Do Older Horses Need Joint Supplements?

Joint supplements for older horses are essential to maintain good musculoskeletal health throughout work and retirement. Ensuring condition is maintained in the structures involved with movement and motion is imperative to longevity and health.

What is the best joint supplement for an older horse?

Answer. Glucosamine, chondroitin, sodium hyaluronate, and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are known to promote joint health. The best method to provide these nutrients to your horse is through targeted supplementation that complements a balanced diet.

What do senior horses need?

Make sure your saddle fits properly as your senior horse’s topline changes. Feed your horse a high quality diet that meets all their nutrient needs. Watch for early signs of cancer or Cushing’s syndrome for best treatment outcomes. Keep senior horses up-to-date on vaccines and deworming to prevent infection.

At what age do horses get arthritis?

Old age, age: 15 or more years. Signs of arthritis are very common in horses over age 15. After a lifetime of work, even one that didn’t involve strenuous exercise, it’s almost inevitable that a horse’s joints will develop some degree of stiffness.

How can I help my senior horse gain muscle?

One way to increase an older horse’s ability to build and maintain a topline is to increase their protein intake. While a horse will get protein from hay and natural pasture, additional protein will enhance their performance and muscle building ability.

Are joint supplements worth it for horses?

The simple answer is yes, your horse could benefit from a joint supplement! Whether a performance animal or pasture pet, joint supplements help horses feel their best.

Do equine joint supplements really work?

There does not appear to be a benefit from glucosamine supplementation on joint health in horses. Higher quality studies may be beneficial in further understanding potential effects for glucosamine. THE VERDICT: Insufficient evidence, poor efficacy in horses.

At what age is a horse considered senior?

By age definition “senior” horse has been defined as 15+ years of age. Due to improvements in veterinary care and nutrition, horse routinely live 25-30 years of age, some into their 40’s. It is not uncommon to see horses in late teens and twenties performing at high levels.

Can you ride a 20 year old horse?

Some horses have physical conditions or diseases that require an early retirement. Other horses can be ridden late into their life without issues. As a general rule, most horses should stop being ridden between 20 to 25 years old. Any horse, no matter their age, still requires a decent amount of exercise.

Is a 20 year old horse considered old?

Horses can be classified as “seniors” once they reach 15-20 years old. Some common signs of aging include⁵: A swaybacked appearance as the back dips. General loss of muscle / a bony appearance.

What do vets give horses for arthritis?

The most common drug used is phenylbutazone (bute) but there are others if bute does not agree with your horse, or he refuses to eat it. These drugs help by reducing the pain associated with arthritis, and so allowing them to move more freely.

How do you tell if a horse has arthritis?

The most common symptoms of arthritis are swollen joints, stiffness, uneven gait, shortened stride and lameness. Your horse may be unable or unwilling to keep up with your demands. Jumpers may no longer want to stop or turn.

What should I feed my senior horse with arthritis?

Feed a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory in nature and low in omega-6 fatty acids, which are pro-inflammatory. In other words, feed more fiber (hay and grass) and fats rich in omega-3s and less grains and oils high in omega-6.

Why do old horses get skinny?

Older horses don’t have to become underweight horses. If senior equines begin to lose weight, there is usually a reason for the change such as dental inadequacy, gastrointestinal inefficiency, immune dysfunction, or the stresses associated with pain.

How can I improve my older horse’s topline?

Answer. Providing a balanced diet with high-quality protein and amino acids can help support topline development and reduce muscle wasting as horses age. Mature horses have relatively low dietary protein requirements; however, protein quality can be a limiting factor when feeding grass hay.

What do you feed a 20 year old horse?

Good quality grass hay and corn or a complete pelleted ration for mature (not aged) horses are the feeds of choice. Avoid legumes (alfalfa and clover), wheat bran and beet pulp due to high calcium (legumes, beet pulp) or phosphorus (wheat bran) content.

Do vets recommend joint supplements?

In combination with NSAIDs, your vet may recommend a joint supplement to ease your dog’s discomfort. Joint supplements have clinically proven protective effects on the joints by addressing inflammation and contributing to cartilage repair.

When should you start a horse on joint supplements?

After two years of age, your horse’s growth will slow down substantially. While they will not reach their full adult height for another few years, you can start them on a low maintenance dose of a joint supplement as young as age two.

Can a horse have too much glucosamine?

COMBINATION OF CHONDROITIN SULFATE AND GLUCOSAMINE
There don’t appear to be any side effects associated with the use of the combination, and 5 times the recommended dose can be safely administered to horses.

How long does it take for a supplement to work on a horse?

It takes several days for the supplement to build up in the system, with many equestrians seeing results in as little as 3-5 days. Be sure that you give any supplement a trial period of at least two weeks to determine whether or not it is a good fit for your horse.

Is glucosamine or MSM better for horses?

Complementary ingredients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that the combination of MSM and glucosamine worked better to maintain equine joint health than either ingredient alone.