As a horse owner, you know it better than anyone. Horses' joints are a sensitive topic. Many owners do everything possible to keep the muscles and joints in top condition. Of course it is important to have a good and dosed training schedule for this and also the hooves have an important influence on the muscles and joints.

Finally, not to forget the nutrition. You can supplement the daily diet with supplements, but how do they work and what can they offer your horse's joints? We are happy to tell you more.

Choosing whether to use a supplement for joint support depends entirely on your horse's situation. Supplements usually come up when there is a problem, such as stiffness or with injuries. But there are many situations where you actually give a supplement to prevent these types of problems. Supplements to protect the joints and keep them healthy can actually be very valuable in the following situations:

• Growth; The foundation of the joints is based during the growth. From a good foundation, the horse will enjoy its entire life. This even begins in the mare's belly during pregnancy, where tissues are formed. Supplements can make a valuable contribution here.
• (Heavy) performance; When delivering heavy performance, the joints endures extra pressure. Pressure is put on the joints and free radicals are formed in the body when overloaded. This also affects the joint fluid. Supplements can help protect against free radicals.
• Aging; The longer your horse's joints stay healthy the longer you can be active together. All joints wear out as your horse ages. By supporting your horse with a supplement you keep the joints healthy longer.
• Recovery from injury; If your horse has an injury, it is wise to promote recovery with a supplement. Supplements can help stimulate the body's own cartilage components and make a positive contribution to reducing pain.

There are supplements that are based on one specific ingredient and supplements that contain a complex of different ingredients.

If it has been determined by an expert that your horse is truly deficient in 1 specific ingredient, a supplement containing that specific ingredient may be a solution for your horse.

In general, different ingredients are the best choice. Ingredients can complement each other in action and in some specific cases even reinforce each other.

Supplements come in different forms. It is often said that liquid supplements are better absorbed by the horse. Often this is true. It is also often easier to administer, but the form is not sacred....

It is important to look at the origin and properties of the ingredients. After all, just the ingredient does not say everything. For example, ingredients can be pre-processed for better absorption.

PrimeVal Gelatinaat® powder, for example, contains hydrolyzed collagen. Through this specific production process (hydrolysis) in which the collagen is split into smaller pieces, the absorption is increased. However, all amino acids retain powerful effects. After hydrolysis, they can immediately do their work in the various tissues. Within 12 hours, 95% of the Gelatinate powder taken is absorbed into the body, which is exceptionally high. So delve carefully into a supplement before choosing its form.

Is your horse a master at avoiding eating a powder supplement? Then try adding the powder to the concentrate in combination PrimeVal Omega 3-6-9 oil. Very tastefull and another bonus for a shiny coat.

When you start looking into supplements for joints, you fall from one ingredient into another. The important thing is to see what suits your horse and to know which ingredient supports in which way. We list several for you:

• Collagen Type I
  Collagen Type I is a building material for tissues and joints. Also, Collagen Type I stimulates the body's own production of cartilage components (proteoglycans, collagen) It is found naturally in skin, bones, cartilage, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, hair, hooves. It can promote cushioning and lubrication in joints and protect cartilage. Collagen type I is also an important building material in the coat and hooves. 
• Collagen Type II
  Collagen Type II reduces the breakdown of collagen in cartilage and may make a positive contribution to pain conditions. It is found naturally in the intervertebral discs, ribs, nose, larynx, trachea and trachea branch. When cartilage is damaged (in joints, for example), the body responds with an inflammatory response. In scientific research, collagen type II has been shown to make a positive contribution to helping reduce swelling and pain associated with inflammation. A reduction in swelling and pain has a positive impact on the horse's mobility.
• Calcium
  Calcium contributes to bone structure and supports the musculoskeletal system.During growth, calcium is a very important building material. In young horses, calcium deficiency can lead to musculoskeletal abnormalities. Joint abnormalities, growth retardation or weaker bones are examples of this.
• Hyaluronic acid
  Hyaluronic acid injections are used humanely with success in arthritis of the knee. The successful effect is expected to be achieved by improving the quality of synovial fluid, stimulating the production of new cartilage and having an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Based on this successful therapy in humans, it is also being used in horses as a dietary supplement.
• Silicon
  Urtica Dioca (Nettle) contains unique properties that can provide support in the area of joints. Nettle contains a high level of silicon. Silicon has a beneficial effect on tendons, muscles, bones and cartilage. As a result, it provides support for sprains and joint problems.It also maintains supple joints and healthy cartilage. In addition, nettle supports the horse's immune system.
• Glucosamine
  Has an important function in the construction of cartilage. It stimulates, as it were, the production of cartilage. In addition, it helps keep the joints healthy.
• Chondroitin
  Chondroitin has an inhibiting effect on the breakdown of cartilage. In combination with glucosamine, which stimulates the build-up, it is a valuable supplement for the joints.

Studies have been done on the effect of building cartilage when collagen is used.

These studies have been conducted in both humans and animals. All clinical studies show positive effects of collagen hydrolysate type II on joint health for example:

• Significant reduction in pain
• Reduced need for painkillers
• Improvement in mobility, decrease in lameness and stiffness

Source 1) Oesser S, Haggenmüller D, Schulze CH, Collagen hydrolysate modulates the extracellular matrix metabolism of human chondrocytes. Poster presented at EULAR 2006; June 21-24, 2006; Amsterdam.