When to Offer Joint Supplements to Horses

When should owners start a horse on oral joint supplements to optimize joint health?  Wait until the horse moves stiffly or struggles to stand after lying down? Would it be better to start supplementing when the degenerative changes in the joint first begin and before clinical signs of osteoarthritis are obvious?

“Many owners might not realize they should consider joint health and osteoarthritis in young horses before any permanent damage has been done,” said Peter Huntington, B.V.Sc., M.A.C.V.Sc, director of nutrition at Kentucky Equine Research.

Research shows, however, that prophylactic administration of joint supplements containing ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or hyaluronic acid may delay the onset of osteoarthritis. This means that owners should offer joint supplements to young, healthy horses prior to joint trauma or natural wear and tear.

If joint supplements are not or cannot be administered prophylactically, then these products should be offered as soon as any joint injury is detected.

“Several studies have attempted to diagnose osteoarthritis in the early stages of disease. The goal is to identify degenerative joint changes early so that steps can be taken to slow the progression of this painful, incurable condition,” relayed Huntington.

Researchers recently looked at a special type of genetic material called small noncoding (snc) RNA sequences.^* These short sections of RNA, a companion molecule to DNA, play various roles in determining which proteins will be created from DNA expression or will be rapidly degraded in the joint environment. Alterations in those proteins could contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (e.g., cartilage breakdown, joint inflammation). Further, sncRNAs may also play a role in the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules.

The researchers suggested that sncRNAs measured in synovial fluid during the initial stages of osteoarthritis could serve as early biomarkers for the disease. Early recognition of osteoarthritis would make it easy to implement strategies that could slow its progression and ward off chronic pain.

After analyzing synovial fluid sncRNAs in both healthy and arthritic horses, the scientists concluded that these small molecules could indeed serve as biomarkers with further research. Further analysis of which proteins sncRNAs regulate will also provide valuable insight into the mechanisms responsible for osteoarthritis development.

“This information will also facilitate the research and development of novel therapeutic approaches to osteoarthritis in horses,” concluded Huntington.

To support your horse’s joints, look for research-proven joint supplements.

*Castanheira, C., P. Balaskas, C. Falls, Y Ashraf-Kharaz, P. Clegg, K. Burke, Y. Fang, P. Dyer, T.J.M. Welting, and M.J. Peffers. 2021. Equine synovial fluid small non-coding RNA signatures in early osteoarthritis. BMC Veterinary Research 17(1):26.