Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Benefits Of Equine Bone And Joint Support

By Marci Nielsen


Horses have always captured people's hearts. They are strong, swift, and beautiful in motion. Once free to run over grassy hills, these animals are now used for all sorts of things from pulling heavy loads to excelling at extreme sports. Equine bone and joint support supplements are designed to help keep horses sound and pain-free in spite of the demands placed upon their bodies.

Equine supplements range from single nutrients like biotin to formulas that supply essential vitamins and minerals that may be missing from regular forage. Horses once ranged freely over miles of territory, eating a variety of plants that gave them everything they needed. Now they live in stalls, eating hay that is at most composed of a few types of grass, or else they graze in fenced fields.

Pastures may look like lawns, being seeded with lush grass and mowed frequently to give a well cared for look. Since weeds have a lot of nutrients that grass does not, and things like vitamin E and essential fatty acids are found in seeds, this short grass may be appetizing but nutritionally deficient. Many feeds formulated for horses contain added nutrients for this reason.

Horses put to work are under additional stress. This is where nutrients targeted to keeping bones strong and joints flexible come in. Some of the most familiar nutrients are glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and hyaluronic acid. All of these are natural substances that provide the building blocks for bone, cartilage, and joint fluid.

Equine athletes are in a class by themselves. Racing horses must train hard and compete harder. Jumpers also need constant training and are asked to perform in ways that require great effort and strength. Their legs and feet must lift their huge bodies over obstacles and withstand severe impact with the ground.

Then they land their entire weight on one foot, which must then push that weight off as the rest of the legs and body follow over the jump. The amount of impact, shock, and force involved in this action is almost inconceivable. It's amazing that the legs and hooves of horses can stand this once, let alone over and over.

To help prevent damage and perhaps career-ending lameness, owners and trainers can provide the extra nutrients these athletes need. Specialized formulas are designed to handle daily wear and tear on tissues and keep bones and joints healthy. Some formulas help horses under other stresses, like aging. Arthritis develops in older horses just as it does in humans, but we know now that nutrition can help prevent or delay its development.

Choosing a supplement with ingredients that nourish the bones, tendons, ligaments, and hooves of your horse is one way to keep it comfortable and extend its useful life. Whether you compete or just ride the trails, a happy and pain-free mount is key to enjoyment for you both.




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