The joints in horses

For health and accomplishments, it is very important to keep the joints of your horse flexible and healthy. For both training horses and recreational horses, the joints are important. But the muscles and hooves are important as well for the health of your horse. This is why it is important to keep the joints of your horse in the best condition possible, In this blog, you’ll read more about it.

The anatomy of a joint

The joints are the connection between two bones and make it possible to move. Most joints in horses are flexible and are also known as synovial joints. Both of these ends are lined with cartilage. The cartilage helps to protect the bones which are important due to the weight and power that are put on the bones. Around the joint, you will see the joint capsule and the joint cavity that contains the so-called synovial fluid. This fluid works as a lubricant for the joints.

Joint fluid

The joint cavities contain the synovial fluid. This is a clear substance that is secreted by the synovial membrane and has three different functions. It helps to lubricate the joints, it nourishes the cartilage and it works as a shock absorber for the bones and joints. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most import components of synovia and is essential for healthy and strong cartilage.

Weight problems in horses

The musculoskeletal system has often a hard time. When moving, there are immense powers are put on the joints of the horse. Every part of the joint can endure a certain amount of pressure. A lot of joint problems are caused by overload, wear and tear on the cartilage, inflammation and old age. Read more about arthrosis in horses in this blog!

The maintenance of healthy and flexible joints in horses

Many factors play a part to maintain healthy and flexible joints in horses. Make sure that you have a good diet for your horse and the right balance between movement and rest after exercise. Supplements can also help to improve the joints in horses. This way you help your horse from within to keep the joints flexible and healthy.

Supplements to support the horses joints

There are many different natural substances and herbs that help you to support the joints. We put our favorites in the list below: .

• Glucosamine:A body’s own substance that play a important role for all connective tissue in the body.
• Chondroitin:A body’s own substance that is found in the skin, cartilage, tendons, and connective tissue. This is a main component to build cartilage.
• MSM:A natural source of sulfur and an important connective tissue in cartilage, tendons and joints. MSM forms the main part for the production of new cells and helps to keep the connective tissue elastic and healthy. MSM also helps to absorb nutrients.
• Hyaluronic acid:One of the main components from synovia. It is mainly found in different kinds of bodily tissue and is a component in the skin, cartilage, eyes and synovial fluid.
• Devil’s claw:  The roots of the devil’s claw plant contain two glucoiridoids: procumboside and harpagoside, which can support the horse’s ease of movement. Very suitable for aging horses to support overall mobility.
• Curcuma: The active substance in this plant of curcumin, which is an antioxidant. Curcuma works naturally anti-inflammatory and helps to relief the joints and cartilage.
• Green lipped mussel:  is naturally rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and furan fatty acids. It also contains glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin and glucosamine. All of these are important building blocks for cartilage, bones, connective tissue and tendons.
• Blackberry leaves are naturally rich in powerful antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. The leaves also help to produce the body’s own hormone cortison, which works anti-inflammatory in the body.