Senior Horse Joint Health

A Practical, Evidence-Led Guide to Supporting Ageing Joints

Joint stiffness is rarely dramatic at first.

It tends to show up quietly.

A slightly longer warm-up.
A moment of hesitation stepping downhill.
A little less push from behind.

For many horses over 15, some degree of joint change is not unusual. Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) becomes increasingly common with age, involving gradual cartilage wear, low-grade inflammation of the joint lining, and adaptive changes to the underlying bone.

The question is not whether ageing occurs — it does.
The question is how we manage it intelligently.

This guide brings together what current research tells us about joint ageing, supplementation, and management, so you can build a strategy grounded in physiology rather than marketing claims.

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1. What Actually Changes Inside an Ageing Joint?

A joint is living tissue, not a mechanical hinge.

Healthy cartilage consists primarily of:

• Collagen fibres (structural framework)

• Proteoglycans (water-binding molecules)

• Water (providing elasticity and shock absorption)

Proteoglycans act like microscopic sponges. They attract and hold water within the cartilage matrix, allowing it to compress under load and rebound smoothly.

As horses age:

• Proteoglycan turnover slows

• Cartilage retains slightly less water

• Elasticity gradually declines

At the same time, the biochemical environment shifts.

Cells within the joint capsule begin producing higher levels of inflammatory signalling molecules such as:

• Interleukin-1 (IL-1)

• Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

These stimulate production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which break down collagen and proteoglycans.

This is not catastrophic failure.
It is gradual imbalance between repair and breakdown.

That imbalance is what we perceive as stiffness.

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2. Movement: The Overlooked Biochemical Tool

Cartilage has no direct blood supply.

It relies on synovial fluid for nourishment. That fluid circulates when the joint is loaded and unloaded — every step functions as a pump.

When a horse stands still for prolonged periods:

• Synovial fluid circulation slows

• Waste products accumulate locally

• Inflammatory mediators clear less efficiently

This helps explain the classic pattern: stiff at first movement, better once warmed up.

Practical implications:

• Consistent low-level movement supports joint chemistry

• Long periods of inactivity may worsen stiffness

• Simple stable adjustments (e.g. multiple forage points) can encourage overnight movement

Movement is not just mechanical — it regulates joint biology.

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3. Muscle: The Joint’s Silent Support System

Joints do not operate in isolation. They are stabilised by muscle.

With age, muscle protein synthesis becomes less efficient. Even when calorie intake is adequate, older horses may gradually lose topline and hindquarter muscle mass.

This matters because:

• Muscle absorbs mechanical load

• Reduced muscle increases stress on cartilage

• Contracting muscle releases anti-inflammatory signalling molecules (myokines)

Loss of muscle support can make joints appear worse than they structurally are.

Nutrition plays a role here. Crude protein percentage is not enough — essential amino acids (particularly lysine) must be present in sufficient quantities to support muscle maintenance.

Joint care, therefore, includes muscle support.

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4. Oxidative Stress: The Invisible Influence

Every cell produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), sometimes called free radicals, during normal metabolism.

In balanced amounts, they are harmless.
When production exceeds antioxidant defences, oxidative stress occurs.

Within joint tissues, oxidative stress can:

• Damage collagen

• Alter proteoglycan structure

• Amplify inflammatory signalling

Vitamin E is central here. It protects cell membranes from oxidative damage.

Fresh pasture contains significant vitamin E. Stored forage contains much less.

Older horses consuming predominantly hay-based diets may therefore have reduced antioxidant buffering capacity — particularly if still in light or moderate work.

Maintaining adequate antioxidant status supports cellular resilience.

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5. Structural Support: What the Research Really Shows

Joint supplements often include:

• Glucosamine

• Chondroitin sulphate

• MSM

• Hyaluronic acid (HA)

Research on single ingredients has produced mixed results. Oral bioavailability of glucosamine, for example, appears limited in some studies, with low circulating levels after ingestion.

However, when included as part of multi-ingredient formulations, research has shown more consistent measurable improvements than with single ingredients alone.

Clinical outcomes reported in trials include:

• Improved flexion test response

• Reduced mild lameness scores

• Lower levels of inflammatory mediators such as PGE2

• Changes in synovial fluid biomarkers

The likely explanation is synergy.

Joint ageing is multi-pathway. Structural degradation, inflammation, and lubrication are interconnected processes. Addressing all three tends to be more effective than targeting one in isolation.

Typical study doses associated with improvement have included approximately:

• 10g glucosamine daily

• 4–6g chondroitin sulphate daily

Dose, formulation quality, and consistency matter.

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6. Hyaluronic Acid: From Skepticism to Evidence

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major component of synovial fluid — the “oil” of the joint.

For years, there was skepticism about oral HA. The molecule is relatively large, and many assumed it would be digested before absorption.

Research has since demonstrated that oral HA can increase circulating HA levels. In some studies, daily oral supplementation produced measurable systemic increases and improvements in joint effusion (swelling) in post-surgical cases.

HA contributes to:

• Synovial fluid viscosity

• Shock absorption

• Reduced inflammatory signalling within the joint lining

It supports the lubrication pillar of joint health.

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7. Inflammation Modulation: Botanicals in Context

Botanical ingredients often fall into the “less clear-cut” category.

Boswellia

Influences leukotriene pathways through 5-lipoxygenase inhibition. Some equine studies show improved mobility scores.

Devil’s Claw

Contains harpagosides associated with mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory models but has extremely low oral bioavailability unless combined with fat and absorption enhancers such as piperine.

Without appropriate formulation, turmeric may have limited systemic effect.

An important consideration:
Natural does not automatically mean competition-safe.

Devil’s claw, in particular, may fall under NOPS (Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances) guidance depending on governing body. Affiliated competition horses require careful review of regulatory status before use.

Botanicals influence the inflammation pillar.
They do not rebuild cartilage.

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8. Expectation Management

Cartilage turnover is slow.

Most equine trials evaluating joint supplements ran for 4–8 weeks before measurable outcomes were assessed.

Stopping supplementation after 10–14 days rarely provides meaningful evaluation.

Underdosing below research levels may also produce limited visible change.

Consistency, correct dosing, and realistic timeframes matter.

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9. A Practical Framework: The Three Pillars

Effective joint support rests on three interconnected pillars:

Structure

Supporting cartilage matrix integrity (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM).

Inflammation

Modulating inflammatory mediators such as PGE2 and leukotrienes (MSM, boswellia, devil’s claw, properly formulated curcumin).

Lubrication

Supporting synovial fluid viscosity (hyaluronic acid).

No single ingredient addresses all three.

More expensive does not automatically mean better.
Better means appropriate for the individual horse.

Some senior balancers include joint-supporting ingredients at modest levels. In certain cases, this may reduce the need for additional supplementation — provided total daily intake aligns with meaningful thresholds.

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Final Thoughts

Ageing joints are not a failure. They are a predictable biological process.

Understanding the physiology allows for calm, sensible decision-making rather than reactive changes.

Joint comfort improves when:

• Diet is balanced

• Muscle is supported

• Movement is encouraged

• Inflammation is moderated

• Lubrication is maintained

If you would like to explore the joint support options we stock, you can view the full range here:

[View Our Joint Support Category]

And if you’d like to talk through what might suit your own horse, we’re always happy to help.