Joint Supplements... Which one!?!

[Laura-Maybe-IV]

Hi all which joint supplement do you think is the best and why? and do you find it cost effective?

I want the best for my horse but I don't want to be ripped of by these supplement companies!!

I know every horse is different but It's so hard trying to find something half decent i've used quiet a few and i'm seriously thinking of just going back to MSM and Devil's claw.
I have a 21 TB mare who has an old tendon injury and does suffer with slight stiffness.. so MSM for joint repair and healthy tissue and Devil's claw for promoting blood to the inflamed areas as well as providing pain relief.

I have used...

- Cortaflex - didn't have much effect on my 36 welsh cob after being on it for 4 years...

- Glucosamine and MSM - Equine America - Good, but my horse was still slightly stiff on some days.

- Kentucky Joint Liquid - Used for 4 months, I haven't really seen much difference in using this to Glucosamine and MSM

- Global Herbs - Alphabute - Horse absolutely hated it

So what are you lovely people out there using and any really effects?

 

[**Vanner**]

I use the Kentucky joint and think it is great for my boy.

I think the devils claw and msn would be as good as any if you are not looking to compete.

 

[Wundahorse]

I use Extraflex with rosehips from Feedmark for our WB who has coffin bone problems,and this always seem to be the best supplement for him.I have tried cortaflex,Movefree and Alphabute,plus Mobi4 from the Vet,none of which made any difference.

 

[Laura-Maybe-IV]

Thank you to you both... I will have a look at extra flex, and see how it prices up and the reviews.. I have gotten a bit skeptical about Joint supplements as like many horse owners I have tried so many which I don't think have worked to be honest!
I swear anything with horse added on the end doubles in price...

 

[The Boy]

There was a very long thread about joint supplement analysis (ingredients measured against a research paper recommendation about ratios in each product) might be worth having a look at.
My 23yr old TB is on Suppleaze Gold and I think it is helping. Sister's horse (7yrs) with hock arthritis is on supplement recommended by vet but when I checked it against the advice on that thread it doesn't look as good as the Suppleaze. When her current batch is finished she is going to switch brands.
Any opinion on a supplement is highly subjective and it can be trial and error!

 

[Laura-Maybe-IV]

There was a very long thread about joint supplement analysis (ingredients measured against a research paper recommendation about ratios in each product) might be worth having a look at.
My 23yr old TB is on Suppleaze Gold and I think it is helping. Sister's horse (7yrs) with hock arthritis is on supplement recommended by vet but when I checked it against the advice on that thread it doesn't look as good as the Suppleaze. When her current batch is finished she is going to switch brands.
Any opinion on a supplement is highly subjective and it can be trial and error!

Hello, yes I have seen the supplement analysis thread which was useful to know the amounts and prices but doesn't really answer many questions for me.
I totally agree though supplements are highly subjective and it is trial and error but it can get so so expensive though..

 

[Wundahorse]

I have seen a combination of extraflex and zero bute work wonders for a few horses,particularly the older ones,gave my friends old mare a new lease of life a few years ago,and she had an old tendon sheath injury plus episodes of laminitis.Like all treatments it is very idiosyncratic,which is why we spend so much money trying different makes before finding something that works.

 

[tankgirl1]

We had mac on NAF Superflex and it really did make a huge difference!

Pooch is on lintbells YuMove - I know they also do a human one, not sure about equines, but it came highly recommended and seems to be keeping her stable

 

[The Boy]

Maybe go back to MSM and devils claw and do a trot up/lunge test at the start, then see if you can notice a difference after 2 weeks. Might give you some idea if these are actually making a difference and if not try something else for a month under same conditions?

 

[budley95]

My boy gets human vegetarian glucosamine (made fom corn - I know its not as effective as shellfish derived but he'd probably be allergic to it). Where I work for a human supplement company it works out pretty cheap, is slightly stronger than horsey stuff when you actually look at the amounts (2KCl strength is what I use), and chondroitin helps with absorption of it - I think dodson and horrell do a supplement with these combined?MSM is pretty good for muscles, Turmeric (tablets aound 10,000mg not the stuff off you spice rack) can help with swelling which usually comes with athritis and Omega 3's help with joints as well. Best thing is keep them warm and moving - walking ofs stiffness, if genuine stiffness helps loads with my boY!

 

[Mongoose11]

Www.riaflex.co.uk. Much higher dose of active ingredients than many of the other off the shelf supps.

 

[Laura-Maybe-IV]

Thank you all for your replies!

I will have to have a serious think as to what to do, I was recommended NAF superflex but I'm not completely sold on it to be honest, It's very similar to Cortaflex which I have used previously and didn't do anything much for my 36 year old Welshie.

Think I might try the MSM with Devil's Claw.
Thanks all for your replies it's really making me think about different options!

 

[littlepetal]

Have a look at Hack Up Ltd and alex Gingell, he creates bespoke supplements for horses and they are fantastic, i have my ex eventer on one and 28yo with chronic arth in his hocks and he is on alex's stuff and doesnt need any bute. They are natural, very effective for pain relief, stiffness, joints etc whatever you want and work out much cheaper than the shelf supplements. Have a look

 

[competitiondiva]

Vet vits equiflex all the way!!!!

 

[wallykissmas]

Suppleaze, I can't find anything that is as pure on msm and glucosamine at their price and I've looked at so many and spent the time writing down how much I would need to give to get 10'000mg of each per day and what it would cost me.

Equine answers was another one I found which was good but it has gone up in price in the past few years when I changed over to aviform.

 

[wallykissmas]

Www.riaflex.co.uk. Much higher dose of active ingredients than many of the other off the shelf supps.

You don't know what size their scoops are ? Their site states 3 scoops to get the same as aviform's two scoops. Aviform is quite a. It cheaper might be worth a look for you I don't work for them honest.

 

[goatbabies]

I use protexin (on the horse, not me!) and like it.

The best way to see if a joint supplement is working is to take them off of it after a month or so for a week or two and see if you notice any difference. I done this with a few and didn't notice much difference, then with the protexin after not even a few days she was stiffening up, so back on it and had no problems since!

 

[Ali2]

Suppleaze Gold - not cheap but good value IMO - good spec, they work to GMP so will meet label claim, excellent customer service and they'll price match if you find somewhere else selling it cheaper. My big lad has this and his stiffness, even after long periods of stabling, is gone