Is there pain or discomfort?

A horse that is lame (or not completely sound) does not necessarily experience unbearable pain. An abnormal gait can also result from incorrect posture or stance. Of course, pain or discomfort can still be present. Your veterinarian can often rule this out and provide a diagnosis. Based on this information, you can look for a supportive supplement that offers mild pain relief. For arthritis and age-related issues, clove extract works very well. Clove is both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory, making it a good and long-term option for horses with pain or discomfort.

Silicon stimulates glucosamine production

For joint problems, it is often recommended to give glucosamine. But did you know that a glucosamine supplement (especially in powder form) is only utilized about 10% by the horse’s body? The rest is excreted through manure as the horse cannot process and absorb it. Such a waste! Fortunately, there is an alternative: silicon. Silicon is an extremely important building block of the body. It forms the basis for connective tissue and thus supports bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, hooves, and skin. Just for this function alone, it is already interesting for horses with joint problems. But an even more important function of silicon is that it stimulates the production of the body’s own glucosamine. When you give your horse silicon, your horse also gets more glucosamine in its body, and in a form that it can fully utilize! Two birds with one stone! Be sure to choose hydrolyzed silicon, as it is the only form that can be fully absorbed by the body. The dosage of hydrolyzed silicon is also lower than other forms, making the daily cost lower. Another bonus!

Herbs are a fantastic support!

The power of herbs is often underestimated. But herbs have been used as medication for centuries; they are incredibly powerful and can provide real relief. For horses with joint problems, herbs can be very beneficial, especially when combined. For example, choose a combination of turmeric, boswellia, horsetail, black currant, and bamboo. A liquid product made from these herbs is extremely versatile. It offers mild pain relief, is anti-inflammatory, helps remove uric acid, lubricates the joints, and supports joint fluid. Five herbs with five important functions.

But what should you choose for your horse?

Well, that is sometimes the hardest question to answer. Every horse is different, every horse reacts differently, and every problem is different. But generally, we recommend the following:

• For stiffness: herbal extract for the joints
• For joint problems without pain: Silicon and, for example, a quarterly course with a joint supplement
• For joint problems with pain: Silicon and a clove extract, and possibly regular courses with the joint supplement.

For joint problems, it’s about finding the optimal solution for your horse. There are horses with severe arthritis that perform wonderfully with just the joint supplement. But there are also horses that need multiple products to stay comfortable. There isn’t one solution; different combinations are possible. Can’t figure it out? Tell us your situation, and we’ll be happy to help!