Horses & Glucosamine

Horses can develop a condition known as osteoarthritis, which is a common form of arthritis where the cartilage in joints wears down over time. Glucosamine can be used to treat osteoarthritis in horses.

  1. Identification

    • Glucosamine is a common compound added to joint supplements used to treat arthritis and other bone and joint conditions, according to veterinarian Stacey Oke.

    Types

    • Glucosamine is available in three main types, including hydrochloride, sulfate and N-acetyl-D glucosamine.

    Treatment

    • The most common form of glucosamine treatment is through oral supplement pills.

    Effects

    • While many horse owners report that glucosamine treatment has improved the health of their horses, its effectiveness is not proven. Many veterinarians feel the dosages of glucosamine are too low to be effective in horses.

    Research

    • Many pharmaceutical and veterinary medicine groups are continuing to research the effectiveness of glucosamine, according to Oke.