Q: My 16-year-old performance mare is starting to show some signs of joint pain, so my veterinarian recommended adding an equine joint supplement to her daily ration. What are some guidelines for choosing a high-quality supplement? There are so many on the market, and it can be overwhelming to consider the options.
A: Joint health plays a big part in keeping performance horses feeling and moving their best. I’m glad you have already reached out to your veterinarian—whenever a horse shows signs of pain, that should come first.
Joint health supplements can be overwhelming to navigate because of the sheer number available. With so many different active ingredients to consider, it can be challenging to choose one for your horse. Common ingredients in these supplements include glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, devil’s claw, turmeric, vitamin C, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), resveratrol, and even omega-3 fatty acids.
Proposed methods of action for the ingredients vary from decreasing inflammation and supporting cartilage to improving overall comfort for the horse. Be sure to note these products are not medicinal, so the manufacturers should not present them as having properties that treat disease.
Evaluate Equine Joint Supplement Research
Reputable, established companies often back their products with research, consumer support, and educational materials—factors that typically signal higher quality.
Less-reputable companies might provide anecdotal claims of proven results and poorly designed clinical studies that can make the product appear more promising than it is. Studies presented by supplement companies should be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Ideally, they should include information on bioavailability, safety, and efficacy.
Reading Equine Joint Supplement Labels
Accurate labeling helps ensure transparency and trust in the nutraceutical industry. Supplement manufacturers should list both active and inactive ingredients on the package. They should also clearly provide a lot number for product identification, contact information for the manufacturer, dosing instructions, and an expiration date or shelf life on the label.
Look for clear dosing instructions, and make sure you can easily calculate how much of each active ingredient the daily dose provides. With this information you can compare the product’s active ingredient amounts to the research available. For example, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommends an inclusion of up to 10 grams/day of MSM for an average-sized horse. If your horse’s joint supplement falls short of this recommendation in one dose, consider switching to a product with higher levels of the active ingredient.
Evaluate Joint Supplement Product Claims
When a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Again, nutraceutical companies cannot make treatment claims about their products, but some still include misleading statements—even though the FDA doesn’t allow it.
If your mare shows signs of stiffness and joint pain now, you should be able to notice a positive change when adding an oral joint health supplement. If you don’t see a difference by the time you have fed an entire container of the product (often over four to six weeks), dive back into the research and choose a different product.
Take-Home Message
Although numerous positive studies exist on many of the popular active ingredients in oral joint health supplements, equine nutritionists debate the efficacy of some. Therefore, take the time to do your due diligence prior to purchasing a supplement for your mare. If you have questions about specific products, reach out to a qualified equine nutritionist or your veterinarian.
