Horse glucosamine
Humans are not the only ones who can develop arthritis and be in need glucosamine supplements. The bodies of cats, dogs, horses etcetera are actually very similar to the human body when it comes down to basic functions such as biochemistry, cell reactions, and the intricate system of bones, muscles, and nerve cells that make us mobile. Horse glucosamine is a relatively new product on the veterinary market. Even though it is essentially the same thing as glucosamine for humans, the doses naturally have to be adjusted to suit a horse. We must also be careful with additives, since some compounds that can be tolerated by humans are unhealthy for horses.

The glucosamine in horse glucosamine supplements is normally in the form of glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine hydrochloride. It should be noted that glucosamine sulfate often contain quite a high degree of sodium. Check the label before you make a purchase, because some manufacturers of horse glucosamine sulfate include up to 30% sodium. The reason for this is that sodium will stabilise glucosamine sulfate.

Horse glucosamine is sometimes combined with chondroitin sulfate, since chondroitin is the primary GAG found in joint cartilage. Studies have shown that chondroitin sulfate can decrease inflammation in some species, including humans, but it has not yet been tested on horses in scientific trials. Since horses and humans are quite similar when it comes to cartilage biochemistry, it is however feasible to believe that chondroitin sulfate may have a beneficial effect on horse arthritis as well. The main debate regards the best way of administering chondroitin. Some studies indicate that it is difficult for the body to absorb chondroitin from the intestinal tract, and chondroitin injections or other forms of absorption may therefore be more efficient than oral supplements. No studies have yet been carried out on horses and their ability to absorb chondroitin from horse glucosamine chondroitin supplements.

Horse glucosamine supplement contains glucosamine, which is a sugar molecule that the body uses to form several different compounds, including proteoglycans. Proteoglycans make up a major part of the cartilage, which serves to protect joints from wear and tear. The chemical composition of glucosamine is C6H13NO5 which means that it contains carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. In the body, it is turned not only into proteoglycans, but into glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans as well. Glycolipids create new tissue by attaching cells to each other, and glycolipids are also responsible for keeping cell membranes stable. Glycosaminoglycans make up an important part of the connective tissue found in all vertebrates, including humans and horses.