The effects of three-month oral supplementation with a nutraceutical and exercise on the locomotor pattern of aged horses.
Abstract: Multiple in vitro studies assessing articular tissues have indicated that glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate may possess anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known of their clinical effects in vivo. Many old horses have stiff joints, which is likely to be attributable to inflammation and therapy with these nutraceutical compounds could improve joint function. Objective: To assess the clinical effects of a mixed supplement on the improvement of stiff gait in aged horses. Methods: Randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled study. Methods: A group of 24 geriatric equids (age 29 ± 4 years; mean ± s.d.) received either 3 months oral supplementation with a test compound (containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and methyl sulfonyl methane), or a placebo. Kinematic outcome criteria (primary: stride length; secondary: carpal flexion, fore fetlock extension and tarsal range of motion) were objectively quantified on a treadmill at a walk and trot before and after treatment. Results: Stride length did not change significantly in the treated horses at the end of the trial. In the control group, carpal flexion and fore fetlock extension were significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions: There were no indications of effect of the supplement on gait characteristics. The observations in the control group may have been due to a habituation or exercise effect. This study does not support the use of a glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate/methyl sulfonyl methane supplement to improve stiff gait in geriatric horses because of the lack of a sizeable effect. The significant changes in gait parameters in the control group may indicate the usefulness of exercise regimens in older horses.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-12-10 PubMed ID: 24011144DOI: 10.1111/evj.12182Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study evaluates the effect of a three-month oral supplementation program combined with exercise on the movement function of old horses. The supplement includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and methyl sulfonyl methane, which have shown anti-inflammatory effects. Despite showing promise in lab tests, the research concludes these supplements do not produce significant improvement in horses’ gait characteristics.
Objective and Method
The objective of the study was to determine whether a nutritional supplement could improve the joint stiffness often observed in older horses. The researchers undertook a randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled investigation. They selected 24 aged horses for the study and gave either the test supplement or a placebo for three months.
- A number of kinematic outcomes were observed and quantified, both before and post-treatment. These outcomes included stride length, carpal flexion, fore fetlock extension, and tarsal range of motion.
- The horses were required to perform these movements on a treadmill at varying paces, either walking or trotting.
Results and Conclusion
After the trial period, the researchers did not observe any significant change in stride length in the horses given the supplement. In the control group, horses showed significant increased in carpal flexion and fore fetlock extension.
- The conclusion drawn was that the supplement showed no substantial effect on the horses’ locomotion function.
- The researchers suggested that the observed improvements in the control group might be the result of habituation or the effects of exercise.
- The study does not hence support the use of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate/methyl sulfonyl methane supplement to improve stiff gait in older horses due to lack of substantial effect.
- However, it showcases the benefits of exercise as a potential treatment measure for the same, as indicated by the improvements seen in the control group.
Cite This Article
APA
Higler MH, Brommer H, L'Ami JJ, de Grauw JC, Nielen M, van Weeren PR, Laverty S, Barneveld A, Back W.
(2013).
The effects of three-month oral supplementation with a nutraceutical and exercise on the locomotor pattern of aged horses.
Equine Vet J, 46(5), 611-617.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12182 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Aging
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
- Chondroitin Sulfates / administration & dosage
- Chondroitin Sulfates / pharmacology
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Supplements
- Dimethyl Sulfoxide / administration & dosage
- Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology
- Female
- Glucosamine / administration & dosage
- Glucosamine / pharmacology
- Horses / physiology
- Locomotion / drug effects
- Locomotion / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Sulfones / administration & dosage
- Sulfones / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Yamada ALM, do Prado Vendruscolo C, Marsiglia MF, Sotelo EDP, Agreste FR, Seidel SRT, Fülber J, Baccarin RYA, da Silva LCLC. Effects of oral treatment with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in an experimental model of metacarpophalangeal osteoarthritis in horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jun 9;18(1):215.
- Briggs EV, Mazzà C. Automatic methods of hoof-on and -off detection in horses using wearable inertial sensors during walk and trot on asphalt, sand and grass. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0254813.
- Egan S, Brama P, McGrath D. Irish Equine Industry Stakeholder Perspectives of Objective Technology for Biomechanical Analyses in the Field. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 8;9(8).
- Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement. Nutrients 2017 Mar 16;9(3).
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