When we think about supplements for our horses’ health and well-being we often automatically go for horse joint supplements to aid in suppleness and flexibility. Our horse’s bodies consist of 205 bones in total and taking care of the joints is just the tip of the iceberg.
General bone health is important, particularly for yearlings, foals, broodmares, and horses in training. Bone support supplements can be an ideal way to aid in growing strong bones and athletic longevity.
Let’s take a closer look at the Dodson and Horrell Bone Support Supplement.
Who are Dodson and Horrell?
Dodson and Horrell are a very well known, trusted brand of equestrian feed and supplements that have been on the market for over 80 years. You are probably familiar with the brand already and are considered to be leaders in the equestrian field.
Their aim is to make the finest products money can buy and set themselves out to be the most trusted provider. They believe that every equine should get the best possible combination and balance of nutrients and supplements, which helps to fuel performance and allow your horse to lead a healthy and happy life.
What does Dodson and Horrell Bone Support do?
Bone Support Supplements are an important addition to your horse’s diet and help to maximize healthy bone function. Dodson and Horrell Bone Support Supplements specifically help to support the remodeling process and strengthen the leg bones through remineralization. They are ideal for yearlings and foals whose bones are still going through the growing stage and can be particularly helpful for horses in training.
Ingredients
It’s always important to look very closely at the packaging for supplements to get a good idea of what ingredients are included in the formula. This will give you the very best indication of how well the supplement may work. There are 5 key ingredients used in the Dodson and Horrell Bone Support Supplements that should be considered.
Vitamin K3
Vitamin K is essential for your horse’s health. It is stored within the body fat and can be converted to be water-soluble and housed in the liver. Most Vitamin K in your horse’s diet comes from forage and it is therefore very rare for a deficiency to be present. This ingredient supports capillary health, efficient blood clotting, and strong bones.
Vitamin K3, otherwise known as Menadione, in particular, is a synthetic version that can be absorbed by both the colon and the small intestine. It is metabolized in the same way as natural vitamin K.
Although very little research has been carried out on the effects of vitamin K in horses it is said to have a positive effect on bone density and leads to fewer fractures.
Silica
Silica is often an overlooked supplemental ingredient that has proven to develop bone growth and development in horses. Scientific research has shown that certain types of Silica are much more bioavailable in horses than others, however, in this particular supplement, the type is unknown.
Silica is known to support skeletal growth and can be particularly useful for performance horses as it can help to decrease the risk of injuries.
Marine Alga
The primary function of Marine Alga is to increase calcium uptake and fixation. Calcium, as we all know, is vital for strong and healthy bones. It is an ingredient commonly used in supplements for young stock as it helps to optimize bone materialization and is great support for mares during the first 3 months of gestation and first 3 months of lactation.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for strong bones and teeth and is responsible for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It is not so common for horses to experience a Vitamin D deficiency however a shortfall can lead to rickets in young horses and osteomalacia in older horses. These conditions can result in the calcium being withdrawn from the bones causing them to soften and weaken over time.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Evidence has shown that a source of Omega 3 in your horse’s diet can influence bone health. Omega 3 fatty acids can be particularly helpful for horses that suffer from joint problems and has a central role in the maintenance of a healthy body and bones. Data has shown a very beneficial effect on using Omega 3 in supplements in regards to bone metabolism and bone and joint diseases.
Conclusion
Overall the Dodson and Horrell Bone Support Supplement show a good mix of ingredients that are highly beneficial for your horse’s bone and joint function. We like that every key ingredient is relevant and there appear to be no unnecessary added extras put into the formula.
This is a very popular brand with a good track record of providing the very best horse supplements on the market. A trusted brand that customers seem to return to time and time again. The positive reviews speak for themselves and we think this could be a great addition to your horse’s diet.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.