Osteoarthritis in horses - What can be done?

Osteoarthritis in horses - What can be done?

Whether it's the hock joints, cervical spine, or hoof joints, the term "arthritis" is likely familiar to most horse owners. But what exactly is arthritis? And how can we support our horses when it comes to this issue?

What is Arthritis? Arthritis refers to the progressive wear and tear of joints, along with the loss of cartilage. In older horses, age-related joint wear is common. However, younger horses can also develop arthritic changes in their joints due to injuries or poor loading. Early or excessive strain can also promote the development of arthritis.

Signs of Arthritis Signs of arthritis include the typical "warm-up" needed, lameness, or a stiff gait. The problem often improves with movement.

Prevention and Support To prevent arthritis, regular movement is essential for horses. This doesn't just refer to regular work, such as riding or lunging, but especially to free movement in paddocks or pastures. Consistent movement ensures that the musculoskeletal system remains active. Lack of movement can harm the naturally active horse, even though some horse owners restrict turnout out of fear of injury.

Diet Considerations For horses with arthritis, it's important to monitor their diet. Weight reduction should be pursued if the horse is overweight, as excessive body weight unnecessarily stresses the joints. It's also crucial to ensure an adequate supply of minerals. Additionally, certain supplements can be beneficial for supporting the joints. These so-called "chondroprotectives" are substances that protect cartilage and are designed to prevent further cartilage loss while supporting cartilage regeneration. The goal is to reduce or delay inflammation in the joints and the associated joint destruction.

Supportive Supplements One option to support the musculoskeletal system is the use of Curcumin. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to have positive effects on inflammation and mobility, particularly in tendonitis. Our new product Gangwunder uses the effects of turmeric to relieve joint discomfort. Gangwunder is already available for end customers in our online shop.

If you're looking for a bit more support, Ability is the right choice. In addition to curcumin, Ability contains hyaluronate, which helps maintain joint fluid and supports the musculoskeletal system. The unique encapsulation of the curcumin in Ability makes its bioavailability and absorption into the bloodstream 85 times more efficient.

The BozMerix product combines microencapsulated curcumin with ASU (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables). Studies have shown that ASU extracts have a disease-modifying effect in inflammatory joint arthritis. Indian frankincense (Boswellia Serrata) and Omega-3 fatty acids complete the formulation and promote natural anti-inflammatory processes.

Duraflex-HA also contributes to the maintenance of the cartilage matrix with ingredients such as glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin sulfate, which can be used to support joint health. For those who want to add Devil's Claw and other herbal extracts like rose hips, yucca, and capsicum, Flex Alpha is an ideal choice.

Ability, BozMerix, Duraflex-HA, and Flex Alpha are products from our Vetline and are therefore only available through your veterinarian. If you need a veterinarian who can provide these products, please feel free to contact us.

 

 

[1] https://www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/de/das-klinikum/kliniken-polikliniken-institute/oupc/fuer-patienten/patienteninformation-uebungsprogramme/Knie/arthrose-des-kniegelenkes/Definition-Kniearthrose#:~:text=Der%20Begriff%20Arthrose%20bezeichnet%20den,liegende%20Knochen%20wird%20vermehrt%20belastet.

[2] Meyer und Coenen (2014) Pferdefütterung, 6. Auflage, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart

[3] http://www.gesundheits-lexikon.com/Knochen-Gelenke-Sehnen-Muskeln-Bindegewebe/Arthrose/Knorpelschuetzende-Mittel-Chondroprotektiva-.html

[4] Eyles-Owen, S. (2018) Dietary turmeric reduces inflammation and improves mood and mobility in horses with fetlock joint inflammation, YS Journal

[5] Purpura et al. / TRM Ireland Co.

[6] Kawcak, C.E. et al. (2007) Evaluation of avocado and soybean unsaponifiable extracts for treatment of horses with experimentally induced osteoarthritis, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Editorial Type: Bone, Joint and Cartilage

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