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SPILLERS: Supporting Senior Joints

Many older horses, much like older people, get stiffer with age or have joint disease. In fact, in a recent survey of >5000 horse owners/ carers in the UK, 44% of senior horses and ponies were reported to show signs of stiffness or arthritis (SPILLERS Senior Horse Survey 2024).  

If you’re looking for ways to support your golden oldie’s joint health a supplement may be the first thing that springs to mind but it’s certainly not the only consideration.

Weight matters!

Carrying excess weight increases joint strain and is one of many reasons to keep your horse/ pony’s waistline in check as they age.  Balancers are ideal for seniors that maintain weight easily (or too easily!) on forage alone and unlike vitamin and mineral supplements, provide amino acids to help support muscle and topline too. You can find more information about SPILLERS balancers here.

 

More feed & management tips

Pain from joint disease can affect appetite as well as overall welfare, so it’s important to discuss a pain management programme with your vet.

  • Arthritis in the neck or forelimbs may make pulling hay from a net, lowering the head to eat from ground level or grazing uncomfortable. In these situations, try offering feed, forage and water from raised buckets, mangers and troughs.
  • Be prepared to adapt the type and intensity of exercise you do with your horse. While 10 metre circles in the arena are pretty unforgiving, slow hacks on even ground may be beneficial. Of course, there may also come a time when retirement is more appropriate than slowing down.
  • Turnout provides gentle exercise and helps to keep senior joints moving (use it or lose it!) but try to avoid uneven ground, heavy mud and paddocks on a steep incline, all of which increase joint strain.
  • Look out for horses that are frequently found snoozing while others are grazing as this may be a sign that pain from arthritis means they are unable to lay down and rest fully. Seek advice from your vet if you have any concerns.

Safe supplementing

 

Supplements may help to support joint health but beware of bold claims - if it sounds too good to be true it probably is! Commonly used ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and hyaluronic acid, as well as herbs such as boswelia and rosehips. Although recommended daily intakes have not been established, choosing a supplement containing a blend of ingredients may be more effective than relying on a single ingredient.

 

Tip: If your super senior is still competing, make sure the supplement (and feed) you choose is BETA® NOPS approved - don’t worry, all SPILLERS products are BETA® NOPS approved!

Did you know? It is illegal for companies to claim supplements can cure, prevent or treat joint disease/ stiffness, and to use words like ‘improve’ or ‘soothe’ (this is true for all feeds, supplements and clinical conditions).