Glucosamine For Horses
The nutritional needs of our pets are not something to ignore. Every animal will need different nutrients, just as we humans do— and it is important to be able to deliver these, not only for your pet’s health but so they will be able to perform their jobs properly, too!
There are supplements out there for times when your horse is not receiving enough of a specific nutrient, and there are also supplements that can be more medicinal, treating certain issues that your horse may be dealing with. An example of this is joint pain. There are different supplements out on the market that target joint problems in horses, and the main ingredient in most of these is known as glucosamine.
Glucosamine can be an option if you need to add a supplement to your horse’s diet to fight joint pain or inflammation. Read on to learn more about what glucosamine is and how it can benefit your horse— as well as how much glucosamine your horse actually needs!
What Is Glucosamine?
First things first, what is glucosamine? Glucosamine is a compound that is naturally occurring and already can be found in your horse’s cartilage. Cartilage, of course, is the name for the tough but elastic substance that cushions joints. Glucosamine can either be created in a lab, or it can be harvested from natural sources.
An example of one of these natural sources is the exoskeleton of shellfish. Glucosamine comes in more than one form. It can be found as glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride, for example.
While all forms of glucosamine are effective for reducing joint pain and treating joint inflammation issues, glucosamine sulfate is believed to be the most effective option overall.
What Does Glucosamine Do For Your Horse?
Next comes the question of what glucosamine can do for your horse, now that you are familiar with what the compound actually is. Glucosamine is found as a supplement to treat joint issues, like pain and inflammation. This can be used for humans and for horses, too!
The compound is able to treat the issues, but is not able to solve certain issues like arthritis. Arthritis, for example, is an incurable degeneration.
That being said, it can help alleviate pain and other symptoms of arthritis. Horses commonly suffer from different joint issues, especially as they age, so glucosamine can be a very valuable addition to your horse’s diet.
When your horse consumes joint supplements that contain glucosamine, the glucosamine compound works within your horse’s body to assist in forming other compounds that can then help to create more synovial fluid. The synovial fluid in our bodies, and in our horses’ bodies, is the fluid found between joints. It works to cushion our joints and the tops of the bones during movement, therefore preventing pain and inflammation which can be caused by bones rubbing together and causing friction.
How Much Glucosamine Should You Give Your Horse?
It is important that you give your horse the proper amount of glucosamine when they are suffering from joint issues. After all, if you do not give them enough, it may not have an effect. If you give them too much, though, this could end up having an adverse effect.
There is a general rule of thumb here, and it is recommended that you give your horse 20 milligrams of glucosamine for every kilogram of weight. When it comes to the average horse, then, this would end up being around 2000 milligrams of glucosamine a day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which glucosamine is best for horses?
There are many brands of glucosamine, and there are also different forms of glucosamine. Of course, you will want the best for your horse! Of the different forms of glucosamine that are out there, glucosamine sulfate, either with or without chondroitin, is thought to be the most effective.
Some of the other forms of glucosamine that you may see available are N-Acetyl glucosamine and glucosamine hydrochloride. These are still thought to be effective, but not as effective as glucosamine sulfate is supposed to be.
How much glucosamine do you give a horse?
If you are giving your horse glucosamine, then you will want to be sure that you are giving your equine companion the right dose— not too much, and not too little, either. So, what is the proper dose for a horse?
Many medicines and supplements vary with the amount you are supposed to give a horse, with the amount being proportionate to the animal’s weight. It is recommended that you give a horse about 20 milligrams per kilogram, which, for the average horse, translates to 2000 milligrams a day.
What is the most effective joint supplement for horses?
Many horses suffer from joint issues, which is why it can be important for you to give your horse a joint supplement. Of course, this will still not solve issues such as arthritis or similar issues, as arthritis is an incurable degeneration. Joint supplements can still have an effect on your horse by improving range of motion, mobility, and performance in those horses who are suffering from joint issues.
In joint supplements, the most studied ingredient, and the one thought to be the most effective, is glucosamine. It is known as being the basic building block of all connective tissues in your horse. One of the top supplements in this vein is Adequan.
Is glucosamine safe for horses?
Yes, glucosamine is safe for horses, and it is typically administered in supplements that target joint issues. It is able to treat joint issues and inflammation in horses, as well as in other animals, and humans, too!
One of the ways that glucosamine works to help dial down inflammation and joint issues is that it assists in forming other compounds in your horse’s body, which help to create synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is the thick fluid that is found between joints. It cushions your horse’s bones and reduces the friction that is caused when they move their joints.