Glucosamine for Arthritis in Horses

Glucosamine for arthritis is a go-to solution for many owners with horses showing symptoms. But, can glucosamine supplementation actually help our horse’s arthritis?

We unraveled whether glucosamine for horses actually works to reduce arthritis symptoms and whether we should be using it alongside quality nutrition, appropriate farriery, and correct exercise management to maintain joint health?

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joint. Showcasing visible symptoms of joint inflammation, with pain, heat and stiffness, arthritis can be classed as acute or chronic. Acute arthritis is the sudden and severe onset of these symptoms within the joint, meanwhile chronic arthritis is the long-term onset of symptoms, common with increasing age.

A common form of arthritis in horses is Osteoarthritis (OA) and refers to a condition that involves progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage, enlargement of the bone margins, and changes in the tissue surrounding the joint capsule. This condition is more common in older horses and is marked by pain and stiffness associated with activity.

Causes of Arthritis

Acute arthritis can be caused by injury, bacterial infection, or viral infections. Meanwhile, chronic arthritis is often OA that results from the cumulative effects of day-to-day activity and stress. Old injuries, joint infections, and years of training and performance can all lead to the development of joint pain and stiffness. In addition, genetics, poor conformation, hoof deformities, and inappropriate care of the hoof are other contributing factors to arthritis development.

Glucosamine For Arthritis

Glucosamine is one of few potential antiarthritic compounds currently available on the equestrian market. It is a naturally occurring, nontoxic substance that has been shown to decrease pain and improve mobility in a number of human osteoarthritic joint studies.

In the lab, experiments have suggested that glucosamine can increase the chemical activity of chondrocytes; a group of cartilage-producing cells. Although, the research to support its potential as an arthritis preventative has not been well documented.

However, glucosamine used as a joint supplement for horses has proven effective, tackling some of the effects of osteoarthritis.

One study has suggested cartilage degradation could be reduced by supplementing glucosamine in horse’s diets. Inhibiting nitric oxide production, a compound found in high levels within disease joints and thought to activate cartilage-degrading enzymes such as metalloproteinases, glucosamine prevents acceleration of the OA and allows time for the cartilage to repair and heal. Therefore it could be suggested that glucosamine has properties of joint protection when supplemented into the horse’s diet.

Improvement in the health of the joint tissue of horses suffering from mild OA has also been hailed as a benefit of glucosamine supplementation. Showing an increase in internal tissue repair markers as well as improvement in the diagnostic images of effected joints, glucosamine seems to work from within to aid the healing of damaged joints.

In addition, other studies have supported glucosamine in tackling osteoarthritic symptoms of pain with continuous supplementation. Horses suffering from mild OA have shown increases in stride length, joint range of motion and duration of the swing phase of their stride after a course of glucosamine supplementation. This suggests glucosamine aiding with a reduction in pain and stiffness, and increasing ease of motion.