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Administration
Board Administrator
Username: admin
Post Number: 765
Registered: 12-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 9:06 am: |   |
This simple experiment found that older horses fed glucosamine and chondroitin containing supplements had more flexion and longer strides about 2 months after beginning supplementation. The fact that the folks evaluating the gaits were unaware an experiment was being conducted leads credence to the results.
DrO
Equine Vet J Suppl. 2006 Aug;(36):622-5.
Double blind investigation of the effects of oral supplementation of combined glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCL) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) on stride characteristics of veteran horses.
Forsyth RK, Brigden CV, Northrop AJ.
Animal and Equine Science Department, Myerscough College, St. Michaels Road, Bilsborrow, Preston, PR3 ORY Lancashire, UK.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Oral chondroprotective supplements are commercially popular for veteran (and other athletic or arthritic) horses prone to joint degeneration, yet lack conclusive scientific support. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effects of an oral joint supplement (combination glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCL), chondroitin sulphate (CS) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) in vivo on stride parameters of veteran horses. METHODS: Twenty veteran horses were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 15) or placebo group (n = 5). Pre-treatment gait characteristics were recorded at trot using digital video footage (50 Hz). The range of joint motion, stride length, and swing and stance duration were assessed using 2-dimensional motion analysis. Treatment (or placebo) was administered daily for 12 weeks at the manufacturer's recommended dosage. Gait was reassessed every 4 weeks using the pre-treatment protocol. Double blind procedure was implemented throughout. Relationships between variables were analysed using General Linear Model. RESULTS: Differences occurred in the treated horses by week 8. Range of joint motion increased significantly in the elbow (P<0.05), stifle and hind fetlock (P<0.01). Stride length increased significantly (P<0.05) with treatment. Swing duration was significantly increased at week 12 (P<0.05), whilst stance duration remained constant. CONCLUSION: The oral chondroprotective offered symptomatic relief to veteran horses, evidenced by improved stride characteristics. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Oral GHCL and CS supplementation may improve welfare by alleviating symptoms of degenerative joint disease. |
cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 440
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 12:03 pm: | |
It is good to know it was not just my hopeful heart seeing so much improvement in my arab. Cindy |
Alicia Kost
Member
Username: aannk
Post Number: 699
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 12:39 pm: | |
Dr. O.,
So what dosage and form are now recommended? I would like to start my mare up on this again, but want to use the most cost effective form. She currently gets HA acid and is doing well with that, but if this works as well, I would love to add it back.
Alicia |
Alicia Kost
Member
Username: aannk
Post Number: 700
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 12:40 pm: | |
Also, sorry forgot to ask. At what age is it now recommended to start supplementing? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 18212
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 7:38 am: | |
Alicia, the article addresses dosage and indications for supplementation.
DrO |
Alicia Kost
Member
Username: aannk
Post Number: 701
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 1:02 pm: | |
I scanned it and easily found the dosage. I did not easily find whether to use it on young horses to prevent problems. What is your personal opinion on this? I lean towards not using it, but if there is new evidence using it without any predisposing conditions helps in the long run, I will bite the bullet.
Alicia |
Carol T-D
Member
Username: caroltd
Post Number: 43
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 - 1:26 pm: | |
OK, I'm going to look like a real dope here, but how do I access the actual article? Or is it not available? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 18229
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 6:00 am: | |
Alicia check out the summary of findings in the article.
Carol, to read our whole article on Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and their use in Arthritis click on the title in the navigation bar above. If you are inquiring about the summary, we do have permission to reprint the whole article so you must access it through the folks who publish the Equine Veterinary Journal.
DrO |
Alicia Kost
Member
Username: aannk
Post Number: 702
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 10:42 am: | |
I still can't find anything. Can't you just tell me whether it is suggested to start horses with no damage or not?
Alicia |
cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 448
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 2:05 pm: | |
Alicia, I will tell you what my vet said. Each brand comes with a pre-measured despenser,usually 2oz it maybe a scoop or at top of bottle where you squeeze in the correct amount!Once a day unless a "loading" period is called for. My vet had told me to wait until early signs developed and not to use as a preventive product.If you go to a good feed store read all the products as they all vary slightly in what other ingredients are present. Next Level comes in pellet form but that has alfalfa in it and is a no no here so I use liquid. Now that it is clear as mud DrO can better I'm sure, Best of luck Cindy |
Sharon
Member
Username: shanson
Post Number: 86
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 5:00 pm: | |
Any have recommendations on most economical brand of and source for this supplement? And, what does it run roughly per month for a 1,000 lb horse? |
Sharon
Member
Username: shanson
Post Number: 87
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 5:04 pm: | |
Any have recommendations on most economical brand of and source for this supplement? And, what does it run roughly per month for a 1,000 lb horse? |
Joanie Davison
Member
Username: jd1947
Post Number: 144
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 8:59 pm: | |
I would also like to have some members post what brand they use and how their horses improoved.
There are so many to choose from...maybe Dr.O would go out on a limb and give us a few brand names. as for the does, I assume you'd use what the manufacturer recomends?
Thanks |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 18241
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 - 10:26 pm: | |
We have had these discussions before guys. I avoid posting brands, dosages, and recommendations, particularly on iffy subjects because this information and brand formulations change. While the articles are edited and updated on a daily basis, we do not have the resources to constantly update the discussions.
Alicia, you will find that information in the article under The Evidence of Efficacy subtopic, fourth bullet point. With thousands of daily visits from members in search of information my time to help each member is limited. We try to offer this service for pennies a day but that is possible onley because 95% of our members find the information they need without having to post on any given day. When folks cannot find the information or the information is not clear, I want them to post. But if members start demanding I look up every sentence in a specified article on the site, this site will discontinue to exist.
DrO |
katrina
Member
Username: kthorse
Post Number: 836
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 7:06 am: | |
I am trying recovery EQ will let you know how it goes. It has one of the highest amounts and was recomended to me by my trimmer who has seen good results with it. |
Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1
Post Number: 1142
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 8:29 am: | |
I had success with Aniflex Complete. It has glucosamine, chondroitin, and HA. |
Carol T-D
Member
Username: caroltd
Post Number: 44
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 8:37 am: | |
Everyone:
I use Senior Flex and Hylamotion (HA) for my two senior horses. I believe the products have made a difference in the mares' flexibity and brought pain relief. The youngest of the two mares has always been pretty stiff in the right rear...having to stretch extra long in the morning before she moves out. I've noticed that she no longer does this. I also don't hear her "clicking". The other mare is very senior and is on bute as well as the two joint supplements. I believe the same is true of her. She is moving easier and not clicking nearly as much as she used to.
My kids use a product called SmartFlex Senior for their Percheron cross geldings. Although the boys are young the concern is that heavy use will cause damage. The SmartFlex Senior product has both Chondro and Glucosime(spl?) plus HA in it. Our vet told us that we would not be hurting them by using the product now before we saw damage.
Hope this helps.
Carol |
Alicia Kost
Member
Username: aannk
Post Number: 703
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 1:19 pm: | |
The smartpak website has a joint supplement comparison page that is very helpful. Based on that http://www.smartpakequine.com/JointCompare.aspx , I chose tri sport as it had the most of the two compunds in question for the least amount per day.
Alicia |
Diane Edmonds
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 844
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 2:16 pm: | |
The only one I have used that Seems to make a difference with my old mare is Actiflex 4000. I have tried quite a few of them including cortaflex and the animed product to name a few. A gallon lasted 4.5 mos. and right now they are giving a free quart with it. It cost less than $100 with shipping and seems to have all the ingredients needed.
http://www.coxvetlab.com/products.asp |
Ann
Member
Username: dres
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 2:38 pm: | |
Horse tech , TriSport will make a compound to your needs .. I have them make me up the Trisport package but add more Glucosamine then the 10,000mg they have per feeding.. I did not want more of the MSM and other additives so feeding my horses 3 scoops was over kill in my book.. They are a great company to work with, you can tell them we told you that if you contact em.. 
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Margy
Member
Username: annaspop
Post Number: 30
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 4:01 pm: | |
They don't charge for custom mixes, and they send cookies for the humans.http://www.horsetech.com/
M |
