Evaluating the evidence for joint supplements in horses and their role in maintaining comfort and mobility.
Horses with joint pain experience significant welfare compromise, including reduced willingness to work, altered gait, and behavioral changes indicating discomfort. Joint supplements may support comfort in some horses, but they are not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Owners should seek professional assessment of lameness before relying on supplements alone, and should monitor for genuine improvement in movement and demeanor rather than assuming products work.