Supplements for joints - DJD - Collagen?

[yahneddy]

Has anyone heard of, or used, a collagen based supplement for their horses joints? I have a veteran mare who was diagnosed with DJD in the knees well over 10 years ago. Thankfully with careful management she is sound enough for RC activities and we have no problems.

I am just curious as I have seen this product (I know it is human not horse specific but am interested in the principle)
http://www.highernature.co.uk/ShowProductFamily.aspx?ProductFamilyID=394

My mare is on Extraflex HA and cider vinegar. As collagen is a major component of cartilage, I would be interested to know if collagen could help her too?

What do you reckon?
Any info or advice welcomed. Many thanks!

 

[PollyB]

I'm sorry i don't know of any but just to say i was about to post a similar question so think will keep an eye on this one!

My boy is on Adequan injections, bute and cortaflex although his DJD and the severity of his other conditions mean the Cortaflex is a bit useless and wanted to know what else i could give him, i can't ride him but would be nice to know what else i can do to make hime more comfy!

 

[dwi]

Try this

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query...p;dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query...p;dopt=Abstract

Is collagen often not made from equine or bovine sources though? Apologies if I'm barking up completley the wrong tree

 

[yahneddy]

Thanks for those Becky, interesting reading.
[ QUOTE ]
Is collagen often not made from equine or bovine sources though?

[/ QUOTE ] - the supplements that I have seen have been using marine derived collagen.

 

[henryhorn]

I haven't heard of anything but I can tell you we have had amazing results from a supplement we changed to several weeks ago.
I've long been a fan of cortaflex but the cost was bothering me, so our local supplier suggested I try what she uses, Multi-Plex HA.
A lot cheaper and I was sceptical to say the least. The stallion has it because of possible problems due to his broken pelvis, and you would not believe the difference in his action.
He now floats along...It's made by pro-techt and we will most definitely be staying on it.. for anyone looking fora joint supplement try it, reading the label it also has what they call a marine extract so whether that's green lipped mussells I haven't a clue, i just know it works..

 

[kizzywiz]

HA is unlikely to be effective unless it is injected directly into the joint, so it is the other ingredients in your supplement which have improved the horse. Some ingredients in well known joint supplements are sourced from shark cartilage, there is no evidence to support their use, as horses are vegetarians!! & are therefore unlikely to be able to utitlise them. Try Equiform Nutrition's Easy Joint Liquid, I have used it for ages with great success, contains lots of extras to help uptake the main ingredients which are MSM & glucosamine, its on a cider vinegar base.

 

[Marilyn]

For joint supplements, try Equimins' Flexijoint, it comes as a powder or as two liquid variations (one with Devils Claw and the other with Bromelain)

 

[Lucy_Ally]

Seriously, please don't waste your money on this product. It can do none of the things it claims and will not help with DJD.

 

[henryhorn]

kizzy wiz did you not read my post?
There has been a massive improvement in the horse's way of going, so whether HA works or not in your opinion, whatever is in that product works on our horse!!!!
I won't be trying anything after results like this has produced, why would I?
Like you Iwas merely telling the original poster that something I used worked for us; it may do the same for them.

 

[yahneddy]

Thanks all for your responses, Henryhorn that supplement looks interesting, have looked it upon the web, thanks for that.

Lucy_spring, your response is very definate, may I ask why you are so sure that the product definately will not have any effect? Thanks!

 

[Lucy_Ally]

I will PM you

 

[aran]

I second what Lucy_spring has said - no point at all!

BTW: the majority of joint supps are fish based as this is the most abundant, cheap source so if you feed any then you are probably feeding a fish based product. Secondly we have no real idea how HA, CS and Glu work but trials do show that the combination can slow OA progression when given orally. The amounts that reach the joint are tiny so we think that the action is via metabolism in the liver.

Personally - choose a good supp (HA, CS and Glu), give omega 3 and bute whn needed. Above all keep the horse as mobile as possible - don't bother with expensive supps that make outrageous claims - nothing cures OA or repairs the damage (at the moment) - if they did then I'd be out of work - which I certainly am not. If the claims are unbelievable then they proabably are!