Healthy joints in growing horses The advice and information platform for all horse and dog enthusiasts.

Whether your young horse is being raised in a rearing facility or at home, the most important things it needs for healthy joints are good roughage and plenty of free movement. A lot of free movement. In addition, minerals also play a crucial role.

Preventing OC(D)

Two major causes of joint problems in horses are OC (Osteochondrosis) and OCD (Osteochondrosis Dissecans). OC involves flattening or malformation of parts of the joints, while OCD also includes loose fragments of bone (chips) in a joint. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in sensitivity to OC(D). If you are breeding, consider the genetic background of your foal's parents, for instance, by checking if the mare has a PROK certificate. Stallions approved by major studbooks usually also need to meet PROK standards. OC(D) generally develops when horses are young, with the critical age being between six months and two years. During this period, bones grow significantly. To support proper growth, a young horse needs plenty of free movement, preferably on varied surfaces with some elevation changes. Movement also improves blood circulation and strengthens tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints. Keeping foals and young horses stabled for long periods is not a healthy way to raise them and often leads to issues later in life, such as lameness.

Minerals for Bone Growth

In addition to adequate movement, a young horse needs sufficient vitamins and minerals to build the body’s structures properly. Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and especially silicon are crucial for bone development. Phosphorus and calcium are usually abundant in the hay and grass a young horse consumes. Zinc and copper levels often depend on the soil quality. If your young horse regularly receives a balancer feed or supplement block, zinc and copper are likely sufficient in the diet. However, hay can sometimes be low in magnesium and is often particularly deficient in bioavailable silicon. Therefore, it is wise to supplement silicon and magnesium, especially on nutrient-poor soils and when fresh grass is scarce. Magnesium is essential for muscles and the nervous system, while silicon supports the body’s production of glucosamine. This mineral promotes the development of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone.

Bioavailability

For both magnesium and silicon, it’s important to consider the bioavailability of the supplement you provide. For magnesium, cheaper options like magnesium oxide are much less bioavailable than organic compounds such as magnesium sulfate or magnesium chelate. Similarly, silicon in dry form is almost non-bioavailable to horses. Always provide silicon as a hydrolyzed liquid supplement.

Learn more about magnesium for horses: https://askheltie.com/en/articles/heltiehorse/magnesium-for-horses-why-magnesium-synergizes-with-b-vitamins-and-tryptophan

Learn more about silicon for young horses: https://askheltie.com/en/articles/heltiehorse/how-can-you-strengthen-the-physique-of-your-young-horse

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