In this blog, we discuss several options for pain support for your horse, focusing on pain in muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Please note: This blog cannot replace veterinary advice!
Homeopathic pain relief for horses
There are homeopathic remedies available for horses that can have a pain-relieving effect. For example, products like Traumeel provide supportive effects for both acute and chronic joint problems. There is also a gel for external use. It is recommended to combine Traumeel tablets with Zeel, which primarily affects bones and joints, while Traumeel supports muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This combination can be very effective in supporting horses with osteoarthritis.
Herbal supplements as pain relief for horses
Several herbs have proven pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory effects, such as Boswellia serrata (frankincense), Devil’s Claw, Curcumin, Blackcurrant leaf, Ginger, Yucca filamentosa, green tea, lavender, and rosemary. Many herbal supplements contain a blend of these substances to support horses with osteoarthritis. Examples include Horseflex Boswellia, Synopet, and Nutrilabs Devil’s Turmeric.
The supplement closest to a true painkiller is Puur Dolor. Always consult your vet before giving this to your horse.
Synopet also contains green-lipped mussel, which provides building blocks for joint cartilage and fatty acids with anti-inflammatory effects.
Joint-supporting supplements for horses
Besides homeopathic and herbal anti-inflammatory products, there are supplements with joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine glycanes, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids. These substances support joint cartilage health and protect cartilage from damage and collagen breakdown, helping to maintain healthy joints longer and slow osteoarthritis development. These products are mainly preventative; once osteoarthritis is present, additional treatment is often necessary.
Examples of such products include Puur Glucosamine Extra Paard, HorseFlex JointPower, and Equistro Flexadin UCII. Many combine natural body substances with herbs.
Important: The first step when suspecting pain is always to contact your veterinarian. Do not start supplements on your own without knowing the cause, as this may delay the proper treatment and lead to further damage.
If you have questions, contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk