Joint supplements - How many are tested?

[cabbagepatch88]

I was talking to my vet in the week about joint supplements and his view was that the only thing worth spending any money on is glucosamine hydrochloride.

Which led me to wonder.....does anyone know of any joint supplements that have been tested and proven to work?

 

[Shay]

There are references to studies - but I can't find the original items. As with a lot of human medicine you never know what was sponsored by the manufacturers and what was independent.

Some of the studies I turned up are in the links below - but I can't vouch for scientific accuracy....

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=15498&articleid=1594
http://www.equisearch.com/article/joint-supplements-horses-18712
http://thenaturallyhealthyhorse.com/joint-supplements-horses/
http://horse-journal.com/content/content/5392/big-gun_nutraceuticals.pdf
http://davidmarlin.co.uk/portfolio/...tific-evidence-is-there-to-support-their-use/

Edited to add: The last link seems the most comprehensive and appears to reference peer reviewed published works. Perhaps start there!

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Very few commercially available equine joint supplements have been shown to have any beneficial effect in studies.
And those that have, well, the results of a non-blinded study in 8 horses that used trainer/owner assessment as an outcome measure aren't going to convince me that Wonder Product X does a blimmin' thing

 

[Goldenstar]

I think cortaflex was subject to a proper blind trial .
I would say most of your money just gets pooed out .
And don't get me started on the cocktails of herbs for sale .

 

[Tyssandi]

I was talking to my vet in the week about joint supplements and his view was that the only thing worth spending any money on is glucosamine hydrochloride.

.Which led me to wonder.....does anyone know of any joint supplements that have been tested and proven to work?

Well I have seen the results in 8 animals on my yard with Flexi Joint and there is a money back guarantee. MY horses/liveries/donkey improved 85% on Flexi Joint the other 15% was the bodies own work

Personally i don't care what the critics say i want to see with my own eyes to make a judgment

 

[ester]

Generally not many, there is also a big question mark over whether molecules the size of glucosamine and chondrotin can be absorbed let alone head to the joints from there.

The placebo affect works just as well with animals.

Personally I prefer to treat joints directly or feed and anti inflammatory (boswellia is what I use ATM)

 

[skint1]

Yeah, I prefer to use anti-inflammatories like boswellia and devil's claw but I have friends that swear by all kinds of supplements so it may be literally a case of "horses for courses".

 

[Nicnac]

This is my 'go to' man for the answer to questions like this

http://davidmarlin.co.uk/portfolio/...tific-evidence-is-there-to-support-their-use/

 

[Shay]

That's the last one I linked to when I first replied. I must admit I am very impressed with his work!

 

[Zuzzie]

Well I have seen the results in 8 animals on my yard with Flexi Joint and there is a money back guarantee. MY horses/liveries/donkey improved 85% on Flexi Joint the other 15% was the bodies own work

Personally i don't care what the critics say i want to see with my own eyes to make a judgment

Yes, I can agree with this. I tried quite a few supplements with zilch results. Horse was on Bute (one a day) for a few years and then someone recommended Equimins Flexi Joint. I have seen a big improvement to such an extent that I have stopped the Bute.

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Anyone know where Equimins source the shark cartilage they use in Flexi Joint? Can't see anything on their website saying if it's from non-endangered species or not.

 

[Zuzzie]

You could give them a ring. I have spoken to them on 2 occasions and find them really helpful.