Do you think youngsters need joint supplements?

[Debbie]

With Blossom's stifle locking, someone instantly asked if I had her on joint supplements ~ and almost had an accusing tone when I told them no. I figured it was a growth thing, but didn't think the joint supplement would do much for her.....

Am I wrong? Do you think youngsters (Blossom's just turned one) should have supplements because of growth spurts???

[jet]

No Debbie ,I don' think you're wrong at all. Blossom will come right as she develops muscle around the joint as she grows. I would have thought it would cause more probs giving her joint supplements so early in her growing stages.

[akehurstannabel]

It has never occurred to me to give joint supplements to a youngster. Maybe if it had shot up and was overloading it's joints, but certainly not for a locking stifle. Any I have known have grown out of it quite quickly.

[Debbie]

Phew! Thanks for the reassurance gals I didn't think it would be the right thing to do, but didn't want to not give her a supplement if she needed it. Somehow things got complicated while I was away from horses ;D

[akehurstannabel]

I think as well that when something goes slightly wrong (and I am very guilty of this!) the temptation is to throw money at it and I really think that some manufacturers feed off owners anxieties. In the past a lot more time was given for injuries and problems and I believe that this tends to be missing in todays society. People seem to look for a quick fix, whereas in reality time often gives a better outcome. I think as horse owners we are also constantly bombarded with the latest thing that our horses can't live without! I find if you take a breath, step back and think about it carefully our horses do not need a lot of the supplements we give them. Having said that I believe that there is a place for supplements in the specific circumstances of each horse, but the advertising can make you feel like a very bad mum if you don't provide the latest (usually very expensive) thing!

[merlinalison]

Nothing much to add except to say that I think the only 2 reasons for feeding a joint supplement to a horse are 1) the horse has a joint problem that the vet etc feel may benefit from a nutriceutical which contains the right balance of active ingredients or 2) I think some horses who are working very hard particularly on hard surfaces so with a lot of concussion MAY benefit from a nutriceutical to ensure that their diet contains sufficient amino acids etc to keep their joints healthy. THe others are right - the feed merchants seem to want you to feed half a dozen or a dozen different supplements to your ned whether or not it is justified...(and then they can sell you a balancer because you've got your horse's diet out of balance...)

[Debbie]

I can fully understand a merchant wanting to support their bottom line, but this was a friend who was looking down her nose at me over it...and someone long involved in horses, so I just wanted to be 'sure'. I think I'll stick to my guns and my first instinct on this and just steer clear for now. There are only so many things I can put in her feedbucket, and besides, she's got a nice well rounded grass diet with backup hay, and added probiotics and minerals/vits....I don't think she's really lacking anything...

[akehurstannabel]

I'm sure she's not missing anything Debbie. You obviously keep yourself well up to date with latest developements. I think as horse owners/lovers we need to keep abreast of current developements but unfortunately some people who have been around horses for a long time fail to continue learning. It could be that your friend doesn't quite have her finger on the pulse. I know a few people who are really old school and can be a little bit condescending to people who maybe haven't had horses for quite as many years. I just think it is a constant learning curve and maybe your friend would benefit from asking a few questions as you have!

[tinkerdorisalison]

Good thread this..........

Debbie, it is a recognised youngster thing - locking stifle - tinker had it and she grew out of it and it absolutely fine - as has already been said - give the pony time to grow and if she has decent grazing she will get everything she needs to develop .

[jakesmum]

no wouldn`t consider giving jake joint supplement. however I do give him multivit supp as I`m not feeding

[shaklana]

Whether I'd use a joint supplement with a locking stifle would depend on the frequency & severity. If it is infrequent & unlocks v easily than probably not. If it "sticks" then definitely.

[flintfootfilly]

Interesting thread. Don't have any direct experience of this, so will be interested in any more thoughts on this. My own feeling though is that stifle locking is generally thought to be a result of things like growth spurts, sudden increase in muscle tone, sudden decrease in muscle tone (and associated changes in exercise regimes), and sometimes attributable to conformation, any of which can make it difficult for the ligaments to unlock the patella.

That being the case, I'm not clear on why a joint supplement (which primarily acts as an anti-inflammatory and as a supplement for cartilage growth) would be considered for this condition?

Maybe the anti-inflammatory effect could help if the stifle was locking so often that it was causing inflammation? Maybe? I don't know. Like I say, will be interested to hear any more views.

Sarah

[shaklana]

A joint supplement won't prevent or even reduce locking, but aids repair & reduces/delays future arthritic changes where the "locking" is causing cartilage trauma.

[flintfootfilly]

Thanks, Alison. That makes sense!

Sarah