Glucosamine is an sugar compound that is made in the horses body.
It is incorporated into many of the horse’s body’s molecules, including joint cartilage,the structural tissue that is found between joints throughout the body.
The many proposed actions and benefits of feeding horses glucosamine are;
Slowing the progression of cartilage deterioration by providing sulfur which helps build strong cartilage.
Increases the sulfur content in synovial fluid. Has an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing pro-inflammatory markers. Also proposed to improve joint function and prevent cartilage degradation.
There has been numerous research carried out on glucosamine, both on live horses and in test tube, however much of the research has been peer reviewed and found lacking in evidence and scientific protocol.
However a new well run, double blinded, crossover trial has been conducted a large sample size of horses using a joint supplement has given postive results. www.sciencedirect.com/…/abs/pii/S0737080616304749
The trial used a particular supplement which contained glucosamine, results showed
significant improvements in lameness scores (less lameness in treated horses), less response to flexion tests and improvements in muscle tone.
The research used a level of glucosmaine fed at 16g per day to achieve the positive result.
Glucosamine is commonly harvested from both beef and marine sources, it can also be produced synthetically.
See www.dlequine.co.nz for individual nutrition programmes & education courses.
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