Equine joint supplements

"Healthy as a horse" implies that horses have a good resistance to many diseases. But being athletic in nature they are trained for long hours and made to run long distances. Such activity schedules and accidents can lead to joint inflammation and degeneration of cartilage, a condition termed as osteoarthritis. Cartilage can be broken to an extent where bones rub each other causing severe pain to the horses.

Articular cartilage is one of the first tissues to age and has relatively poor powers of regeneration because of the poor blood supply to the area, even in a healthy equine. The delicate balance between wear and renewal can be easily upset - a strain, a slip or fall, repeated heavy use, poor nutrition, even bad conformation or (in the horse) hoof imbalance through bad or irregular shoeing can start a cycle of events that will lead to progressive degeneration of the joint.

The natural reaction of joints to a strain, injury or wear and tear is to become inflamed, whether visibly so or not - a greater amount of synovial fluid is produced (which is often of poorer quality) and enzymes can be produced which actually degrade the cartilage and synovial fluid (Stashak - 1995). This causes sustained, if not greater, inflammation... a self perpetuating cycle leading to DJD in any animal (and human) as the body cannot produce enough glucosamine to keep up to the rate of repair and renewal that would be necessary. This is especially true of an older animal with the slowing down of body systems that comes with age. 

Glucosamine sulphate	Glucosamine is a naturally occuring substance, it is a sugar, produced in an animal's body (and in yours!) from glucose, and is used in the maintenance and regeneration of healthy cartilage in joints.  Providing additional Glucosamine speeds up the repair and renewal of damaged or worn articulating cartilage
Chondroitin sulphate	Chondroitin helps to neutralise the destructive enzymes and improve the quality of the synovial fluid.
PurforMSM™	A demanding market for premium quality ingredients in the animal nutrition market supports a branded ingredient strategy. Now more than ever consumers are questioning the safety of the products they provide their horses. By using PurforMSM, made in the U.S.A., horse owners can be assured they are using the highest quality MSM available!     Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is created naturally through the earth’s sulfur cycle when phytoplankton and algae die and decompose, releasing sulfur compounds into the atmosphere where they are transformed to DMS. In the presence of ozone and sunlight, DMS is converted to DMSO and MSM. Both are water-soluble and return to the earth’s surface in rain water and are absorbed by vegetation and ultimately eaten by animals. These sources contain very small amounts of MSM, typically < 1 ppm, with the highest concentration in mammal’s milk at 8.2 ppm. Therefore, all commercially available MSM must be manufactured because the amounts found naturally are too small to be extracted.     PurforMSM is a naturally-occurring organic sulfur source, displaying a variety of health-promoting benefits.  Several pre-clinical and clinical studies support the efficacy of MSM in supporting joint health and range of motion by reducing inflammation and increasing circulation.  Research shows that MSM down-regulates inflammatory markers that damage cartilage and protects its integrity.  MSM has shown to improve upper and lower respiratory symptoms due to seasonal allergies.  MSM is a rich source of sulfur; a key constituent for healthy hooves.
Sodium Hyaluronate (HA)	HA is necessary to form cartilage and maintain its structural integrity, as well as increasing the synovial fluid production and viscosity in joints so they move more smoothly.
Ester-C®	Ester-C® Calcium Ascorbate is a unique and patented form of vitamin C. It is made using a proprietary, water-based manufacturing process which results in a pH neutral product that contains naturally occurring vitamin C metabolites. These metabolites activate the vitamin C molecules making it easier for the body to transport them from cell to cell for numerous health benefits.      A joint is not bone alone. Soft tissue -- cartilage and synovial membrane -- exist between bones to permit movement. If such tissue deteriorates, movement becomes more painful. Vitamin C is essential in the making and rebuilding of soft tissue because it promotes the growth of Collagen, a tough, stringy "mortar" that holds cells together. At the same time, the soft tissue also holds water, which maintains compression resistance to cushion the joint.     In healthy cartilage, normal cell loss is balanced by the rebuilding of cells. Under diseased or inflammatory conditions, cell loss is excessive. In the case of a horse's joint, this can mean that adequate cushioning no longer exists. The high demand for Vitamin C may begin exceeding the amount made in the horse’s liver, so deterioration continues. Or supplemented Vitamin C may turn the process around.
Yucca	If your horse does have arthritis or damage in the joints, you may need to support him with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents like Bute or Banamine, which helps with the pain. Keep in mind, however, that horses can experience long term side effects from prolonged use of these kinds of products. These products do not stop the degradation of the joint or aid in healing. To assist with the healing process, try Yucca or Devil's Claw, both of which are anti-inflammatory nutrients that can actually slow the deterioration of the joint. Remember that once a joint become damaged it takes a long time to heal. That's why it is so important to provide your horse with the maximum quality and quantity of nutrients needed to maintain joint health throughout his life.
Boswella	Boswella is the gum resin fraction extracted from the stem bark of Boswellia serrata, a plant native to India. Numerous studies have confirmed that Boswella is an effective therapy for arthritis*. Several tests have firmly established that Boswella is effective in reducing acute and chronic inflammation including edema and arthritis. Unlike many anti-inflammatory drugs Boswella does not produce any adverse effects on blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, or stomach distress. In therapeutic doses, it is completely non-toxic. Boswella may be used to prevent further tissue injury, improve blood supply, and increase mobility of affected joints.