Horses are powerful, athletic animals; however, their joints endure significant stress due to their weight, movement and the demands placed upon them by riding, racing and other activities. Joint health is an essential piece of equine care. You can use joint supplements for horses to maintain mobility, reduce discomfort and prevent long-term damage. Keeping your horse healthy and sound is vital to a winning performance.
Horse health and soundness both start with good nutrition. Horses are natural grazers, and many still receive the benefits of forage-based diets for horses. Whether you feed a grain-based or foraged-based diet, you likely also provide numerous supplements.
At BioZyme®, our mission is to have an undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals. That’s why we have developed Vitalize®, a line of supplements for horses and pets with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing. Vitalize even includes joint supplements for horses to provide them with sustainable soundness.
Why Would You Need Joint Supplements for Horses?
Joint supplements for horses will likely be necessary for multiple reasons. Let’s explore 4 primary reasons you should consider a joint supplement for your equine companion.
1. Heavy Workload & High Impact Activities
Many horses are athletes and engage in demanding activities like timed events in rodeo, jumping, racing, eventing and dressage. These high-impact, regular activities place significant strain on their joints. The repetitive motion and impact can lead to joint wear and tear over time, increasing the risk of conditions like equine osteoarthritis.
2. Aging & Natural Joint Degeneration
As horses age, their cartilage breaks down naturally, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility. Senior horses often benefit from joint supplements that help slow the degenerative process and relieve discomfort. To further understand the bone and joint degeneration process, check out our informative guide to horse leg anatomy.
3. Joint Disease & Injuries
Horses are prone to various joint-related issues, including osteoarthritis, which we’ve already mentioned. They are also prone to issues like synovitis and degenerative joint disease (DJD). Injuries, whether acute or from chronic overuse, can damage joint structures and lead to inflammation and pain. Joint supplements for horses help support healing and reduce symptoms.
4. Prevention & Maintenance
Finally, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so ensure that even young and healthy horses receive joint supplements as a preventative measure. Supporting joint health before significant issues arise can help prolong a horse’s active career and prevent costly veterinary treatments later. Keeping your horse sound now can prevent long-term challenges in the future.
Why Does Soundness Matter?
Maintaining your horse’s structural soundness is essential for their overall health, performance and quality of life. It helps prevent injuries and chronic conditions, supports effective training, enhances the horse’s value and promotes longevity.
Proper nutrition, appropriate exercise and good hoof care are critical to ensuring structural soundness.
Of course, we also recommend establishing a good working relationship with your veterinarian. That way, your vet knows your animal when it is healthy, not just when it’s struggling.
This makes it easier for the veterinarian to diagnose and treat your horse when something is wrong with it and ensure it’s living its best life. Working with your vet should always be the first step when you notice a change in your horse’s eating habits or gait.
How to Choose the Right Joint Supplement for Horses
With so many joint supplements available, selecting the right one for your horse depends on several factors:
- Age and Activity Level: Older horses or those high-impact athletes could require more comprehensive supplements with multiple active ingredients.
- Existing Joint Conditions: Horses with arthritis or previous joint injuries may benefit from supplements with stronger anti-inflammatory and cartilage-supporting components.
- Ingredient Quality: Look for high-quality, scientifically backed ingredients with proven efficacy.
- Veterinary Recommendations: Consulting with a veterinarian can help determine the best supplement based on your horse’s specific needs.
Vitalize Makes Joint Supplements for Horses
As an equine enthusiast, you know there are literally dozens of horse supplements on the market. However, there is only one liquid product for horses designed to support sustainable soundness using patented hyaluronic acid and antioxidants: Vitalize® Hyaluronex® Joint.
- Helps maintain a normal inflammatory response and supports normal exercise recovery
- Contains MHB3® Hyaluranon, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid
- Supports bone, joint and soft tissue health
Vitalize Hyaluronex Joint is easy to add in your horse’s diet. Just pump it on your horse’s daily feed, and the horse will eat it and start benefiting from it within days.
What makes MHB3 Hyaluronic Acid Unique?
Yes, hyaluronic acid is common in many joint supplements for horses. However, Vitalize supplements provide MHB3 Hyaluronan, a HA variant scientifically proven to confer greater and more consistent results than any other product on the market. There is simply no better alternative for short- or long-term joint care.
Research indicates that feeding MHB3 may support:
- Joint tissue hydration & lubrication (Tamer, 2013)
- Healthy bones (Welch, 2008)
- Soft tissue & cartilage maintenance (Akmal, 2005; Welch, 2008)
- A normal inflammatory response (Turley, 2003)
MHB3 currently holds 8 U.S. patents for joint health. The liquid nature of MHB3 is proven to be absorbed 3.8x better by the body than dry hyaluronic acid forms such as tablets or capsules.
Other Key Ingredients in Joint Supplements for Horses
We know that many other joint supplements for horses exist. As a horse owner you have choices, and we want to give you as much information as possible.
Joint supplements for horses contain various active ingredients that target inflammation, cartilage repair and lubrication. We’ve listed some of the most common elements found in these supplements and their functions. Although glucosamine and chondroitin are listed and often used together, research shows they are no more effective than placebo for joint discomfort associated with osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is one of the most widely used ingredients in joint supplements. It is a natural compound found in cartilage and plays a crucial role in cartilage formation and repair. Glucosamine helps maintain joint cushioning and reduces stiffness by promoting the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are essential for joint lubrication and function.
Chondroitin Sulfate
Often combined with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate is another vital component of cartilage. It helps retain water in the cartilage, improving shock absorption and elasticity. Chondroitin also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint pain and swelling.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA)
Hyaluronic acid is a key component of synovial fluid, which lubricates joints and absorbs shocks. Horses with joint issues often suffer from reduced synovial fluid quality, leading to stiffness and pain. Our patented MHB3 is a form of HA, and since it is liquid, it absorbs 3.8 times better by the body than other forms of HA. Supplementing with HA helps maintain fluid viscosity, reducing friction and promoting smoother joint movement.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM is a sulfur-containing compound known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It helps reduce swelling and supports collagen production, which is essential for cartilage health. MSM also aids in detoxification and improves circulation to affected joints.
Collagen
Collagen is the primary protein in connective tissues, including cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Supplements containing collagen support tissue repair and strengthen joint structures, reducing the risk of injury and degeneration.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Found in ingredients such as flaxseed and fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. They help reduce joint inflammation, decrease stiffness, and improve overall mobility in horses suffering from arthritis or other degenerative joint conditions.
Turmeric & Curcumin
Turmeric contains curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound that helps alleviate joint pain and stiffness. It also contains antioxidant properties that protect joint tissues from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis and acts as an antioxidant to protect joint tissues from oxidative stress. It also supports the immune system, which is beneficial for horses recovering from joint injuries.
Who is Vitalize?
Vitalize is a line of supplements for horses, dogs and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing. We are a renowned brand of supplements designed to enhance equine health, provide a good gut feeling, and support bone, joint, and soft tissue health. Vitalize products support all equine enthusiasts. From the ranch horse owner on the Western plains to the Olympic jumper, Vitalize offers products to meet the needs of every horse and every rider.
BioZyme® Inc., a global fermentation company pioneering advancements in animal nutrition and health, developed the Vitalize line. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates powerful solutions that improve animal performance.
Furthermore, you can trust safe, accurate products for your horse. Equine supplements from Vitalize meet five quality standards.
- BioZyme is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), and its Vitalize products carry the NASC Quality Seal on products specifically designed for the equine and companion animal health markets.
- Vitalize products contain ingredients that are backed by research as well as multiple U.S. patents.
- Vitalize utilizes an ionophore-free closed production system. BioZyme has taken great care to ensure that our Vitalize products are safely made and have no risk of ionophore contamination.
- Vitalize equine supplements are low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), or simple sugars and starches. While these carbohydrates can be an important part of a balanced diet, some horses may be more sensitive to them.
- Several Vitalize equine supplements are Clean Sport tested and approved, including Vitalize® Hyaluronex® Joint! Our testing guidelines were set by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
Vitalize Can Help!
If you are looking for the best joint supplements for horses, look no further than Vitalize Hyalaruronex Joint with patented MHB3 HyaluranonMHB3 Hyaluronan technology. Backed by research, your horse will thank you!
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