Finding Equine Inflammation Management Supplements

By Jessica Wilson


As athletes age, muscles and joints begin to wear out. Exercise, which is essential for good health, also causes wear and tear. When damage begins to overwhelm recovery, pain and inflammation can be troublesome. However, inflammation is a natural response, so suppressing it with chemicals is not the answer. To keep a horse and rider team going, equine inflammation management supplements can be valuable.

Horsemen have practiced pain management for centuries. Today's horse owners use the old ways as well as the results of research into both the causes and the mechanics of muscle and joint pain. We now know that inflammation is a natural response to injury, but it can also be a cause of discomfort. The trick is to allow an inflammatory response to do its restorative work but limit it so pain is reduced.

Herbs are key in this balancing act. Nature's beneficial plants have the power to keep inflammation within bounds, so it can increase circulation necessary for healing but not flare up and cause swelling and tenderness. Even though all the actions of herbal remedies are not known, their benefits have been extensively documented.

With research validating the claims of herbalists, supplement manufacturers have chosen many of the most effective herbs and studied their benefits for horses. Devil's Claw, a tall weed used by mountain folk to ease the pains of rheumatism, is sold in powder and pellet form. Fed daily, this herbal product eases muscle and joint pain and makes a horse more comfortable under saddle.

Other herbs that are generally found in products designed to maintain and restore soundness and free movement are ginger, tumeric, and boswellia. A folk remedy is made from equal parts of these three herbs, to be added to the feed by the tablespoon (1 or 2 a day). Each of these herbs are known to decrease swelling, ease pain, and reduce inflammation. In fact, research shows these herbs to be as effective as many over the counter and even prescription painkillers.

Even if a horse doesn't have soft swelling or a limp, a loss of flexibility is a sign of muscular discomfort and incipient arthritis or other disorders. As people know, aches and pains can take all the fun out of physical activity. Favoring one muscle or joint may put extra stress on another, making further injury probable. Since riding is the point, and exercise is good for almost everything that ails us, free movement is important. Exercise tones muscles, boosts circulation, and increases fitness. Vitamin and mineral-rich herbs can give the horse what it needs to stay healthy, strong, and active.

Horsemen use many methods to keep a horse sound or help it recover. Acupressure, hot and cold poultices, infra-red light treatments, ultra-sound sessions, massage, and rub-downs can be accompanied by herbal supplements to maximize the benefits. Hyaluronic acid, a natural part of joint fluid, can be given orally or injected directly into a joint, where it helps restore mobility and relieve the pain of a 'dry' joint. Glucosamine and chondriotin are used by the body to build cartilage; supplementing them helps with arthritis.

Experts recommend finding a good supplement and feeding it for a while. After a year or so, change to another to make sure your horse is getting what it needs. You can also use herbal supplements topically, like curcumin in a leg rub. This herb heats up tendons and joints and helps promote healing. There are many excellent products formulated to keep your horse active and fit.




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