Last Updated on December 26, 2022
As we age, we begin to feel aches and pains that didn’t show themselves when we were children. The same thing happens with horses as they age. So, what are the best joint supplement for horses? Both people and horses can use vitamins and supplements to help with these newfound achy joints. Many horses are on different kinds of supplements, the most common of which are joint supplements.
In this article, I am going to be reviewing some of the best joint supplements that can be found on Amazon, for easy access to horse owners! These supplements include Cosequin NutraMax ASU Equine Powder, Farnam Next Level Joint Fluid Supplement, Vita Flex MSM Ultra Pure, WF Young Flex+Max Pellets, and AniMed Pureflex W/HA.
5 Best Joint Supplement for Horses
#1 Cosequin NutraMax ASU Equine Powder
The first of these is Cosequin NutraMax ASU Equine Powder. Cosequin is one of the top equine supplement brands on the market, and it is most renowned for its joint supplements. Cosequin NutraMax ASU is its top of the line equine joint supplement.
It includes basic horse joint supplement ingredients such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine but has the added benefits of ASU. ASU stands for avocado/soybean unsaponifiable. This added ingredient helps … “protect cartilage and support joint function.” ASU is specifically designed to help generate cell growth and health in cartilage.
NutraMax ASU is a powder supplement that can be mixed with a horse’s other supplements into grain or oats at mealtime. It can be good for older horses that have never been on a joint supplement, or for any horse that has already worn-down joints. Cosequin NutraMax ASU Equine Powder can be purchased on Amazon here.
Pros
- Reliable brand
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
- Specific uses
#2 Farnam Next Level Joint Fluid Supplement
The second best joint supplement for horses I will be discussing is Farnam Next Level Joint Fluid Supplement. Farnam is also a renowned supplier of animal health and wellness products. Including supplements and veterinary supplies.
Next Level has a few key characteristics that make it attractive to consumers. The first of these is that it can be used for horses as well as dogs. Lots of horse owners are also dog owners, and many large dogs also have joint problems as they age. Next Level can be the one-stop-shop for a farm owner’s joint supplement needs.
Another attractive characteristic of Next Level Joint Fluid is that it is a liquid. Many animals prefer a liquid supplement in their food versus a powder or pellet supplement. For picky eaters, the liquid joint supplement is more difficult to detect, and therefore they eat it without realizing it. This equine joint supplement can be good for horses needing a little more joint support as they age, horses that are picky eaters, and for horse owners looking to treat both their horses and their dogs. Purchase Farnam Next Level Joint Fluid Supplement on Amazon here.
Pros
- For horses and dogs
- Reliable brand
- Liquid (can be good or bad)
Cons
- Expensive
- Liquid (can be good or bad)
Other Best Joint Supplement for Horses
#3 Vita Flex MSM Ultra Pure
The third horse joint supplement I will be discussing is Vita Flex MSM Ultra Pure. Vita Flex is a somewhat smaller name in the equine health and wellness industry than Farnam and Cosequin. They produce equine supplements and veterinary products, similar to Farnam.
Vita Flex MSM Ultra Pure is a joint supplement made from Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which is a naturally occurring sulfur in our bodies and in animals’ bodies. Ultra Pure can be given to horses, dogs, cats, and many other small and large animals since MSM occurs naturally in all of their bodies.
Ultra Pure is a white granular substance, almost salt-like in appearance. It can be mixed with an animal’s food or treats for consumption. Ultra Pure is also sold at a lower price point than many joint supplements, including Cosequin. It is a favorite of farm-owners on a budget that wants to treat many different animals, including their horses. You can purchase Vita Flex MSM Ultra Pure on Amazon here.
Pros
- Less expensive
- Used on many animals
Cons
- The brand is not as well known
#4 WF Young Flex+Max Pellets
The fourth joint supplement I will be discussing is WF Young Flex+Max Pellets. Flex+Max is an Absorbine product and comes in pellet forms. Absorbine is a renowned horse care brand, making grooming supplies fly sprays, though their supplements are not as well known.
Flex+Max contains both glucosamine and MSM, similar to Ultra-Pure and NutraMax ASU. It also includes flaxseed and rice bran, to make it taste similar to, or at least blend in with a horse’s grain.
Flex+Max is designed only for equine consumption and is a good base supplement for horses that are beginning to age. It is the most cost-efficient out of the four supplements reviewed so far, ranging from $25-27 a month, and $55 for two months. Flex+Max is a favorite of horse owners looking to supplement their horses on a budget or barn owners looking to supplement many horses affordably. You can purchase WF Young Flex+Max Pellets on Amazon here.
Pros
- Least expensive
Cons
- Brand not known for supplements
- Only for horses
#5 AniMed Pureflex W/HA
The last supplement for horse joints I will be discussing is AniMed Pureflex W/HA. Pureflex is sold at a price point comparable to Flex+Max, although it can be even cheaper, depending on what dosage of the supplement your horse receives. AniMed is also a brand known for making animal health and wellness products, as well as veterinary supplies.
Pureflex includes MSM and Glucosamine, similar to Vita Flex and NutraMax. It comes in powder form and is easy to mix in with a horse’s grain or oats. Pureflex is designed to maximize joint comfort and usage for senior horses with aging bodies. You can purchase AniMed Pureflex W/HA on Amazon here.
Pros
- Least expensive
Cons
- Limited uses (senior horses)
- Smaller brand (still reliable)
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many options when choosing the best joint supplement for horses to give your aging horse. Make sure you do your research about the ingredients and always consult your vet before choosing which one is best for you and your horse. I hope this article helped shed some light on some of the most popular equine joint supplements available for you to purchase on Amazon. Please share this article, and share your experiences with these supplements with us!
Are joint supplements effective in horses?
Research and anecdotal evidence have shown that supplements improve mobility, range of motion and performance in horses with joint issues. Although this may be true for certain joint supplements, in most cases it is not. Joint supplements are not a replacement for the exercise and care that a horse should be getting. Joint supplements are usually a temporary solution for joint problems. They can be effective in reducing inflammation, but are not the answer for the long term health of a horse. A recent study by W.M. H. Smith and his team of scientists found that horses are able to take in the same amount of nutrients from supplements as they would from a complete feed.
What is the most effective joint supplement for horses?
If you want to improve the mobility of your horse’s joints, then you need to look at supplements that contain glucosamine. It is the most well studied ingredient in joint supplements. It comes as either glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride. Both are effective. Glucosamine is the basic building block of all connective tissues, including cartilage, in all forms of life. It is also an important component of synovial fluid and is necessary for proper joint function. In recent years, glucosamine has been a popular treatment for osteoarthritis. Studies have found that glucosamine taken in conjunction with exercise can slow the progression of the disease and may improve the pain associated with it.
Is glucosamine good for horses with arthritis?
For horses with arthritis, glucosamine can be very beneficial. It can act as a potent anti-inflammatory and it helps reduce pain, which makes the horse more comfortable. It can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Glucosamine for horses is available on the market in the form of supplements. The supplement comes in capsules, and usually it is used for a minimum of 6 months. If you are using glucosamine for horses, it is important to use only the right dosage. Too little will not be effective, but too much will also not be helpful. It is important to take glucosamine for horses only when the horse is actually suffering from arthritis. If you are using it for a horse that is not suffering from arthritis, you will not be getting any benefits from it.
Are horse supplements a waste of money?
Horses are very complex animals. You can’t just throw a bunch of cheap ingredients into a feed and expect them to work. You have to know what your horse needs, and you have to pay attention to the results. Buying a supplement for your horse doesn’t seem complicated. If you don’t do a bit of research beforehand, you might end up with the wrong supplement for your horse’s needs. That, at best, is a waste of money. At worst it could create nutritional imbalances that adversely affect your horse’s health. Therefore, before you decide to purchase a horse supplement, it’s important to first do some research and find out what your horse needs.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
