Joint Supplements - Prevention or Cure

[Bertie]

After reading Kelly11's thread about cortaflex supplement, it sparked me to ask my fellow NR's about joint supplements. I have been mulling over whether to broach the subject with the owner of my share about adding joint supplement to her feed.

She is 17-year old mare who suffers with Lami, sweet itch and is good doer :D I was thinking that although she currently has no problems with her joints that prevention is better than cure. What about adding a cod liver oil supplement to her feed, she's currently on Happy hoof twice a day, I know that has added extras in but not sure what those are :confused:

Do you think that by mentioning it I would look pushy, I'm just thinking that she is doing more know I'm riding her and I want to make sure she's getting what she needs. I'm not trying to claim ownership or dictate to the owner about what and how she should feed it was simply a thought that had crossed my mind.

So is it a good thought I should mention?? And if so what kind of supplements would you reccomend??

[becs]

I understand that the "glucosamine & chondroitin" supplement (eg Cortaflex) is given primarily for prevention / maintenance rather than cure. As there's on-going growth & repair, it's hard to draw the line really, but I think it's considered better to start before they really need it (and this isn't just a manufacturers' push!).

[kelly11]

i was advised that oil is quiet fatty so as she is lamintic same as my twinkle i would say no to any oil twinkle is also on Lami-guard and i have seen great improvements in her feet would def recommend that
http://www.equine-america.co.uk/docs/equineamerica_uk_catalogue.pdf
to look at cortaflex and the lami-gaurd

[Bertie]

Thanks Kelly, I've taken a look at the Cortaflex and saw the Lami gaurd as well actually, which I thought must look at that a bit more. I've also looked at the Global Herb web-site and seen a few of their products Movefree (in powder & liquid formats), Tendoneaze, Glascoumine powder.

As it is a maintainence or prevention process I'm looking for I not sure of which would be the best route to go down and might e-mail both companies and see what there advice is.

[Jessey]

Prevention is a good way to go, Cortaflex is meant to be good stuff (even my vet recomends it) but I think its a lot of money to speand on something that she probably/maybe won't use the goodness out of.
Personally I would only start to give something like that when there is an obvious need for it ie stiffness
In the mean time, I would opt for Apple Cider Vinegar, its great for number of ailments, many of which effect older horses so is a good all round supplement. I also think its a bit more natural for a horse to eat that rather than animal bi-products (cod liver oil).

Re suggesting it to the owner, I think mentioning it to her in conversation that it had crossed your mind would be fine as it just sounds like you are looking out for her but anything along the lines of 'I think you should....' would not be appropriate. Don't be put off if the owner doesn't want to, it may be just that she doesn't see it as nec. or she can't afford it or something.

J x

[tubby]

Do check that whatever you get has not got glucosamine in it, as glucosamine can bring on laminitis in susceptable horses.

[becs]

glucosamine can bring on laminitis in susceptable horses. I didn't know that, tubby. Where did you hear / read this?

[tubby]

Jackie Taylor of the Metabolic Horse is very definate about this,not worth the risk if your horse is laminitic.

[Giveitago]

to add, Cortaflex did wonders for my Dales mare who had a fetlock rotation- 6 months rest, Help from Gavin Scofield -then 3 months Cortaflex and she's good as new- small jumps too!!

[becs]

I emailled Equine America re safety of Cortaflex for laminitics and they replied;

There is no Glucosamine contained in Cortaflex only the key active isolates.
Cortaflex is 100% safe for the laminitic pony.

[Siogfinsceal]

shes getting on a bit so good idea to add some oils such as cod liver or even vegetable oil. This will help to lubricate her joints and will also help her coat. As she suffers from sweet itch I would def be adding garlic to her food - the odour comes out through the pores and can help to repel flies. An msm/chrondritin/glucosamine supplement is no harm either it will enhance the repair of the joints and minimise the risk of problems down the line

Cider vinegar is also good. many problems such as ring bone, arthritis/side bone etc are caused by calcification of the joints. calcium deposits attach to the joints making them sharp and this causes pain/lameness when the tendon runs along these joints. calcium is basic - cider vinegar is acidic so its a great supplement for breking down these deposits before they cause harm

[martini55]

I emailled Equine America re safety of Cortaflex for laminitics and they replied;

There is no Glucosamine contained in Cortaflex only the key active isolates.
Cortaflex is 100% safe for the laminitic pony.

Thanks for that becs, I got a bit worried there as I give cortaflex to my laminitic.

[Bertie]

Thanks everybody, I might go around a few of the web-sites and have a look up and reaserach some glascoumine free products.

I think I will subtley drop it into conversation through talking about a fellow yard friends horse, he's suffering terribly with stiffness at the moment so might be a good way to broach the subject, I was also going to offer to pay for it as well.