Your veterinarian, trainer, friend or a stranger on Facebook has told you to start feeding your horse a joint supplement. But your horse’s diet is already complex… why add another element into the mix?
Here are the top 5 reasons you need to be feeding a joint supplement:
1. REDUCE JOINT DISCOMFORT
The main reason people begin feeding a joint supplement is they are already seeing stiffness, joint discomfort or soreness before or after workouts. While alleviating the joint discomfort is vital to creating sustainable soundness, preventing its onset is always preferred. It is also important to understand that joint supplements, depending on their ingredients, work in different ways to alleviate discomfort.
Hyaluronex, in particular, will provide hyaluronic acid (HA) to the joint capsule, and also stimulate the body to create more HA, allowing for more lubrication and less friction in the socket. Other products work in different ways, such as those that contain glucosamine or chondroitin, which contain molecules that are precursors to HA and other components of connective tissue. Because of their mechanism of action, these products might not work as quickly or effectively as HA.
2. PRESERVE ARTICULAR CARTILAGE
While most joint products help provide support to existing joint discomfort, some joint supplements actually work to benefit the musculoskeletal system before damage can occur in the joints. Joint discomfort arises when the articular cartilage is worn away, which can ultimately result in osteoarthritis (aka arthritis) primarily in senior horses, but also in middle aged performance horses. If you can prevent this diminishing of the articular cartilage, you create a more competitive, comfortable, and sounder horse for a longer period of time. So, supplementing before you see a problem – for example, when the horse starts his training is ideal for creating sustainable soundness.
3. PREVENT FUTURE LAMENESS
Up to 60% of lameness occurs due to joint discomfort, so in preventing joint problems from an early age, you can work to reduce the amount of lameness you have in the barn.
4. ASSIST IN EXERCISE RECOVERY, SUPPORT HEALTHY INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE
When shopping for a joint supplement, look at the ingredients! Some contain antioxidants that help support soft tissue health, exercise recovery and a healthy inflammatory response, in addition to just joint health.
Hyaluronex contains two natural antioxidants, hydroxytyrosol and astaxanthin. Hydroxytyrosol is the most potent phenolic antioxidant of olive oil and has been shown to increase plasma antioxidant capacity. Astaxanthin is a naturally occuring pigment that can supports protection from oxidative stress and a healthy inflammatory state (Park et al., 2014).
5. PRESERVE SOFT TISSUES, AID IN REHABILITATION
In addition to joint health, soft tissues health including the tendons and ligaments is also vital in your performance horse’s performance, longevity and soundness. Some products also aid in supporting soft tissue health or support your horse if it is recovering from an injury. To create sustainable soundness, you need longevity in your athlete that comes from both preventative measures and daily maintenance of the joints and soft tissue. Learn more about creating sustainable athletes with Hyaluronex Joint and Hyaluronex.com.