Joint supplements

[Debbie]

Back a few years my knees needed help as they kept slipping out of joint, and simply aching......and the doctor said it was all in my head I think I know when my knee's slipped out of joint!!!

Anyway, at the time, I took Glycoflex www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=40973&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=2F717225A08E46B1BFA6E8AC97232DF2 Its made for dogs of pernicula muscle (so green lipped mussel from New Zealand). The most telling thing that I found was that I worked out the doseages for a dog, and then calculated what I needed for my weight.....and then after having great results for almost a year I tried to switch to some human form of the supplement ~ the amount was so greatly reduced that there was NO way it was going to help. So with the humans they truly were going for the placebo affect.

For me, it was probably a month on the Glycoflex before I noticed a marked improvement, but the pain was helped within the first week.

I've not tried or used Glycoflex for horses, but I've noticed that they have come out with a formula just for horses now. www.kvvet.com/KVVet/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=690&gift=False&mscssid=2F717225A08E46B1BFA6E8AC97232DF2 Yummmmm!!! Just looked at the ingredients, and sounds like it would be tempting for a ned...

[merlinalison]

I use Newmarket Joint Supplement for Merlin which is only available through your vet and which is pure Glucosamine Hydrochloride. It's also pretty cost-effective - I pay £112 for a 2.5kg supply which lasts 166 days. THeir website also contains links to some scientific articles. My vet told me not to buy anything with Chondroitin in because it was a waste of money, and to concentrate on glucosamine at the right dosage rate. (THe vast majority of supplements simply don't contain enough active ingredient to be effective.) I think it helps Merlin, and I know of other horses where about 4-5 weeks after starting it people have suddenly started commenting about how much better their action is.

I also know of one horse who is markedly better on liquid cortaflex, but stiff again on any other form of cortaflex.

[akehurstannabel]

Thats prety much what mine said about it. It seems a lot to shell out initially but it does last a long time. I used to use powder cortaflex but she seems better on the newmarket formula. Also trying out Blue Chip Dynamic at the moment as she is pretty knackered joint wise and I thought I could kill two birds with one stone and stop all the probiotics etc by using the balancer.

[SuzieP]

If it turns out that Bea has a touch of arthritis I'm going to get him onto a joint supplement. It looks like the Newmarket formula is a good one - has anyone got anything to add to what has already been said about it?

You can get it here without a prescription I think.

www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=902

[mickey]

Riaflex seems a pretty popular supplement on saddle up at the mo and a few people have had some really good results with the riaflex complete.
Im still to find anything for his lordship that works though but he is a very advanced case.

[SuzieP]

Have you tried this, Emily? If not, they'll send you a 14-day trial pack on request.

www.aviform.co.uk/Store/Equine-Products/SUPPLEAZE-GOLD%E2%84%A2-

[mickey]

No I havent- have just requested a free sample as its free though!!! Ta

[southerner]

I have used Newmarket joint supplement for years and can see the difference when I run out. I have just bought Glucosamine HCL from mile end equine which works out £35 per kilo cheaper than NJS. Lokks , tastes and states same 99.9% pure glucosamine HCL and sell to lots of vets. Advertised so badly its untrue but been looking for a cheaper version for years. Most horses on a supplement around here are on NJS.

[mickey]

How's everyone doing with various joint supps? I put Mickey back on the riaflex- started 3rd tub his week and noticed at the weekend that he does look sounder... whether thats no shoes, ground softer or riaflex Im not sure but I dont think Im imagining it...

[SuzieP]

Bea is doing really well on Synequin. It's ever so expensive, but the insurance is paying it for a year.....then I'll have to decide if I'm going to buy it myself or try something else.

[Deleted]

there are hundreds of different joint suppliments which are all pretty much the same, one which does really work is ExtraFlex HA from feedmark, Delia Weedon's old pony Akehurst primrose can still manage a canter and dont forget a buck round the field with the foal, before she was on ExtraFlex after doing a canter and buck she would be lame the next day for several days, you can see the massive improvment in them and they are so much happier because they are able to so much more