Equine Mobility Support

• Product Overview
• Clinical Perspective

Key Ingredients

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is an important component of cartilage growth, maintenance, and repair. While research is ongoing in horses, meta-analysis of human clinical trials has confirmed the value of glucosamine in support of the osteoarthritic patient.^1,2,3 In the horse, glucosamine has been implicated in regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression.^4,5

In practice, glucosamine is commonly used to support healthy joints, much the same way that glucosamine is used in humans.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Chondroitin sulfate is an important component of the extracellular matrix of connective tissue. Low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate is bioavailable in the horse, although to a limited degree.⁶ While the mechanism of chondroitin sulfate action in joint health remains to be determined, it is an important component of compounds found in various functional components of the joint.

Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat germ oil provides a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E promotes healthy circulation, enhances athletic performance, and helps reduce muscle cramping. Vitamin E is an important lipophilic antioxidant implicated in a number of physiological functions. Tocopherols support immune function and lessen the inflammatory response by scavenging reactive oxygen species.

Flax Meal

Flax contains significant levels of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been implicated in reducing inflammation. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduced inflammatory thromboxane and decreased endotoxin-induced TNF production in horses.^7,8

Ginger

Ginger contains a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds. Several ginger compounds have well-documented effects on inflammation. For example, 6-gingerol and 6-paradol have both anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor (proliferation) activity, while 8-paradol and 9-shagaol have been shown to inhibit COX-2 activity. This action may explain ginger's historic use as an analgesic.^9,10

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is used to mask, in part, the bitter ginger taste, improving palatability. It also makes a great smelling product.

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Supplement Facts

Ingredients

Flax meal, glucosamine sulfate, ginger (root), chondroitin sulfate, wheat germ oil, honey, and cinnamon.

Clinical Perspective

In clinical evaluations supervised by a veterinarian, Equine Mobility Support showed improvement in lameness scores.

First Trial: Eight-Week Evaluation of Lameness

Horses representing different breeds, ages, and gender were evaluated prior to initiating the study to define their lameness. Animals having a spavin score of greater than 1 in a leg joint were recruited. Fifteen horses were enrolled in the study and were given ¼ cup (approximately 2 ounces) of Equine Mobility Support daily for 60 days. Equine participants were re-evaluated at thirty-day intervals. Change in spavin score, or lack thereof, was noted after 30 and 60 days. Serum chemistry and complete blood cell counts were performed prior to and during the study to assure no unexpected side effects developed during the study.

Initial Results

All horses, with one exception, showed improvement of aggregate spavin score (total for all limbs) by 30 days (see Figure 3). At 60 days, all horses showed continued improvement. In addition, there were no actionable changes in blood chemistries. Subjective comments from the trainers involved indicated many animals showed much greater range of motion although this wasn't measured directly.

Second Trial: Follow-up to First Trial

Eighteen additional animals were recruited for assessment. These animals were more active (dressage, endurance, jumping, therapy) and likely to exhibit different stress symptoms/indicators on their limbs. Sixteen animals finished the 60-day trial with a similar protocol. The two animals withdrawn from the study were not fed the supplement during the time the owners were on vacation. The results support those found in our initial trial (see Figure 3).

These studies contained no control group and represent the observations and measurements by the attending veterinarian.

Figure 2

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