The best joint supplements for horses provide additional nutritional support for normal and healthy joint function to help keep them in good working order, comfortable and moving at their best.
There’s a lot for your horse’s joints to contend with throughout the year. In the winter, the increased likelihood of restricted turnout means they’re likely to be moving less and when this is combined with colder temperatures, stiffness is a common result. If the ground’s not hard then it’s wet, which can lead to more roadwork and increased concussive forces on the joint, too. Whereas in the summer hard ground is also unavoidable if you’re not confined to a school.
Joint supplements for horses: what are your options?
Here is a selection of the best joint supplements for horses that are currently available, including the manufacturers’ descriptions of their products…
NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available tub. Some products require you to feed more with a higher workload, which will increase the cost per daily measure, while buying a larger tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.
NAF Five Star Superflex
Form: Powder
Sizes: 400g, 800g, 1.6kg, 3.2kg, 9.6kg
RRP: £26.50 for 400g
Daily measure: 13g
Cost per day: £0.86
A scientifically balanced ratio of readily absorbed glucosamine, chondroitin and the highest quality MSM, which support the cartilage — the first part of the joint to show wear and tear. It also contains a powerful anti-oxidant formula, which tackles excess free radical build-up around the joint. Superflex contains the right combination of key nutrients in the optimum ratios and is also available in liquid form.
BETA NOPS compliant.
YuMove Joint Care for Horses
Form: Powder
Sizes: 1.8kg
RRP: £97.15
Daily measure: 40g
Cost per day: £2.16
This new and improved formula has increased levels of high-strength Glucosamine, MSM and omega-3, providing even more support, encouraging joint health and muscle recovery.
Dodson & Horrell Joint Support
Form: Pellets
Sizes: 1.5kg, 3kg
RRP: £25.61 for 1.5kg
Daily measure: 30g
Cost per day: £0.51
A pelleted supplement that supports the nutritional maintenance of your horse’s musculoskeletal system, designed to support healthy joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Also contains herbs from Dodson & Horrell Mobility.
BETA NOPS compliant.
TopSpec 10:10 Joint Support
Form: Powder
Sizes: 1.5kg, 3kg, 9kg or 20kg
RRP: £39.75 for 1.5kg
Daily measure: 50g
Cost per day: £1.33
A caramel-flavoured additive that includes an excellent specification of nutrients to help maintain health in and around joints. It includes a generous combination of natural sources of glucosamine and MSM, as well as a blend of antioxidants.
BETA NOPS compliant.
Animalife Vetroflex Original
Form: Powder
Sizes: 600g, 1kg or 2kg
RRP: £59.99 for 500g
Daily measure: 20g
Cost per day: £2.40
This supplement is a pure peptide protein and works by protecting the cartilage and synovial fluid against deterioration. It also stimulates the cartilage cells to promote more collagen, which helps maintain movement and flexibility by protecting the joints from friction.
Aviform Suppleaze Gold
Form: Powder
Sizes: 600g, 1kg, 2kg or 4kg
RRP: £51.95 for 600g
Daily measure: 27g
Cost per day: £2.34
This supplement offers medium to high level joint support. It contains the optimum ratios of chondroitin, glucosamine HCl, MSM, and high levels of hyaluronic acid, plus added vitamin C and boswellia.
BETA NOPS compliant.
Equitop GLME
Form: Pellets
Sizes: 750g
RRP: £94.20
Daily measure: 25g
Cost per day: 3.14
Manufactured by the world’s largest equine veterinary health company, Equitop GLME contains high quality green-lipped mussel extract (GLME), which provides nutrients to support optimal joint health. It is tested free of prohibited substances and can be used confidently in competition.
Science Supplements FlexAbility Plus+
Form: Powder
Sizes: 1.7kg, 10kg
RRP: £69.99 for 1.7kg
Daily measure: 57g
Cost per day: £2.35
The only joint supplement in the UK with a published peer-reviewed paper in The Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, it contains optimum levels of scientifically proven ingredients, including glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulphate, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid.
BETA NOPS compliant.
Global Herbs MoveFree Plus
Form: Powder
Sizes: 500g, 1kg or 5kg
RRP: £37.50 for 500g
Daily measure: 22g
Cost per day: £1.54
This supplement helps to maintain joints, tendons and ligaments. A highly concentrated herbal mix, it supports freedom of movement and helps maintain the natural production of joint fluid.
BETA NOPS compliant.
The Golden Paste Company TurmerAid
Form: Pellets
Sizes: 2kg or 15kg
RRP: £23.20 for 2kg
Daily measure: 50g
Cost per day: £0.58
This joint supplement also supports the body’s natural inflammation process, aids digestion and promotes a healthy skin and coat. It contains turmeric (5.1% curcumin), linseed oil, black pepper, apple cider vinegar and yucca.
BETA NOPS compliant.
Omega Flexology
Form: Pellet
Sizes: 930g, 3.72kg
RRP: £41.25 for 930kg
Daily measure: 15.5g
Cost per day: £0.69
This natural supplement supports and maintains all aspects of joint health, from maintaining the health of tendons, ligaments and tissues to supporting healthy cartilage, muscles and mobility. Ingredients include glucosamine, MSM, HA and boswellia for ultimate joint health.
H Bradshaws ColiFlex Gastro-Joint Care
Form: Powder
Sizes: 3kg
RRP: £96
Daily measure: 30–60g
Cost per day: £0.96–1.92
This formulation targets the joint and digestive system in one supplement to ensure maximum nutrition for your horse’s joints, through improved digestive function. It contains Coligone, which works throughout the digestive tract using active, natural ingredients to help combat compromised digestive health and support optimum digestion. Also contains glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, MSM, HA, anti-oxidants, omega-3 and calcium.
How to choose the best joint supplement for horses
Look out for the most common ingredients found in joint supplements, which includes:
- glucosamine – this works as a building block for lots of different processes in the body, and is particularly important for maintaining the cartilage between joints, which assists in smooth movement and reducing concussion of joints. Studies suggest a 500kg horse needs 10g glucosamine a day.
- MSM (methyl sulphonyl methane) – it’s suggested this possesses anti-inflammatory properties and could have a protective effect against some forms of exercise-induced injuries. An effective equine dose of MSM is said to be at least 1,200mg per day.
- HA (hyaluronic acid) – this is widely used for reducing heat, pain and swelling, and is known to help with lubricating the joints as well as maintaining healthy cartilage and connective tissue. Recommended dosages vary greatly, but you should expect a joint supplement to deliver upwards of 100mg of HA a day.
Consider the form the supplement takes – joint supplements can come in liquid, powder and pellet forms. Your horse may have a preference to one over another, which could make all the difference as if he won’t eat it, your horse won’t receive the benefit.
Cost is another consideration – we’ve calculated the daily cost of all the supplements featured in this guide to help you compare them easily. To make it as comparable as possible, we’ve used the smallest tubs available, but if you’re better off buying a larger volume of supplement if you can as the daily cost can become significantly lower.
If you compete with your horse then it is important you make sure any supplements you use do not contain any prohibited substances.
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