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Choosing a joint supplement - opinions appreciated

7K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  WickedNag 
#1 ·
Hello everyone,

I've been helping to rehabilitate a severe neglect case at the barn. He's doing much better (going out on trail rides now!!!!) and his weight and coat are getting better and better. I'm wanting to put him on a joint supplement as he is in his early 20's and didn't have the best of care in his earlier years. He's already on a hoof supplement to help regrow and strengthen the hoof (his feet were horrible when he came in), but since he enjoys being ridden so much I want to extend his rideable years as much as possible. He moves a bit stiffly sometimes so I figured a joint supplement might help him out. I've looked online and found a couple reasonably priced supplements that I like, but I don't have a lot of experiences with joint supplements specifically so I figured I'd see what reviews you folks had.
Here are my picks:

Cosequin Equine Powder
Regenex joint

If you have any other picks, please feel free to add them

Here's a photo of him about 2 months ago: Trooper
 

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#2 ·
I have had great luck with Corta-Flex and Acti-Flex 4000. With the acti-flex, I added extra MSM since it only has 2,000 mgs per-dose and most horses do best on 10,000 mgs.

Look for a supplement that's NASC certified. One with MSM and/or Yucca is good for anti-inflamitory. Glucosamine is good for lubricating joints. You want at least 5,000 mgs per-dose.

Corta-Flex uses natural substances that work like Glucosamine and MSM. It has worked really well for my guys. You need to double it for 5-7 days, then go to the maintanence dose. It's one of the more affordable joint supplements that has a really good following. ValleyVet.com has a deal where you get a free qt when you buy a gallon.
Corta-Flx Solution Chemphar (Equine - Horse Supplements - Joint - Liquid Paste)

Acti-Flex:
Acti-Flex 4000 in Joint Supplements at Schneider Saddlery
 
#4 ·
My best friend has a 18 year old Arabian that was stiff in the hind end. She had a hard time getting up after rolling and if she laid down for any length of time, she could barely walk for the first few strides when she got up. She put her on Corta-Flx pellets and they made a huge difference. The evidence for us that it works is when she has been laying down for a nap, she can now get up without any stiffness or lameness.
 
#6 ·
I have had great success with Cortaflex liquid. However-I would say that no supplement is any good if the horse won't eat it. I would suggest that you call Smartpak. They are great, and will send you numerous samples so that you know that it is palletable to your horse.
 
#7 ·
Don't choose something because it is the "flavor of the month" on any forum.

Choose a product that is pharmaceutical grade without fillers in it.

It will cost more but you will feed less and get better results:)

There are many of those types offerings in today's market, just have to do your reasearch.
 
#8 ·
That is great, but different things in combination work differently on different horses, and again-none of them are any good if they won't eat it. Also-there ARE many, it can get very confusing. It can be helpful to know what is working for other people. There is nothing wrong with asking. It is also a form of research, and not a "flavor of the month" selection. Your statement insinuates that the rest of us are idiots.:?
 
#9 ·
I too agree with contacting SmartPak. Their Consultants are very knowledgeable and can help you get started in the right direction. They aren't pushy, they listen very well, they answer questions asked, and do not make you feel like you have to purchase any product.

Now the issue I have, is that there have been many studdies done on Joint Suppliments oral and IM's, and what concerns me is that the Oral Suppliments fall under the Equine Nutrition category, which means, rules and regulations are not that strict. Soooo, what they say is, due to this, companies can say that "This" and "This" ingredient is in the suppliment, when in reality there isn't. Or they can say that "This much" and "This much" of a dose are in the product, when, the doses are not even close. Etc, etc, etc.

And, also, studdies have been done on how effective the product is after the horse eats it up. The process it has to go through, in order for it to get to the joint...is long and strenuous - and by the time it gets to where it needs to be, only a small amount in compareson to the dose given, only gets there.

So, make sure you do your research and as stated already, make sure the product has the NASC stamp of approval on the product. And understand that oral suppliments are wishy washy. They may work, they may not. You may be spending good money, you may be flushing it down the toilet.

Where, IM's like Adequan, Legend, Polyglycam, Glucosamine - fall under the Equine Medical category, where rules and regulations are very strict and closely followed. So, the product is, what the company states the product is. The ingredients are, exactly what is stated. What the company states the product does, the product does.

I say, get the fellow on an IM. I have my 21 year old TB on Adequan, and the difference was night and day after he got his first dose. His reaction to the first dose, made our decision to not do the loading dose. He gets his IM once a month, and has been doing very well on it. He has arthritus in his hind right hock.

The choice is yours, if you want to go oral, make sure you do your research. I hope all goes well for you and your boy! What you are doing for him, is a great thing!
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the informative post =) I appreciate it, from you and the rest of the posters. Unfortunately, oral is our only option. He doesn't tolerate needles well at all so it would stress him out too much to do anything except an oral supplement. I think I'm going to do some more research to make sure that I'm giving him the best possible chance with the supplement. And I'll do some more looking at smartpak.
 
#13 ·
Injections are the way to go! My vet had his own joint injections formulated. It cost me $350 for a vile and that is 10 injections or $35 a month.. much cheaper than the feed through supplements and very effective. Injections become way cheaper when you can give them yourself and like MIE said.. they are closely regulated. Most of the decent joint supplements are $50 +... injectables are the better value in my opinion. Adequan would be a good start as it is known to rebuild cartilage and can be given IM which are very simple and most horses get over quickly.
 
#14 ·
Walk-I think you thought I was more offended than I was. My point is that some of the "fillers" may make it more palletable and make the difference as to whether or not a horse will take it.

Being a boarder has nothing to do with me liking Smartpak. It has to do with their knowledge, helpfulness, overall customer service, as well as willingness to send numerous samples of product to ensure that you get the one that works for you.

I understand your need to be super careful. Most of us don't have to be quite that aware of everything that enters our horse.

I have seen great results from the injectables also, but unless/until the orals quit working for my guy, I wouldn't put him through that, nor would I want to have to have the vet monthly to administer it. I am of the opinion that there would be greater risk of an infection with any injection as opposed to oral. So, as long as oral works, that will be the solution for me. If I had a show horse, it might be a different story, but still-the nurse in me says that PO is safer.
 
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