HARD GROUND = CONCUSSION = RIDDEN DAYS LOST

With the summer in full swing, despite the current situation most of us are now lucky enough to be riding and competing once again. While most of us have been preparing for competition, our horses have lacked their preparation runs resulting in them coming out straight onto firm footing.

We have not experienced the wet weather that is occasionally encountered throughout these warmer months which has led to the ground becoming very hard underfoot. Whether enjoying a ride in a field, having a good gallop around a cross country course or your horse is simply turned out, there are concussive forces at work and we should look at safeguarding joints.

Why safeguard their joints?
- 4 tonnes of concussive force pass through the lower leg when galloping
- Horses are not well designed to absorb concussive forces
- Concussion is likely to lead to days off work
- Concussion can lead to injury

How do I know my horse has concussion?
- Shorter steps
- Reluctant to work
- Difficulty getting up/rolling
- Abnormal gait
- Joints appear to be showing signs of stress

The safeguarding solutione.

- Flush out the free radicals

o These can cause havoc in and around the joint capsule, feeding ANTIOXIDANTS will help to efficiently disperse free radicals and harmlessly flush them from your horse’s system, helping to prevent them from causing further damage and making way for the joint nutrients to get to work.

- Don’t forget to connect

o The connective tissues require and consist of GLUCOSAMINE. Feeding around 10,000mg/day will help to maintain and support the regeneration of connective tissue and therefore, help keep the horse moving with ease, with increased levels for the older horse or those with predisposing conditions.

- Care and Repair

o MSM provides a bio-available sulphur that is required and donated around the body to help improve circulation and support the anti-inflammatory process with further benefits provided to the immune system. For joints MSM helps to sustain the health of both cartilage and collagen.

- Stimulate the production

o CHONDROITIN is naturally present in healthy cartilage as it helps to stimulate the production of cartilage or joint surfaces.

- Additional care for the ageing joint

o OMEGA-3 fatty acids have proven to be effective in supporting the recognised joint nutrient capabilities and have positive effects of joint cartilage, one trial supported a more productive trot stride.

- Synovial fluid support

o HA helps to keep synovial fluid healthy and provide a protection from invasion of unwanted molecules.

Many of us will feed a Glucosamine/MSM supplement daily, this has a benefit to the otherwise healthy joint, by providing sufficient support to retain day to day all round joint health. However, when joints are compromised or under additional stresses and strains such as concussive forces exerted by hard ground or workload, injury and genetic/confirmation factors, it is advisable to take a multifactorial approach and provide the benefits included with the safeguard solution. This will help provide sufficient nutrients to supply the joint with the correct ratio of ingredients to support each individuals range of motion.

NAF have a variety of joint support to combat the stresses experienced daily. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information and speak to our qualified friendly professional team. We would love to hear from you.

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References:

1 - Leatherwood JL, Gehl KL, Coverdale JA, et al. (2016), Influence of oral glucosamine supplementation in young horses challenged with intra-articular lipopolysaccharide. J Anim Sci.;94(8):3294-3302.

2 - Forsyth, R.K., Bridgen, C.V. and Northrop, A.J. (2006), Double blind investigation of the effects of oral supplementation of combined glucosamine hydrochloride (GHCL) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) on stride characteristics of veteran horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 38: 622-625.

3 - Marañón, Gonzalo et al. “The effect of methyl sulphonyl methane supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in sport horses following jumping exercise.” Acta veterinaria Scandinavica vol. 50,1 45. 7 Nov. 2008.

4 - Woodward, Nielsen, C & Webel. (2007). Supplementation of dietary long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids high in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases plasma DHA concentration and may increase trot stride lengths in horses. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology. 4. 71 - 78.

5 - Bergin BJ, Pierce SW, Bramlage LR, Stromberg A. Oral hyaluronan gel reduces postoperative tarsocrural effusion in the yearling Thoroughbred. Equine Vet J 2006;38(4) :375-378.