Joint Supplements for the Competition Horse

Escada2004

Escada2004

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Ok so probably opening up a can of worms here but here goes!

Im posting in here as my question is aimed at competition horses more so than leisure horses. Im neither for or against joint supplements due to not really knowing if they work! I have read articles that say they dont and others that say they do! If you ask any manufacturer of course they will say theirs is the best and it does work! So im debating on whether or not to stat to give one to my rising 6yo showjumper currently competing up to newcomers, she has no known problems but what i would be looking for is something to protect the joints to reduce the risk of problems in the future. She is working pretty hard, 6 days a week and competing 2-3 weekends a month and through the summer we will be at some 2/3/4 day shows. She isnt hammered at home and im very conscious of not over jumping/schooling her and do plenty of straight line work e.g. hacking. So the question is, do i bother with a joint supplement or not?? Do they work?? Am i just throwing money away??? I have tried a few in the past but on horses that dont have problems so i guess you arnt really seeing results but underneath they could still be protecting the joints, or not doing anything at all and just costing me money i could be spending elsewhere! I have had good results with Superfix Sportmax for a horse that did need a little help, however i don't want to use this on a horse with no issue as its also a 'natural' bute!

Sorry its long and if you got this far without falling asleep, you deserve a cup of tea and a cupcake or two ;-)
 
I believe they are good as a preventative. My 12 year old has arthritis and I have seen a big difference by having her on Cortaflex HA with Super Fenn. If as a preventative you could just feed Glucosamine and MSM from Equine America - it's all that's required as preventative and will help to lubricate and support the joints when in work :)
 
I don't but will be watching this as i have been considering giving him glucosamine. His right hock can sometimes be a bit stiff so might be good for that. The only supplement he gets is biotin for his hooves.
 
Escada2004 said:
Ok so probably opening up a can of worms here but here goes!

Im posting in here as my question is aimed at competition horses more so than leisure horses. Im neither for or against joint supplements due to not really knowing if they work! I have read articles that say they dont and others that say they do! If you ask any manufacturer of course they will say theirs is the best and it does work! So im debating on whether or not to stat to give one to my rising 6yo showjumper currently competing up to newcomers, she has no known problems but what i would be looking for is something to protect the joints to reduce the risk of problems in the future. She is working pretty hard, 6 days a week and competing 2-3 weekends a month and through the summer we will be at some 2/3/4 day shows. She isnt hammered at home and im very conscious of not over jumping/schooling her and do plenty of straight line work e.g. hacking. So the question is, do i bother with a joint supplement or not?? Do they work?? Am i just throwing money away??? I have tried a few in the past but on horses that dont have problems so i guess you arnt really seeing results but underneath they could still be protecting the joints, or not doing anything at all and just costing me money i could be spending elsewhere! I have had good results with Superfix Sportmax for a horse that did need a little help, however i don't want to use this on a horse with no issue as its also a 'natural' bute!

Sorry its long and if you got this far without falling asleep, you deserve a cup of tea and a cupcake or two ;-)
Click to expand...
Here previous feedback from H&H http://horse-care-and-advice.weebly.com/j.html
 
nato said:
I believe they are good as a preventative. My 12 year old has arthritis and I have seen a big difference by having her on Cortaflex HA with Super Fenn. If as a preventative you could just feed Glucosamine and MSM from Equine America - it's all that's required as preventative and will help to lubricate and support the joints when in work :)
Click to expand...

Ditto this but I would stick with cortaflex, it's not actually that much more expensive as you buy the tub for the 4 months and I reckon it is that much better.
 
Squeak said:
Ditto this but I would stick with cortaflex, it's not actually that much more expensive as you buy the tub for the 4 months and I reckon it is that much better.
Click to expand...

To add to this if only as preventative I would just give standard Cortaflex. The HA Super Fenn is expensive, particularly the liquid which is what I feed so it is absorbed into the system faster.
 
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