Chondroitin for horses

Chondroitin (or actually chondroitin sulfate) is often mentioned in the same breath as glucosamine and MSM sulfur in horse supplements.

Chondroitin is part of glycosaminoglycans (a polysaccharide) in cartilage, bones, connective tissue, tendons, skin, and blood vessels. It prevents cartilage breakdown, lubricates the joints, and stimulates cartilage production. It has also been shown that Chondroitin has anti-inflammatory and mildly analgesic effects.

Scientific name:

Chondroitin sulfate

Type:

Endogenous building material

Effects of chondroitin in horses:

• Positive influence on joints

• Anti-inflammatory

• Mildly analgesic

Horses produce Chondroitin themselves

Chondroitin is a substance produced by the horse itself. However, due to age or joint problems, it may be chosen to supplement it.

There are many horse supplements on the market that contain chondroitin. Therefore, be selective when choosing a supplement. Only pure chondroitin of more than 90% purity can be absorbed and used by a horse. If it is less pure, the horse will not benefit from it.

Only natural chondroitin can be absorbed by the horse, synthetic form is not absorbable. Cattle and sharks are often used as sources for natural chondroitin. When choosing chondroitin based on cattle, make sure these cattle are BSE free. Often, there are various inexpensive joint supplements on the market, be critical of the chondroitin in these products. It is a valuable ingredient, which is why synthetic (therefore unusable) forms are often used.

If you start feeding chondroitin to your horse, keep in mind that it has an incubation period of 1-2 months before the first effects become visible.