Equine Joint Health Soft Chews

The Soft Chews are a fun product to administer to a horse, since this is like giving a treat to the horse as a reward. If your horse is administered treats routinely, then this dosage form is ideal, since the horse will readily eat the treat and this product could replace the current “treat” being given saving you money. However, if you do not use treats with your horse, the Soft Chews would not be recommended as the dosage form to use. If your horse does not readily eat the Chew, our recommendation is to take the 4 chews (daily dose for an average size horse) and squeeze them together to make one bigger Chew. Most horse owners have found this to be an effective way to encourage the horse to eat the Chews.

Chondroitin sulfate is a component of the viscous fluid found in all joint capsules. Pala-Tech uses methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an alternative to chondroitin sulfate and is a dietary source of sulfur. Since MSM is a small molecule, it is readily and rapidly absorbed and transported to the joint capsule. If the horse needs chondroitin sulfate, the MSM will provide the joint with the sulfur building blocks so the horse can make its own chondroitin sulfate, if that is what the joint needs. If the joint is not deficient in chondroitin sulfate, then the horse can use the MSM to make other sulfur containing beneficial nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins and immunoglobulins. This way, the MSM is not wasted and provides broader benefits to the horse. On the other hand, the ingredient chondroitin sulfate is a relatively large molecule and the absorption from the horse’s stomach and the transport of this compound to the joint capsule is questionable. Also, if the joint is not deficient in chondroitin sulfate, what happens to this ingredient…it is not used by the horse and is therefore wasted. Pala-Tech uses MSM instead of chondroitin sulfate, since it has broader clinical benefits and will be a more beneficial ingredient for the horse and the horse’s joints.

There are three primary ingredients included…1) glucosamine hydrochloride, 2) creatine monohydrate and 3) methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Each of these ingredients have proven to be beneficial to maintain healthy joints and muscles. Pala-Tech uses glucosamine hydrochloride instead of glucosamine sulfate as this form of glucosamine contains more of the active ingredient and is two times more bioavailable (absorbed), providing more benefit to the horse. Creatine is included to strengthen, tone and firm the muscles supporting the horse’s joints, which is critical since strong muscles can help alleviate the stress, pressure and friction on the joint. Therefore, this formulation is considered a musculoskeletal supplement, providing more benefits than competitive products. MSM is included as an alternative to chondroitin sulfate since this ingredient is rapidly absorbed and transported to the joint capsule for immediate results and provides broader benefits to the horse.

Creatine is necessary for the manufacture of energy required to fuel the contraction of muscle and will replenish energy in muscles and enhance muscle performance. Increasing and improving muscle strength will reduce the stress, friction and pressure on the horse’s joints along with enhancing endurance and providing additional energy. For horses that are rehabbing from an injury that has caused muscle atrophy (loss), administering creatine will help build the muscle faster and speed recovery. Including creatine makes this supplement a comprehensive musculoskeletal supplement, which provides more benefits to the horse than just a joint supplement.

The flavoring used is Pala-Tech’s proprietary and unique sweet apple and molasses flavor that horses love to eat, simplifying the administration of the daily dose and ensuring the horse consumes the complete dose. The amount of sugar included in this flavoring is only 1.5 grams/chew, so there is no concern about using this joint supplement in horses with insulin-resistance or equine metabolic syndrome.