Repetitive strain, joint issue prevention and proactive care
The daily demands on your horse - joint health is relevant to every horse, not just seniors
Did you know?
- Every year, the average horse takes more than 4 million steps
- They spend the equivalent of 274 days on their feet
- Approx. 75% of the year carrying their own body weight through their limbs
- Each footfall creates impact forces that travel through the musculoskeletal system
- Millions of impacts travelling through joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments
- Activities such as jumping, hard surfaces, and uneven footing increase those forces
Day after day, year after year - cumulative stress and the importance of prevention
Q - What is repetitive strain?
A - Repeated loading of joints, tendons, and ligaments over time
Cumulative stress can eventually exceed your horse's ability to recover.
Everyday contributors (more than you think)
- Turnout
- Standing
- Hacking
- Schooling
- Jumping
- Competing
Wear and tear starts before you see any outward signs
Joint changes often develop gradually from subtle beginnings, with early wear and tear often not visible or obvious.
Stiffness, reduced flexibility, or the need for longer warm-up times can appear later.
The value of prevention
Supporting joints before problems become apparent is more effective than reacting to an issue once it appears.
- Balanced exercise - mix workloads, avoid excessive repetition, and allow adequate recovery
- Nutrition - ensure you include joint-support ingredients as part of overall nutrition
- Routine monitoring - regular farriery, plus attention to changes in movement or behaviour
- Environment and footing - help reduce unnecessary strain by avoiding inappropriate footing where possible, including in ridden exercise and turnout
Joint care through every life stage - which balancer to choose?
Proactive joint support benefits horses of all ages, while older horses may need additional support as natural age-related changes occur.
Joint Care - Supports and nourishes joints, encourages generation of healthy tissue and promotes muscle recovery.
Senior - For horses aged 14+, helping them stay feeling young by supporting joints, mobility and age-related hormone changes such as Cushing’s (PPID).
Senior Plus - Ideal for older horses and ponies who need extra support, with elevated protein to help maintain condition, muscle and overall wellbeing.
DON'T FORGET - Your horse’s joints are under constant pressure. Every stride contributes to the cumulative stresses that can affect comfort and mobility over time. Support their joints today, so they’re ready for tomorrow and for many more years to come.
