JOINTS AND TENDONS

It is assumed that those horses indicated as normal horses are the animals that in all likelihood would be able to derive satisfactory nutrition from complete feeds, although when horses are breeding, there is an increased requirement – particularly in pregnant mares - for more nutrients. In the case of the various different types of performance horses, the activity of these horses, in virtually every case, has an impact upon the skeletal structure because of the performance requiring the horse to exercise its mobility as dictated by the particular sport.

A particular area of the locomotive system which is subjected to pressure during performance, is the joints and tendons. When we specifically consider joints and tendons, there are certain characteristics which should be recognized as playing an important role in the health and maintenance of these structures.

Joints and tendons consist of collagen and cartilage. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue composed of mucopolysacharides (e.g. chondroitin sulphate), protein substances, calcium, sulphur and collagen. Collagen is one of the proteins found in most connective tissues including cartilage, bone and skin. Gelatin is a form of collagen commonly used in foods, and preliminary reports suggest that consuming
gelatin can improve the structure and health of hair and hooves. An important factor concerning both joints and tendons is that the blood supply to these structures is limited. It is often for this reason that treatments that need to be applied to joints are injected directly into the joint. If the treatment had been applied systemically to the animal, the penetration of that treatment ingredient into the joints is limited by the blood circulation to joints and tendons. For this reason, when injuries occur to joints or tendons, it is recognized that a major requirement for recovery from those injuries - is rest and/or controlled exercise.

In our attempts to assist in the repair and maintenance of injured joints or tendons, the treatments that are normally applied include rest, massage (– to increase the blood circulation to an injured area), electrical stimulation (– to achieve the same objective as massage) and then anti-inflammatory treatments. Anti-inflammatory can be simply the utilization of alternating hot and cold water to an area where there is swelling. In general where there is swelling in joints or tendons, this is often associated with pain and is indicative of an accumulation of liquid either in the joint or tendon. If infections occur in these areas, this is particularly problematical. Again this is related to the limited blood supply to that area and may require antimicrobial treatment directly into the affected area. Veterinary treatment always includes the use of anti-inflammatories.

However, there are some specific nutrients which can be supplemented in the diet that supply the body with immediate nutrients that contribute to repair and maintenance. The best known of these nutrients are chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine (as one of its salts) and MSM. An associated industry where the level of nutrition is considered very high, is pet nutrition. If one examines some of the more expensive and sophisticated pet foods – particularly those brands that are sold
through the veterinary profession, and one specifically looks at the label of the product, it is interesting to note that several of the different brands of dog food are now including the nutrients mentioned above. In addition there are several other nutrients that are also included in pet foods like antioxidants, dental care enhancers, immune stimulants, etc. This indicates that although the level of sophistication of dog foods has reached a high level, the companies producing those foods still consider it beneficial to supplement the foods with e.g. chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine and/or MSM.

In considering these 3 nutrients, there are some interesting aspects to them. Chondroitin sulphate consists of repeating chains of molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s). Chondroitin
sulphate is also a major constituent of cartilage and it is also rich in sulfur plus it is related to glucosamine. The only significant crude source of chondroitin sulphate is to extract it from animal cartilage (primary sources being either shark or bovine cartilage). However, it should be recognised that the body does make chondroitin and therefore it is doubtful whether there is any dietary deficiency.
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However, once pressure is placed on joints and tendons, the requirement for increased quantities of chondroitin sulphate in the body -to allow for repair and maintenance - is undisputed. In humans, oral chondroitin sulphate is rapidly absorbed when it is dissolved in water prior to ingestion. However, approximately 12 % of the chondroitin sulphate taken by mouth becomes available to joint tissues from the blood1.

Glucosamine is an important building block needed by the body to manufacture specialised molecules
called glycosaminoglycans (GAG’s). Glucosamine as such is not present in significant amounts in most
diets. The typical supplemental sources are derived from shells of shrimp, lobster and crab (or this
nutrient is manufactured synthetically). Glucosamine is available in several forms, e.g. glucosamine
sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride and other salts, but in humans - glucosamine sulphate is the only
form clearly shown in clinical trials to be effective for osteoarthritis.5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Glucosamine is a much smaller and simpler molecule than chondroitin sulphate and is readily water soluble. Methyl-sulphonyl-methane (MSM) is a naturally occurring, organic, sulphur containing compound related to another sulphur-containing substance, di-methylsulphoxide (DMSO) – which is also a well known active ingredient that promotes the absorption of chemicals through the skin. MSM is found in small amounts throughout nature and has been detected in small amounts in the blood and urine of humans. A precursor of MSM is formed initially by ocean plankton and released into the atmosphere, where it interacts with ozone and sunlight and returns to earth as MSM in rainfall. MSM can be taken up by plants and incorporated into their structure, but no measurement of MSM content of foods has been done.

Animal studies have shown that sulphur from oral supplements of MSM is incorporated into body
proteins2. Animal studies have also reported that joints affected by osteoarthritis have lower sulfur
content and mice with arthritis given MSM, experience less joint deterioration.3,4 Stride Distributors CC markets two formulations that include the nutrients chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate and MSM. These are RIGLY GLUCO LUBE which is a water based solution.

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Info from Website: www.stridedistributors.co.za

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