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Thursday 5 January 2017

Choosing 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 had to practice pain management for centuries. Fortunately a lot of their knowledge has been passed down. New research has validated many claims made for old remedies. New understanding of the purpose of inflammation, for example, tells us that this natural bodily response can be too strong, but properly managed it speeds recovery. Combining both old and new knowledge gives horse owners a broad range of options.

Herbs are nature's keys to successful treatment. Rather than suppressing the inflammatory response, herbal supplements can keep it within the limits necessary for healing. Inflammation involves increased circulation, which is necessary for soft tissue repair. However, too strong a response causes swelling and tenderness. There are many herbs that promote healing rather than merely suppress symptoms. Although the way herbal preparations work is not always clear to science, their effects have been well documented.

Of course, centuries of use have given us lots of information as well. It's just the frosting on the cake that researchers have been able to validate so much of the historical knowledge. Take Devil's Claw, for instance. People have long used this tall weed for the pains of rheumatism. Today it is a go-to remedy for arthritis. When given to horses in powdered or pelleted form, it helps ease both muscle and joint pain that makes horses stiff 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.

Exercise is important to maintain health, muscle tone, and flexibility. It's hard, though, when something hurts when you move. If you favor one limb or muscle group, you may put undue strain on another. The same is true for horses. Vitamin and mineral-rich herbs can help prolong free movement and the useful life of your mount. Prevention is as important as the cure, and herbs can deliver both.

Supplements used as directed should be part of a comprehensive program of diet, exercise, and other therapies. Horse owners use acupressure, ultra-sound, massage, hot and cold poultices, and infra-red light to treat occasional and chronic disorders. Hyaluronic acid is sometimes injected into a 'dry' joint; this substance is natural and has none of the cartilage-destroying drawbacks of steroids. Chondroitin and glucosamine, natural building blocks of the proteins that make up cartilage, are valuable supplements to prevent and treat arthritis.

Horse nutrition experts advise finding a good supplement to feed daily. Change to another about once a year to make sure your horse is getting everything it needs. Topical herbals can help, too, like curcumin ointments for tendons and joints. Find out about products that can keep you and your horse going strong.




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