Equine Advice

Stiff joints and inflammation are not uncommon in most horses, especially those which are a bit older, and still in work⁹. The majority of these symptoms are seen in the knee or fetlock⁷,⁸ as these are the main joints expected to withstand the impact and movement of exercise⁹. As exercise intensifies, so does the wear and tear of the joints. Whilst the body can repair on its own, with age, this process becomes less efficient², and therefore symptoms can linger and worsen. These symptoms can be caused by a range of things, from general exercise to injuries or arthritis ¹, ³. The important thing is to notice them and act quickly to prevent them from developing any further. There are many supplements on the market to help alleviate the potential pain and discomfort from these symptoms, however selecting the correct one can be difficult.

The most common product on the market for treating recent injuries and inflammation is Bute (Phenylbutazone). However, this must be given by a vet and can be expensive. It can also have some associated risks if used for long term treatment¹³. As industry experts have learnt more about the equine limb, and consumers have sort more natural remedies, suitable alternatives have been discovered. Specifically, glucosamine, and turmeric.

Glucosamine (GS) is a compound that is often supplemented to horses in intensive work or older horses. It is naturally found in all joints, but when supplemented, it can aid in the development of new joint cartilage, as well as reduced joint pain and inflammation².

Turmeric, which is a common spice from plant roots, is another effective product. It is the active ingredient within turmeric, curcumin, that has been proven a safe and effective remedy for many things in both animals and humans, including alleviating joint pain, and skin irritations5. One study found that just 10 days of supplementation of curcumin resulted in visibly happier and more mobile horses¹⁰

Furthermore, it has been found that supplementing cracked black pepper, and linseed oil with curcumin is beneficial. The active ingredient of cracked black pepper has been found to increase the bioavailability of curcumin by 2000%, whilst the linseed oil helps with absorption into the bloodstream. ⁶, ¹⁰, ¹¹. Cracked pepper also has anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.6.

Providing your horse with supplements can often be time-consuming, and complicated. It can be even more difficult if your horse doesn’t typically receive a daily supplemental feed. An ideal way to get supplements into your horse is via a molasses lick block in the paddock.

The SealesWinslow EquiVigor Molasses Block is an ideal option for this. Formulated to provide a safe daily dose of glucosamine, turmeric, cracked pepper and linseed oil, this product is designed to aid in the rest and recovery of your horse each day, without the fuss. This block can be left in the paddock rain or shine and delivers not only the above naturally occurring medicinal products, but also contains minerals, trace elements, and vitamins for your horse’s overall health. Care should be taken when feeding with other mineralised feeds due to selenium content.