Joint & Tendon Supplements: Protection for the Musculoskeletal System

Joint & Tendon Supplements: Joy of Movement for Your Horse

A healthy musculoskeletal system is the basic prerequisite for a long, pain-free horse life. However, due to sports, incorrect loading, age-related wear and tear, or during growth, cartilage, ligaments, and joints are often extremely challenged. With a high-quality joint and tendon supplement, you provide the body with exactly the nutrients it needs to regenerate and maintain mobility. Active ingredients such as green-lipped mussel, MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin support the formation of synovial fluid, nourish the cartilage, and strengthen the connective tissue. This ensures your horse remains elastic and eager to move even in old age or under heavy athletic strain.

The Building Blocks for Healthy Cartilage

Joint cartilage is not supplied with blood; instead, like a sponge, it feeds exclusively via the synovial fluid. If nutrients are lacking, the synovial fluid becomes thin and the cartilage rubs off – arthrosis develops. Supplements containing hyaluronic acid and the extract of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel provide valuable glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which bind water in the joint and restore the shock-absorbing function of the cartilage.

Plant-Based Pain Relief from Nature

For existing problems (such as bone spavin, ringbone, or tendonitis), horse owners like to use herbal helpers. Devil's claw, rosehip, willow bark, and ginger have proven themselves through their strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. They help the horse to break out of its relieving posture and move pain-free again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can supplements cure arthrosis (osteoarthritis)?
No. Arthrosis is chronic cartilage wear and tear that cannot be reversed. However, high-quality joint supplements can significantly slow down further cartilage degradation, inhibit inflammation, and thus help the horse to enormous pain relief and a better quality of life.

Can I feed devil's claw permanently?
Devil's claw should rather be fed as a cure (e.g., over 6 to 8 weeks) during acute bouts of inflammation and pain. If given continuously over many months, it can irritate the horse's stomach lining. Alternatively, rosehip (rich in vitamin C and galactolipids) is excellent for long-term feeding.

Are joint supplements doping-relevant?
Caution at competitions: Herbs like devil's claw or willow bark have an analgesic effect and are strictly doping-relevant according to FEI regulations! The corresponding withdrawal periods must be observed before a competition starts. Pure building blocks like MSM or glucosamine are generally safe.