Protecting your horse’s joints is a top priority. The most frequent cause of the inability to work and early retirement is joint problems. Horses at all levels of work – top competitors, young horses in training, horses in light work, or older horses enjoying retirement – benefit from joint support to maximize work capacity, length of working career, performance, and quality of life.
Protecting your horse’s joints is a top priority. The most frequent cause of the inability to work and early retirement is joint problems. Horses at all levels of work – top competitors, young horses in training, horses in light work, or older horses enjoying retirement – benefit from joint support to maximize work capacity, length of working career, performance, and quality of life.
The most powerful approach to joint support uses nutrients that simultaneously target multiple aspects of joint health. On the inside of the horse, the result of this synergy is reduced inflammation, optimum cartilage quality and lubrication, tendons and ligaments that are strong and flexible, and excellent hoof quality. On the outside of the horse, owners notice increased fluidity of motion, better range of motion, more efficient and powerful movements because of better posture, greater exercise tolerance and faster exercise recovery, and greater willingness to work – and to work well.
We offer several options to achieve these benefits. First, we suggest that you start with Core Complete – a full-body nutritional supplement that supports every system in the horse’s body – including every aspect of joint health. Complete is unlike any other supplement on the market because it is “complete.” Horses need to eat certain nutrients daily. These nutrients include key amino acids and specific vitamins and minerals that are deficient in hay, grass, and most feeds. These foundation nutrients are required to optimize overall health and they all affect joint health specifically. All of these needs are covered by Complete – in addition to focused support for joint health.
How does Core Complete support joint health?
Essential amino acids
Protein is made of up building blocks called amino acids. Amino acids have many functions in the equine body, including providing raw materials to make key structures, protecting the gastrointestinal tract, supporting and activating the immune system, enhancing blood flow for nutrient and oxygen delivery, and mobilizing energy to support exercise and performance. Amino acids are either non-essential or essential. Non-essential amino acids can be made by the horse’s body but essential amino acids must be fed because the horse’s body cannot make them. Of the essential amino acids, three are critical: lysine, methionine, and threonine. These three amino acids are referred to as rate-limiting, meaning that without them the horse’s ability to use ALL amino acids is compromised. As a result, all body systems will suffer. These amino acids are typically deficient in hay and grass and many feeds and must be supplemented. Core Complete contains these three critical amino acids as well as eight additional essential amino acids.
With regard to joint health, the amino acids in Core Complete:
- Support the formation of collagen and elastin which are needed to make and repair all connective tissues, including cartilage, tendons, and ligaments
- Support the formation of keratin which is required for hoof structures
- Support blood flow to all structures, enhancing nutrient and oxygen delivery and flushing inflammation out of joint structures to prevent damage, reduce soreness, and improve exercise tolerance and exercise recovery.
| Nutrient | Core Complete |
|---|---|
| Amino Acids | |
| Lysine | Included |
| Methionine | Included |
| Threonine | Included |
| Arginine | Included |
| Leucine | Included |
| Minerals | |
| Copper | Included |
| Zinc | Included |
| Manganese | Included |
| Selenium | Included |
| Sulfur | Included |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A | Included |
| Vitamin E | Included |
| Vitamin D | Included |
Bioavailable minerals
Horses need specific minerals to make, maintain, and repair all joint-related tissues. These include the trace minerals copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium as well as the macro-mineral sulfur.
Copper is required to make, to maintain, and to repair ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and the skeleton. It also adds strength to collagen and to the outer hoof wall. Zinc maintains the integrity of all joint structures as well as the hoof wall, the blood vessels that supply the foot, and other internal foot structures. Zinc is critical for the enzymes that make collagen, keratin, and the “cement” that holds together the cells of the hoof horn. It (as well as copper) is critical for the synthesis of the enzyme that protects the joint structure from inflammatory destruction and prevents the breakdown of fats and oils in the hoof, maintaining a protective seal (superoxide dismutase). Manganese is required to make chondroitin sulfate which is used to form, maintain and repair cartilage. It also maintains all bony structures, including the critical weight-bearing bones of the foot. It is needed to maintain all tendons and ligaments. Selenium is required for a key enzyme that protects all cells from damage (glutathione peroxidase), including those in tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Sulfur is needed to make the collagen needed for tendons, ligaments and cartilage for all internal foot structures. It also is needed to make the keratin that makes up the hoof horn; it is contained in the amino acid methionine.
Joint-supportive vitamins
The anti-oxidant vitamins A, C, and E support joint health by managing full body oxidative stress that damages all joint structures – cartilage, tendons, and ligaments – when not controlled. Oxidative stress occurs with exercise, training, and performance. Vitamin C has the additional important role of supporting collagen repair and formation. The powerful bone-protecting vitamin D also is included in Complete to maintain bone density.
Core Complete contains ALL of these foundational nutrients.
Joint-specific nutrients
In addition, Core Complete contains FIVE specific joint-supportive and joint-protective nutrients of glucosamine, chondroitin, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), hyaluronic acid, and silicon. Glucosamine is used to make cartilage, joint fluid, vertebral discs, and other joint-related soft tissues. Chondroitin is needed to make cartilage and to control inflammation. MSM has extensive, well-supported actions that include improving exercise recovery, decreasing exercise-induced inflammation, reducing pain, improving joint mobility, and improving gait smoothness and stride length. Hyaluronic acid thickens synovial fluid, the fluid within joints that provides lubrication, and helps cartilage, tendons, and ligaments maintain elasticity and strength. Bioavailable silicon helps to maintain bone strength and density, prevent injuries from exercise stress, and promote bone maintenance and repairs.
The equine stifle – a remarkable structure of bone, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage – all must be supported to maintain comfort and performance (image from https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/dont-be-stopped-stifle-injury/)
In addition to the full-body support offered by Complete that meets your horse’s foundational nutrient needs as well as key nutrient needs for joint health, we offer targeted support: Core Motion Plus.
Core Motion Plus is formulated to support the horse who needs extra joint support. It contains the highly effective nutrient hyaluronic acid (HA). HA thickens synovial fluid. Thicker synovial fluid means better lubrication, improving comfort and reducing the likelihood of injury. It also reduces swelling, decreases inflammation, and improves the strength and elasticity of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Oral dosing of HA has been shown to be as effective as injections directly into the joints. Core Motion Plus provides 200 mg per dose – one of the highest concentrations available on the market. An additional benefit of HA is that it supports a healthy gastrointestinal lining, healthy skin, and a healthy coat. In addition to the benefits of HA there are five joint-protective ingredients; glucosamine, MSM, natural vitamin E, curcumin, and bioperine. Glucosamine is needed to make and repair all joint-related soft tissues – cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. MSM has extensively documented inflammation-controlling and joint-protecting actions. Vitamin E protects joint tissues through its anti-oxidant actions that buffer the destructive actions of inflammation. Curcumin is the most potent anti-inflammatory compound in turmeric – a widely used and well-studied herb in horses. Bioperine, a black pepper extract, enhances the bioavailability of curcumin, allowing the horse to access the full benefits of this powerful compound.
What is the best strategy to support your horse’s joints?
The answer depends on your horse’s needs.
Core Complete supports full body health, including joint health. In many horses, Complete provides enough benefit that an additional joint supplement is not needed. In horses without documented joint issues, Complete will have a protective effect. Core Motion Plus offers the additional joint-specific benefits. It can be used alone or with Core Complete. Horses in moderate work or with known joint issues will benefit from Core Motion Plus. Maximum benefits will occur when Core Motion Plus is combined with Core Complete.
Not sure which strategy is the best choice for your horse? Our on-staff equine nutritionist and dedicated sales representatives are here to help! Contact us today to discuss your horse’s specific needs, and we will guide you to select the perfect Core Balance product(s) to support optimal joint health and overall well-being for your horse.
