​Is your horse’s joint supplement offering the whole mobility package?

Yes we know joints and mobility isn’t always the most interesting subject however the emerging science of biomechanics (How our horses move) directly relates to performance and welfare. This science highlights that it isn’t only the joints that need a helping hand, muscle, ligaments and tendons also need support to.

Nutrition for the joints

Equine nutrition as a whole traditionally has focused on specifically providing joint support and not much else for the tissues supporting the joint. The main nutrients used in most joint supplements are pretty well known glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, omega 3 oils and hyaluronic acid. However a healthy joint isn’t much good if the tissues that support the movement of the joint aren’t healthy!

Supporting the joint through muscles, ligaments and tendons

The joint needs physical support and that means tendons, ligaments and muscles all need to be working as nature intended. This is a largely neglected area but some modern products combine powerful antioxidants with the joint ingredients giving the supporting tissues a helping hand. However are we still missing a link here??

What is the missing link in a mobility supplement?

Chelated calcium is what stands EquiFeast apart from the rest. EquiFeast UK and Oz have conducted many mobility trials, the conclusion is that Chelated Calcium (not ordinary calcium sources) has an important role in the soft tissues involved in the whole musculo-skeletal system. The common link seems to be a cellular process called calcium signalling which is the way nearly all cells in the body are switched on and off. So how is chelated calcium used in mobility?

1. Muscles: Calcium signalling is used to tell muscles to contract. For the muscle to relax the calcium has to leave the muscle quickly. It’s not uncommon for some calcium to be left behind; causing tense muscle, short stepping gait, pain etc. Chelated calcium seems to help with the removal of calcium from the cell and lets the muscle enter the relaxation phase.
   
2. Tendons and ligaments: Tendons and ligaments also use calcium signalling. Calcium signalling is crucial for the integrity and strength of tendons and ligaments. Chelated calcium can speed up recovery from injury and may have an effect to improve the robustness of some tendons.
   
3. Bones: Chelated calcium helps with the preparation before new bone material that is laid down. Bone is a very dynamic material that is constantly adapting to its work load. And the cells that measure the workload of the bones are called osteocytes which also use calcium signalling.

CLICK HERE to see EquiFeasts Mobility products.

Don't know what Mobility product would best suit your horses? 
       Click here to speak to one of our experienced advisers.