The Truth about Horse Joint Supplements (Part 1)
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Let’s face it – today’s horse-owners are inundated with information regarding horse supplements. When it comes to choosing the product that is best for your horse, from specific supplements, to key ingredients to delivery systems, every product on the market wants to tell you why they are better, faster, and healthier and made with ingredients that are superior to the rest. Just a few years ago there were about a half-dozen joint supplements on the market. Today there are well over 200 in the United States, with more cramming onto the shelves every month. The question is, why do certain manufacturers see the need to continuously introduce new remedies for the same problems? Are these manufacturers more interested in moving product, or giving you what’s best for your horse? They certainly won’t answer that question, but hopefully with the help of this guide, you’ll become informed enough to draw your own conclusions. What follows is a breakdown of the joint supplement market – first by ingredients, then by delivery systems and, in both, taking a look at claims present in today’s current marketplace. At Grand Meadows, we would like to think our reputation for integrity, intensive research and ethics precedes us, and where appropriate we will interject information as it relates to our specific products. However, the point of this article is to serve as an objective guide to you, the horse-owner. For that reason, we will separate information specific to Grand Meadows products, leaving you with an unbiased point of view.
GLUCOSAMINE
If you’re familiar at all with horse supplements, chances are you’ve come across Glucosamine. The predominant ingredient in joint products for the past several years, Glucosamine is derived from “chitin” – which in turn is derived mainly from shrimp and crab shells. Glucosamine helps keep joints and cartilage lubricated, as well as stimulating the substances necessary for the formation of joint tissue, called glycosaminoglycans, key structural components in cartilage that line the joints. This is important because as a horse’s body ages or is subjected to punishing riding disciplines, it may not produce a sufficient amount of Glucosamine. This can result in cartilage that loses its ability to act as a shock absorber in the joints. The joints then become stiff and painful, resulting in a limited range of motion and even deformation. Glucosamine is the most widely researched of the many “nutraceutical” ingredients. Absorption and efficacy studies have shown it to be highly effective when administered orally to horses. Numerous university studies, most notably, Professor Setnikar, University of Rome Pharmokinetics of Glucosamine, conducted research which determined that “…tissue distribution and excretion patterns were consistent with those found after intravenous administration,” meaning the ingredient was absorbed very efficiently in the horse’s gastrointestinal system, in the range of 96-98%.
GLUCOSAMINE: THE GRAND MEADOWS POINT OF VIEW:
Grand Flex was the first Glucosamine based product on the market in the United States in 1994 and quickly became readily available through tack stores, catalogs and the like. Grand Flex produced effective results and benefited thousands of horses and dogs with a well researched formula that combines Glucosamine HCL (not Sulfate) with important co-factors
to promote optimal joint function and mobility while supporting the repair of existing joint damage and long-term joint health. Through the mad rush of changes to formulas, introduction of new products and ingredients by other manufacturers of equine joint supplements, the original Grand Flex formula has never changed. We have introduced new joint care formulas that now include additional scientifically researched and proven ingredients all based on the original Grand Flex formula.
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About the Author
Alex has been involved in the pet industry for over 20 years. Starting in a partnership of a full line pet store, until he opened his own store and expended it to 3 locations. His involvement and sponsorship of various pet clubs as well as donations to a variety of rescue organizations, has helped a number of pets and their owners to enjoy a long lasting relationship. As the result, his extensive experience and knowledge of animals and pet supplies is shared through these articles.
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