so though the same age and build - albeit smaller in height, he is not on joint supplements, though he does get linseed.

I never jump or gallop on hard ground, hammer on the roads or work on very small circles. They do a bit of everything but not high level and so far all my horses have not had any joint problems apart from old age taking toll when they are in the late teens/20s.

I think supplements have their place, as in the case of Farra and very hard working horses but not on your day to day average work, no conformation faults animal until later in life.
 
I do but only on vet advice. My horse was diagnosed with spavins in both hocks this time last year and my vet suggested I put him on a joint supplement. He said it will never reverse the damage but it might help to stop it getting worse much faster.
 
I had the physio out for my boy a couple of years back and he had a bit of a dodgy back. she told me to put him on cortaflex HA. It didn't make a dot of difference so I took him off it 6 months later as it was costing me a fortune.

He has been slightly arthritic (takes a long time to warm up in the winter, stiff behind till fully warmed up and uncomfortable with the farrier when being shod behind) for a few years and over this winter I put him on codlivine supple joint. It's cheap (£30 for about 2 months worth) and effective IMO. He has been noticeably more comfortable in himself and moving much better. It's got cod liver oil and evening primrose oil in it.

It seems to work for him but I think the trouble with joint supplements is that it very much depends on the horse. I wouldn't put mine on anything unless I felt he needed it.
 
Thanks guys. Its kind of my opinion not to use unless there is a reason. My 31 yo has never been on any supplement apart from a a GP one and never had a days lameness - ive had him 21 years, but we didn't jump or school as much as the baby does. It gets so confusing! Sometimes I think it best to go back to basics:)
 
When mine, first started having problems with his feet (soft tissue damage but potential associated bone stress) vet recommended Glucosamine and Naf inflamaze which was MSM and a few other things.

After insurance ran out I moved onto a combined one that had those active ingredients.

He's in rehab at the moment and I'll keep feeding while I think there is ongoing healing but may try doing without at some point.

Long term my vet said I could continue with the Glucosamine but the MSM was only of value while things were repairing.
 
2 of mine are on Cortaflex. One is a 31 year old TB x who is now retired but has arthritis and suffers from stiffness so the Cortaflex helps this. The other one also suffers from stiffness and my vet advised me to feed him a joint supplement.

My other two horses do not have a joint supplement as they don't need one. My advice would be, don't use one unless you need to as they are expensive and pointless if your horse doesn't suffer from joint problems.
 
My 18 year old Warmblood has Glucosamine MSM as he has a touch of arthritis in his hocks. I have found that this works for him quite well. But every horse is different!
 
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