Content

1. Some would say that the horse is the greatest athlete in the world
2. The Glucosamine/Chondroitin story
3. Cue collagen
4. Summer joints
5. Clicky joints? Don't panic ...
6. Natural plant support
7. Video - THE 24 BEHAVIORS OF THE RIDDEN HORSE IN PAIN: SHIFTING THE PARADIGM OF HOW WE SEE LAMENESS

Sub-Chapters

1. PSSM
2. Tendons & Ligaments

There’s nothing quite like watching a healthy horse in motion – the flow, the form, the power. It all comes down to the brilliantly engineered musculoskeletal system: bones, joints, connective tissue, and muscle working in harmony to create movement.

But this system, as robust as it is, can be vulnerable. Day-to-day wear and tear, repetitive strain, or even a single misstep can take a toll, and when something goes wrong, it often happens fast.

As Dr Eleanor Kellon puts it:

"Lameness makes most people think about bones and joints but it's much more complicated. Any good body worker can tell you the bones and joints only create the form. It is the soft tissues of fascia, tendon, ligament and muscle that do the work of movement and maintaining stability."

Mobility doesn’t just depend on workload – it’s also shaped by diet, lifestyle, and the horse’s underlying metabolic health. When the body’s internal balance is under strain – for example, if detox pathways are sluggish or key nutrients are lacking – it becomes harder to clear waste and metabolic debris. This can build up in the connective tissue which may contribute to the development of arthritis, potentially leading to the progressive destruction of the joint itself (DJD).

Once a joint or limb is compromised, recovery takes time and patience. Rehab can be costly and frustrating, and recurrence is common – often because the deeper underlying strain on soft tissues hasn’t been fully addressed.

From box rest to shockwave therapy, from NSAIDs to surgery, there’s no shortage of interventions for joint issues. But success rates can be mixed, and some approaches may come with risks or questionable value. There’s still no one-size-fits-all solution that guarantees full athletic recovery without risk of reinjury.

Here at EquiNatural, the joint-related cases we see most often involve a breakdown in the connective support structures around joints – particularly cartilage and muscle – leading to inflammation and misalignment. A key part of any natural support approach involves ensuring healthy, toxin-free blood flow to these tissues, to help the body manage inflammation and clear cellular debris.

Ultimately, keeping joint tissues healthy starts with the bigger picture: a balanced, nourishing diet rich in micronutrients, antioxidants, and functional compounds to support the whole system. For instance:

• Working horses need a steady supply of naturally occurring antioxidants to help neutralise the free radicals generated by exercise.
• Spirulina (a blue-green algae) is a brilliant antioxidant source, as are omega-3 fatty acids from micronised linseed – which mirrors the omega-3 profile of fresh spring grass. If your horse isn’t on fresh grazing, omega-3 is likely lacking in the diet.
• Sulphur (MSM) is another unsung hero – a key component of connective tissue and protein structure, playing a vital role in supporting muscle tone, tissue repair, and overall resilience.

The Glucosamine/Chondroitin story

For years, glucosamine and chondroitin have been the go-to names in joint support. But do they actually work?

The research says... not really. Let’s break it down.

There is a form of glucosamine that the body recognises and can use – glucosamine sulphate. But most products on the market contain glucosamine hydrochloride (HCL) or L-glucosamine, both synthetic forms with poor bioavailability. As for chondroitin, it’s largely a lost cause – not just underwhelming in studies, but also often animal-derived (typically from pigs), making it a non-starter for many.

Here’s a quick snapshot at what the (human) research shows:

• A large two-year study by the National Institutes of Health (the GAIT trial) found that glucosamine HCL and chondroitin – both alone and combined – performed no better than placebo in people with mild knee issues. A small improvement was noted in moderate-to-severe cases, but nothing conclusive.
• A 2010 meta-analysis of 3,800 people with hip and knee concerns showed no meaningful benefit from glucosamine, chondroitin, or their combination.
  
• A 2016 study of 164 patients found that glucosamine HCL and chondroitin together had no effect on pain levels or joint function.
• Over 20 studies have now concluded that chondroitin doesn’t offer consistent results on knee and hip pain.
• A handful of studies explored joint structure improvements – but any observed benefits were too minimal to be considered clinically relevant.

What about green lipped mussels (GLM)?

Green-lipped mussel (GLM) supplements are another popular option, but we’re not fans. While GLM does contain glucosamine sulphate, the levels are tiny – only around 8–10%. The rest is simply dried mussel meat, which many horses dislike, and it’s worth remembering that a horse’s digestive system isn’t designed to process fish-derived ingredients.

There’s more:

• Mussels are filter feeders, meaning they accumulate whatever’s in the water – including microplastics, heavy metals, and pollutants (remember Fukushima?).
• GLM supplements often include extras like hyaluronic acid and chondroitin. But hyaluronic acid is broken down by stomach acid before it can reach the joints. It can be injected directly into a joint, but its effect is typically short-lived – and regular injections into a sore joint are far from ideal.
• Chondroitin sulphate, even if it reaches the joint, is often animal-derived – again, usually from pigs, which makes it a huge No from us.

So what does work?

It comes back to glucosamine sulphate, ideally paired with MSM – organic sulphur – to give the body the raw materials it needs.

• Always look for glucosamine sulphate, the bioavailable form recognised by the liver, which can reach the joints more effectively than synthetic versions.
• MSM provides additional sulphur, which supports the body’s own production of glucosamine sulphate at the cellular level.
• The two together may offer gentle, ongoing support for connective tissues - a combination featured in our well-reviewed JointReflexa formula, especially when paired with a natural anti-inflammatory such as DuoBute.

It’s not a magic bullet – but for many horses, this approach forms a strong foundation for everyday joint support.

Cue collagen

If there’s one nutrient that underpins healthy joints, it’s collagen – the cellular glue that holds the body’s connective tissues together. It forms the structural foundation for bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels, organs, and the entire digestive tract. Remarkably, collagen also accounts for around 70% of the skin’s protein content. In short, it’s essential to how well the body functions – and how comfortably it moves.

In joint cartilage, collagen is also the most abundant protein and second only to water in quantity. While there are nearly two dozen types of collagen, three dominate the body’s makeup, making up 80-90% of the collagen in the body: Types I, II, and III.

• Type I and III are found mainly in skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
• Type II, the key player in joint health, is the main form found in cartilage.

Ageing and Collagen

As bodies age, collagen production slows. In humans, it typically starts to decline from the mid-20s. By 40, we’re producing around 25% less than in our youth; by 60, that figure drops to 50%. Hence the wrinkles, sags and creases (welcome to my world!). By the time we hit our 80s, we’re down to a quarter of our original collagen supply.

In horses, the process is harder to track, but you’ll often notice sagging facial or neck skin in older equines – typically in their late 20s or 30s. More importantly, from a joint health perspective, collagen plays a vital role in cushioning the surfaces where bones meet. In working horses, wear and tear can accelerate collagen depletion – one reason why both my senior crew, Murphy and Carmen, stay on our JSTTonic year-round.

Maintaining collagen levels

Several nutrients help the body maintain healthy collagen production:

• Antioxidants like vitamin E, MSM (organic sulphur), and silica (naturally found in herbs like calendula, nettle, and horsetail).
• Omega essential fatty acids from micronised linseed.
• Vitamin C, which supports collagen synthesis – although horses produce their own, so there’s usually no need to supplement (but a handful of rosehip shells never hurts).

Collagen fibres are unique in their high content of two amino acids: hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline. These are both found in micronised linseed, which (in my humble opinion) is invaluable when it comes to joint support. These two amino acids are essential for forming strong, flexible collagen across all types, with several studies suggesting that linseed can support joint tissue integrity and help manage signs of strain or discomfort in compromised areas.

Summer Joints

It might sound obvious, but hydration is everything – especially when it comes to joint comfort.

Dehydration in the summer is a common cause of joint pain as the body’s need for fluids becomes greater as we sweat more in the heat. I know it’s stating the obvious, but water really is a key ingredient in allowing the body to function properly, especially joints.

In the summer months, horses lose more fluids through sweat. If they’re not drinking enough to stay hydrated, the joints can start to feel the effects. Why? Because water makes up a huge part of the body’s natural joint lubricants – particularly joint cartilage and synovial fluid that helps reduce friction and facilitate movement. Water is also vital for flushing out waste products and metabolic by-products, which consequently helps to fight inflammation. If hydration drops, so does this natural detox process – which can leave joints feeling more reactive, especially in older or previously injured horses.

All this means that when the body becomes dehydrated, joint comfort suffers. Pair that with sun-baked turnout fields and concrete-hard ground, and you’ve got a recipe for concussive stress on hooves, legs, and joints.

Keep hydration front and centre

Encourage your horse to drink more by:

• Adding electrolytes or extra salt to the feedbowl.
• Offering a second water bucket with diluted salt – you may find many horses prefer the taste and drink more.

Our Carmen, with her twisted hoof from birth, always finds the hard ground tough going - it doesn't take much for her to hobble on three legs. Through the summer, she stays on a daily scoop of our DuoBute blend – it gently helps her stay more comfortable and moving more freely through the season.

Clicky joints? Don't panic ...

We’ve all been there – hearing clicky joints and instantly worrying something’s wrong.

Back in June 2020, we had a friend's horse – the very gorgeous William in rehab with us – recovering from kissing spine surgery and multiple lameness issues. I’ve never heard anything quite like his joints – you could literally hear the clicks from the other side of the field!

That said, my husband’s joints are just as noisy. He regularly flicks his knee or elbow to “pop” a joint. It doesn’t hurt, but he often says his joints can ache depending on the weather (I suspect many of us can relate ...)

So what’s going on?

Clicky joints usually come down to the protective synovial fluid – the natural, slippery lubricant that reduces friction in between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement, being the type of joint found between bones that move against each other, i.e. shoulder, hip, knees. This fluid is produced by the synovial membrane, which secretes substances like albumin and hyaluronic acid to give it its cushioning, viscous texture.

Here’s how it works:

• When a joint is at rest, cartilage absorbs some of this synovial fluid.
• When the joint moves, it squeezes the fluid back out – a bit like squeezing a sponge.
• The sounds we hear come from air bubbles in the synovial fluid or tight ligaments snapping over bony surfaces. All totally normal.

So, is joint clicking a concern?

Usually not. Most of the time, it’s harmless and doesn’t indicate damage. However, it can be a sign that some of the soft tissues are tight – and over time, this tightness could contribute to strain or injury if left unchecked.

One easy fix? Stretching and movement. You might even hear a satisfying pop as a joint realigns – that’s what my husband feels when he “unlocks” a clicky joint.

“Motion is lotion,” as they say. While clicky joints aren’t usually anything to worry about, they’re still a gentle nudge to keep things moving – especially as horses (and humans!) age. It also doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on joint comfort and consider nutritional support to help the system stay supple.

Natural plant support

Joint health is one of those areas where nature truly shines. A wide range of nourishing herbs can help support peripheral mobility, maintain collagen production, and ease everyday stiffness or tension in the musculoskeletal system.

First up: natural alleviators - anti-inflammatories. Herbs like Willow and Meadowsweet (both featured in our DuoBute) have a long history of traditional use to support comfort and manage inflammation. Meadowsweet brings extra benefits too – as a mild diuretic and hepatic, it gently encourages the body’s natural detox processes.

For deeper support, we turn to our  JSTTonic– short for Joints & Soft Tissue. This formula is built around a blend of alteratives (aka traditional blood cleansers) that help support healthy circulation and elimination.

• Burdock and Nettle are excellent alteratives with specific affinity for the joints. Nettle, an ancient mineraliser, is highly nutritious and known to support collagen formation thanks to its rich supply of minerals like calcium, silica, and sulphur – all co-factors for healthy connective tissue.
• A single cup of nettle infusion can contain between 300–500mg of calcium, along with carotene, magnesium, vitamins A, B, K, potassium, and even protein – a truly underrated powerhouse.

We also include:

• Dandelion leaf – a gentle diuretic that supports the kidneys in eliminating metabolic waste.
• Viburnum opulus – traditionally used as an antispasmodic, it’s particularly helpful where muscle tension or cramping affects joint comfort.
• Rosehips – a favourite with many horses, and naturally rich in vitamin C (reportedly up to 60 times more than citrus fruits). Try picking fresh rosehips from the hedgerow as a treat – my retired Murphy used to love nothing more than foraging from a wild rose bush while out on the trail.

Other allies worth knowing:

• Calendula (marigold) – supports tissue repair and is high in natural sulphur.
• Garlic – best fed fresh and crushed, it's rich in sulphur, lipoic acid, and taurine, which all play a role in collagen metabolism.
• Avena sativa (oatstraw) – a great source of silica, helping to support healthy calcium absorption and tissue resilience.

Nature offers so many supportive tools – and with the right blend of herbs, nutrients, hydration, and movement, we can help keep our horses’ joints supple and supported at every stage of life.

THE 24 BEHAVIORS OF THE RIDDEN HORSE IN PAIN: SHIFTING THE PARADIGM OF HOW WE SEE LAMENESS

Meanwhile, here's a 2022 video that's truly eye-opening - if you have an unsound or confirmed-lame horse, this may be the best spent 35-minutes you spend. Here's the link for you - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZgtrqbMVI YouTube: The 24 Behaviors

It features the renowned Dr Sue Dyson, one of the world's top equine orthopaedic specialists, working through a real-life - and very touching - case study with a beautiful horse named Galina, and her deeply empathetic owner, who begins to understand what her horse has been trying to tell her.



📌 Nerve block warning around 17:50 if you're squeamish with needles — I definitely twitched!