joint supplements

[sally2]

Hi,
Do joint supplements work or are they just a way of making loads of cash for horse feed companies. I would be interested to hear from forum users if they have found joint supplements to be of benefit on there own and without any other kind of veterinary intervention. The reason is, i have a lame horse and we still have not found the cause after xray, nerve block of nearly all the joints, just to go back for some more tests on the stifle. I was under the impression that any kind of degeneration to joints other than injury was irreversible and would continue to degenerate regardless of intervention. My father who was a farrier used to have severe back problems and walked with a stoop nearly all his life, if he had a day off he could not move so he worked 7 days a week just did less on Saturdays and Sundays. He was informed it was the movement that kept him sound so maybe it is the same with a horse it is not the supplement but the regular exercise that keeps them from stiffening up interested to hear the thoughts of everyone.
PS I am not comparing me old Dad to horse just using it as an example.

 

[Ella19]

yes I do agree that light exercise can keep a horse supple.

Regarding joint supplements, no they are not a miricle cure, they can however help prevent the condition from becoming worse and be used as a preventative in the first place. They are best started before the start of any joint problems, especially for those predisposed to joint problems. You need to have both glucosamine and chondrotin and the dose needs to be high enough to have an effect. I would always look into the scientific research behind them, one i would reccomend is cosequin, they have enough research behind them for me to believe this can help.

 

[traceyann]

I use recovery eq and vetrofen both excellent