How Equine Supplements Can Benefit You
Just like humans may choose to take a variety of multi-vitamins, painkillers, prescription meds, and other supplements to boost health, wellness and vitality, horses can also benefit from tailored supplementation. For example, humans often take some form of osteoarthritis medication containing glucosamine and/or chondroitin if they are suffering from joint issues – and horses can take something almost identical to what humans consume! We sometimes take anti-inflammatories like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) after a strenuous hike or intense workout, and race horses and other hard-working equines can also benefit from various painkillers and supplements that are designed to relieve the pain that often stems from stressful movements. Equine supplements are varied, and understanding which ones are right for your horse can make all the difference. Let’s look at the unique equine performance and wellness supplements that are available today, as well as their unique uses.
Joint Supplements: Hard-working equines are often afflicted with joint issues. If you can hear an audible crack, creak or snapping sound when your horse walks or runs, consider a consultation with your veterinarian and/or trainer to begin joint therapy. Your vet may recommend a joint supplement to minimize inflammation, repair damaged or painful joints, and bulk up vital cartilage in areas currently suffering from joint damage. Most joint supplements contain glucosamine and chondroitin, along with other proprietary ingredients. Whether your horse is a work horse, racer, show animal or simply a favorite equine on the farm or ranch, joint issues are a real concern – and equine joint supplements can help.
Calming Supplements: Equine calming supplements may be needed if you need to calm a nervous horse, minimize stress on show animals, or address severe irritability or anxiety in an equine. Some horses are nervous by nature, while other animals have a calm demeanor at most times, but can be put off by when forced to travel in an enclosed trailer. Calming agents often use a blend of natural ingredients like Vitamin B1, L-tryptophan, magnesium, and raspberry leaves to minimize anxiety in horses, and they can quickly and safely address nervousness in your equines. If your horse seems nervous and ready to start running at the next startling noise he hears, consider adding a calming supplement to your equine’s daily routine.
Skin & Coat Supplements: There is more to a horse’s coat than just a shiny look, but that clean, sleek appearance is often an indicator of good overall health. Skin and coat equine supplements generally include wellness-boosting ingredients like omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as rice bran, flax seed and fish oil, to make any horse’s coat shine beautifully. Beyond the horse’s good looks, the glossy coat actually acts as a protective barrier against infections and the spread of harmful bacteria. A show-ready shine and a healthy overall coat can be a reality when you add skin and coat supplements to your equine’s wellness routine.
Multi-purpose Supplements: Consider these equine supplements as the multi-vitamin of the horse wellness world. Just as humans take a multi-vitamin to ensure any nutritional gaps are filled, multi-purpose equine supplements can help older horses feel more alive, race horses recover quicker from strenuous racing or training activities, or work horses more easily combat the rigors of a life of diligent work. Most multi-purpose supplements contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Better joint health, cardiovascular wellness, and temperament can be achieved with a top-quality multi-purpose equine supplement.
Performance Supplements: If your work, race, or show horse could use a little help recovering from the rigors of the track, show ring or ranch, consider adding a performance supplement to their nutrition plan today. Performance supplements can help a horse recover quicker from strenuous activities, and can help protect joints from the normal punishment seen by high-performance equines. Many equine performance supplements boost the horse’s use of ATP, the natural provider of energy to the equine’s muscles – and can aid in minimizing muscle damage and fatigue when used appropriately. So whether you train dressage equines, race horses, show ponies, or working animals, a performance supplement may be the answer. Consult your veterinarian and trainer to ensure this is the right option for your prized animal.
Equine supplements can help your horse feel better, recover quicker, and live a fuller life. For more information about equine supplements and their uses, contact HorsePrerace today!
Reference:
https://itsshowtimenj.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/get-the-scoop-on-supplements-all-about-different-types-of-supplements-and-what-they-can-do-for-horses/