Joint care you should have started yesterday

Prevention, Active Recovery and Ingredients

It's WHEN, NOT IF. Your horse’s joints can’t regenerate. You can only preserve what’s left. Below we look at injury prevention and ways to support improved recovery.

Most horses will face joint issues of some description, whether you're hacking, showing locally, schooling at home, or competing further afield, repetitive strain can wear your horse down. Are you be prepared? Are you preventing?

Unlike us, your horse doesn’t get to say “I feel a bit sore” before it turns into something worse. Instead, we often only notice the signs after the damage is done; heat, swelling, shortened stride, stiffness on turns, or reduced mobility.

The reality? If your horse is in work (even just hacking), they’re dealing with joint stress whether you see it or not. Feeding for joint care after your horse starts stiffening up is too late.

INJURY PREVENTION

Our key ingredients - Glucosamine and Turmeric. Feed them all year-round, not just after the damage is visible. Feed for prevention before the damage starts.

Once joint cartilage is damaged, it doesn’t regenerate. No supplement can reverse it, not even the vet. If you’re not feeding ingredients to support joint health now, you’re already behind.

Glucosamine is one of the few scientifically supported ingredients that helps to protect joint cartilage. It works by stimulating cartilage repair and regeneration, supports a reduction in inflammation and maintains healthy synovial fluid (your horse’s natural joint lubricant).

For horses and ponies in work, glucosamine isn’t a bonus, it is an essential, daily, long-term need.

Turmeric is not just a trend. It's a natural anti-inflammatory workhorse. You’ve probably seen turmeric hyped all over social media, but don’t dismiss it as fluff. When paired with black pepper (piperine) and natural oils for the best absorption results, turmeric is a potent, natural inflammation fighter.

Other preventative care

Each day you don’t manage joint stress proactively is a day lost. The good news? You can slow the clock, IF you act to prevent sooner rather than later.

Cold therapy - not just for injuries, for prevention
Hoof care - to help absorb concussion and prevent overload
Supportive nutrition - overall health AND support for joints and soft tissue
Adjusted work - when the ground is firm or uneven
Sensible turnout - prevent repeated stamping or pacing

PRACTICAL "ACTIVE" IMPROVED RECOVERY TIPS - Not just time off

Immediate action - Straight after work, cool down by walking and dousing with cold water where necessary, on the limbs and the body.
While breathing heavily, continue walking between rinses until your horse's respiratory rate normalises (8-16 breaths/minute).
Cold therapy - used for 15 to 20 minute intervals to reduce inflammation, repeated until legs feel cold to the touch. Further details in the blog above.
Ensure ample fresh water, especially after sweating.
Introduce salt/electrolytes as an option shortly after exercise and for up to 72 hours for sustained replenishment.
Targeted nutrition - Such as Joint Care Balancer fed as a mash which includes electrolytes, nucleotides, vitamin E, antioxidants  and protein to support muscle repair.

Days off shouldn’t just be turnout or rest, hoping for the best. Recovery is active management. Controlled movement such as hacking and walking in-hand promotes circulation, reduces stiffness, encourages fluid movement in the joints and eases mental fatigue.

Complimentary options such as massage and feed balancer stretching (like carrot stretches but with a better reward!) builds top line and abdominal strength. Ideally done 5 x per week, gradually working towards holding each stretch for up to 20–30 seconds.

Controlled groundwork with poles or light schooling helps reintegrate fitness while keeping concussion minimal, especially useful if returning from injury or a training break.

Blue Chip Joint Care: