Dried cabbage and Kale, can help your horse produce it's own Glucosamine for it's joints. The cabbage is full of the amino acid, L-Glutamine, this along with Kale (sulfur), is what the body uses to make joint fluid. You feed 1/2 cup of dried cabbage/Kale. I have found this to be the effective. You can get the dried cabbage at www.harmonyhousefoods.com or dry your own. I use this along with joint supplements. I have seen great results in feeding this way. I have been able inject her joints less often.
New research has found that the herb Rosa Canina, or better known as Rose hips, can reduce inflammation in the joints. The research in a double blind study showed horses given 210 grams of Rosa Canina every day showed better movement and less pain than horses who did not receive the herb. This herb has shown to be effective in human studies and now it has been shown to be effective in horses too. You can get it in powder and give 2 - 4 tablespoons per day from www.glenbrookfarm.com/herbs.
Another great anti-inflammatory is Fenugreek. I feed 2 tablespoons per day. This is also from Glenbrook.
Research has proven efficacy of the use of omega-3 fatty acids to inhibit enzymes that break down the cartilage matrix. In a three- to four-month period, horses supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids seemed to have less stiffness and pain related to osteoarthritis. You can add Omega- 3 to your horses system, by adding 1/2 cup ground Chia seeds, 1 cup of ground flax, and/or Stablized Rice Bran. I grind the seeds myself with a small coffee grinder.
A great healing food for all athletes are raw hulled pumpkin seeds. They are high in nitric oxide which will heal anything that needs it. You can get the pumpkin seeds from www.bulkfoods.com Soak a 1/2 cup in water for 8 hours, drain, then feed the following day. You can soak them with the soy beans. I eat some myself and give a few to my dogs too. If you don't want to deal with seeds, you can order pumpkin seed powder from Glenbrook. I give 2 tablespoons.
Natural sources of Vitamin C. This is great for healing everything. There are several ways to feed this. You can slice Oranges, feed Orange peel powder, Grape seed powder, Green Tea powder, Turmeric powder, and/or Barley grass. Do not use synthetic Absorbic Acid. It is not digestable.
Here is what I feed my athletic horses to help them perform at their best. I split these amounts and feed AM and PM. You can decide to feed whichever you would like. As with all feed changes, you should take 7 - 10 days to work up to the suggested amounts.
Foods and supplements to help athletic horses:
1 or 2 squirts of LubriSyn (Hyaluronic Acid increases joint fluid)
1/2 cup soy beans (soaked/drained) or 2 cups Soy Bean meal/pellets (high protein for amino acids),
1 cup Rice Bran (Omega 3's)
1/2 cup ground flax seeds ( Omega 3's),
1/2 cup dried cabbage or 1 Tablespoon Cabbage powder (L-Glutamine makes glucosamine for the joints)
1 Tablespoon of Fenugreek (anti-inflammatory)
1/2 cup soaked pumpkin seeds or 2 T of powder (heals everything)
1/2 Orange or 1 Tablespoon Orange peel powder (Vit. C)
1 cup of Barley grass (Vit. C)
It is important for the soundness of the horse to do everything that we can to help them perform. Most "horse" products on the market are expensive with a 200 - 500% mark up and recent studies have shown that many do not even contain the amounts of additives they claim. With the above things, I believe they help the joints, thus my horse is staying more comfortable, performing better, and having a longer career.
