Table of Contents
The equine supplement industry is vast. There’s a supplement to promote every kind of vitality and prevent every kind of problem your horse might have – from keeping his coat shiny and hooves healthy, to his weight and energy management.
But one of the most important types of equine supplements is for joint health. A quality equine joint supplement has the potential to reduce inflammation and lubricate joints.
But, finding the right joint supplement for your horse can be tricky.
When searching for the right equine joint supplements in Canada, the U.S. or anywhere, it’s essential that you choose a product that:
- Comes from a reputable source
- Contains high-quality ingredients, and
- is backed by research proving that it works
We compiled a list of the top equine joint supplements from Canada and the U.S. to help you make the best decision for your horse’s health and wellbeing.
Let’s get started.
Our Evaluation Criteria – How We Chose Our Favourites
We have ranked the following products with several things in mind.
- Price
- Ingredients
- Product range
- Product benefits
- Manufacturing & Sustainability
- Manufacturer Registration & Licensing
- Side effects (if any)
- Customer Service/Post-sale support
Price
Price is the most obvious factor to consider, but shouldn’t be the most essential criterion. Every horse owner knows that the cheapest isn’t always the best – and we spend upwards of $9000 per year on our ponies, eventers, and broodmares. Still, it’s important to choose an equine joint supplement that is the best value for money.
Ingredients
When choosing equine joint supplements in Canada, you’ve got to know how to read a supplement label and understand exactly what’s listed in the ingredients.
There are three essential, science-backed ingredients to look for in equine joint supplements :
- Glucosamine
- M.S.M. (Methylsulfonylmethane)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound found in cartilage. As a supplement, glucosamine has the ability to repair cartilage. This necessary ingredient reduces inflammation and reduces pain in the joints – especially when paired with chondroitin.
Chondroitin Sulfate works alongside glucosamine as an anti-inflammatory and regenerator of damaged joint tissue. Many studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin work together as a powerful reparative equine joint supplement.
MSM also aids in reducing inflammation and is a popular ingredient in equine joint health supplements.
Product Range
How broad or limited are the products of each brand? Does the brand specialize in products for a few different breeds or species? Knowing that your product comes from a leading brand that specializes in joint health for a range of equine disciplines is a good sign that the product will be beneficial.
Product Benefits
How will this product benefit your horse? Check what the provider says about the benefits of their product – do they use scientific research and case studies to support their marketing messages?
Manufacturing & Sustainability
If you’re interested in purchasing sustainable products from companies that follow ethical manufacturing practices, this is a criterion to look out for. An easy way to ensure sustainability is to check if an equine joint supplement’s packaging is recyclable.
Manufacturer Registration & Licensing
Equine medicines without valid manufacturing registration or licensing can be hazardous. What’s even more frightening is that ‘knock-offs’ are everywhere. Beware of ordering online from places that sell everything – meaning, they don’t specialize in equine health.
Side Effects
Some supplements have so many ingredients that you put your horse at risk of an allergic reaction or negative side effect. It’s essential to pay attention to active and inactive ingredients in any product.
Being inactive means that the ingredient does not offer any therapeutic benefit or intensify the active ingredients. Inactive ingredients are still part of the recipe and can cause possible adverse reactions.
Customer Service/ Post-Sale Support
You should expect to be able to contact a company selling equine joint supplements and receive assistance with returns or how to use the product.
Now that you know our criteria, here are our best picks for equine joint supplements for sports horses.
Best Equine Joint Supplements for Sports Horses
- Integricare TRI-ACTA H.A. Equine Supplement
- Pureform Glucosamine Plus
- Absorbine Flex + Max Joint Health Supplement
- Equithrive Complete Joint Pellets
- Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness Performance Supplement
1. Integricare – TRI-ACTA H.A. Maximum Strength
If you’re looking for equine joint supplements in Canada, look no further.
Integricare’s TRI-ACTA H.A. is unique in that we only use active ingredients in all our products.
This can help ensure optimal sport horse performance as your eventer absorbs all of the necessary ingredients to aid in joint health and cartilage support, lubrication and regeneration.
TRI-ACTA H.A. is a maximum strength powder supplement specifically formulated for horses that are:
- Ageing
- Experiencing arthritis
- Training
- Competing
- Under a heavy workload
Integricare’s TRI-ACTA H.A. is made up of only five active ingredients:
- Glucosamine HCl
- Glucosamine Sulfate
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Methyl Sulfonyl Methane
- Hyaluronic Acid
The advantage of using products from Integricare, particularly the TRI-ACTA H.A., is that the product contains 100% active ingredients. This means no filler or extra ingredients – just an all-natural, potent dose of ingredients that are proven to provide optimal equine joint support.
The high concentration of active ingredients makes this product economical for every horse owner, with only a small serving size required to give your horse the ultimate joint protection.
Integricare follows GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and is approved as a Low-Risk Veterinary Health Product (LRVHP).
TRI-ACTA H.A. for Equine
Our maximum strength formula is perfect for horses that are ageing, experiencing arthritis and stiffness, are in training and competition, or under a heavy workload.
2. Pureform – Glucosamine Plus
Pureform, another manufacturer and distributor of equine joint supplements here in Canada, offers Glucosamine Plus.
Just as the name suggests, this product has significant amounts of Glucosamine HCl and MSM. Both are very important for equine joint health and this product boasts many positive reviews from horse owners who have seen tremendous results.
However, it’s important to note that this product does not contain chondroitin.
Studies have shown that Glucosamine is much more effective when used in combination with Chondroitin Sulfate. Therefore, it’s possible that this product does not provide the same results offered by equine joint supplements containing both Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
Pureform also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E and molasses for flavour. Ideally, horses can get all of the vitamins they need from grazing the pasture and quality feed.
Vitamin E can aid in coat and skin health and appearance. It is worth noting that vitamins can prevent the absorption of other fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, and K. Be mindful of this when choosing an equine joint supplement.
3. Absorbine – Flex + Max Joint Health Supplement
Absorbine’s Flex + Max comes in pellet form and has all of the best equine joint supplements’ building blocks: Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, along with Boswellia Serrata and rice bran.
Boswellia serrata has been known to help decrease inflammation since medieval times. Rice bran is another story – it can be made up of about 20% starch!
Starch is not helpful for horses in general. Starchy things like corn and rice meal can lead to overeating and weight gain. Sometimes weight gain is acceptable in pet horses, but it’s not ideal for sport horses with strict regimens. Keep an eye on their weight with this one!
You can check out the full-scale ingredients analysis to see exactly what each ingredient does in this product, which is very useful!
4. Equithrive – Complete Joint Pellets
We must admit, Equithrive Complete Joint pellets have beautiful packaging.
It also includes the active ingredients for joint supplements that we love, including Glucosamine HCl, Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid.
Equithrive contains an incredible anti-inflammatory antioxidant called Resverasyn, which is 99% Resveratrol.
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a phytophenol. Though phytophenol is naturally derived, it isn’t part of a natural grazing horse’s diet. The phytophenol resveratrol has been proven beneficial in humans, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It has even been used for heart and brain support.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any significant evidence that suggests that Resveratrol lends much of a benefit to horses.
Equithrive includes several inactive ingredients like vegetable oil, flaxseed oil, flaxseed meal, water, yeast culture and natural flavours. Again, this is fine as long as you can keep every other part of your horse’s diet in check. Too much fat can lead to weight gain and possible toxicity.
5. San Juan Ranch – Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness Performance Supplement
As the most expensive of all the products we’ve covered, Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness Supplement does pack a lot of ingredients into this supplement. Sometimes a performance supplement can go too far – more is not always better.
San Juan Ranch’s Ultra Cruz has the best intentions with this vitamin-packed equine joint supplement. With massive amounts of vitamin D3 and Vitamin A at 22,255 IU. Considering the daily dose for a 500kg (1,100lb) horse at rest is 15,000 and 22,500 for a working horse, this supplement seems to be teetering on the edge of over supplementing.
Over-supplementing Vitamin A can cause accumulation in the liver.
Though increasing vitamin A is sometimes necessary for cold months when there is no green grass to be had when your horse is grazing naturally, they could be at risk of over supplementing Vitamin A.
Ultra Cruz has a long list of inactive ingredients like molasses, pea protein, montmorillonite clay, apple powder, rice bran and Vitamin A palmitate. As if there wasn’t enough vitamin A in the active ingredients. Sometimes more is just more, not better.
| Vitamin | Over supplementation signs |
| Vitamin A |
|
| Vitamin D |
|
| Vitamin E |
|
| Vitamin K |
|
Best Equine Joint Supplements for Domestic Horses
- Integricare TRI-ACTA Equine Supplement
- Ramard Total Joint Care
- Mojo Joint Horse Supplements
- SmartPak Equine SmartFlex Ultra Pellets
- EQUI-EEZ by Purina
1. Integricare – TRI-ACTA Original
Horses need a healthy balance of quality feed and other fibrous feeds like hay and natural grazing. Adding too much extra junk into an equine joint supplement will only prevent a horse from getting all of the additional necessary nutrition in its daily diet.
With Integricare’s regular strength TRI-ACTA, there is no false advertising – just straight-up honest and effective ingredients.
The customer will get exactly what they have purchased, a quality product that will:
- Promote mobility and flexibility for a healthy stride
- Maintain collagen and connective tissues
- Decrease stiffness
- Encourage & maintain healthy cartilage
- Protect and cushion joints
Canada’s equine joint supplement, Integricare’s TRI-ACTA, is a powder that is mixed with your horse’s food once a day. TRI-ACTA contains ONLY four ingredients, two are different types of glucosamine, and all are essential and active in the health of your horse’s joints. Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM are all that’s in TRI-ACTA; this results in a few things.
- Value – You’re not spending your money on anything but the active ingredients with this Canadian equine joint supplement!
- Efficiency – You can rest assured that every ingredient in TRI-ACTA will revitalize your horse’s precious joints.
- Purity – No unexpected side effects from fillers and unnecessary ingredients
Besides the selling point of ONLY having active ingredients, TRI-ACTA is also made of all pharmaceutical grade materials and is a Health Canada approved Veterinary Health Product.
TRI-ACTA is the most effective and our top choice for equine joint supplements, not only in Canada but the U.S. as well.
If only every product included 100% active ingredients, think of how many adverse side effects and allergy interactions we could avoid.
2. Ramard – Total Joint Care Performance
Ramard is an American manufacturer and distributor of health performance products for horses and pets alike. Ramard’s Total Joint Care is a close contender, with all of the “good stuff” we like to see in an equine joint supplement: Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin, Hyaluronic Acid, and Ascorbic Acid.
Though Ramard’s product does contain all of the right things for a worthwhile equine joint supplement, it has only 6000mg of the beneficial ingredient: Glucosamine.
But, it does boast the benefits of an all-natural equine joint supplement with no fillers or additives.
3. Mojo Joint – Horse Supplements
Mojo Joint specializes in dog and equine joint supplements. Mojo Joint’s equine supplements have many of the building blocks for cartilage health along with their cool name. The only thing they are missing is the key ingredient, Chondroitin.
Studies have shown that Glucosamine is more effective if used with Chondroitin.
Without it, horse owners can’t guarantee that their equine joint supplement delivers optimal support and protection.
This product comes with a lot of additions as well. Horse owners will likely be wary of these ingredients, especially one labelled “binder”.
It is critical to know what you are feeding your horse to keep them healthy and strong.
4. SmartPak Equine SmartFlex Ultra Pellets
SmartPak is all about horses. From gear and tack to fly control and equine joint supplements, they sell everything equine. Smartflex pellets are affordable and contain the five top ingredients for joint health—Glucosamine HCl, Chondroitin, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, along with collagen and Vitamin C.
The inactive ingredients include alfalfa meal, corn distiller’s dried grains and a preservative called sodium propionate, and vegetable oil.
These are not harmful ingredients in moderation. There is only an issue if there is no balance in the remainder of a horse’s diet.
Starchy vegetables aren’t always the best option for horses, especially in excess. Horses enjoy dried grains all day long in their feed; adding corn, grains or preservatives to a supplement could prove to be a waste of precious belly space in your equine animal on top of their regular diet.
5. EQUI-EEZ – Purina Equine Canada
Purina Equine Canada Equi-EEZ is affordable and full of numerous vitamins and minerals, but are they all valuable and will they all be utilized by your horse?
We’d like to keep things simple, but that isn’t always possible with all the care, and attention horses need, particularly to their diet. Vitamins are great but is there such a thing as too much?
There is also the issue of waste. Horses’ digestive systems don’t always get a chance to absorb the vitamins they ingest because they don’t hold onto them long enough. Horses have a tiny stomach compared to their massive bodies.
A horse’s stomach makes up only about 7% of the digestive system. This is why they must eat so often and need a carefully constructed diet with vitamins and minerals that complement each other.
For example, Biotin is found in most hoof supplements as it can significantly improve hoof quality. However, for biotin to be used efficiently for hoof repair, it must be accompanied by a sulphur bearing amino acid called methionine. Without methionine, the biotin becomes ineffective and will just pass through the horse without absorption. This doesn’t necessarily put the horse at risk for toxicity in itself, but it is a waste of money.
Dosage Cost of Equine Supplement Canada
Now that you’ve been given a rundown of the different types of supplements available, you’re likely asking yourself, “what will it cost me to include equine supplements into my horse’s diet each day?”
Don’t worry, we’re not going to leave you to do that math yourself. We’ve created a table to provide you with some extra guidance when budgeting your equine joint supplement of choice.
Equine Joint Supplement Daily Dosage for Sports Horses
| Supplement | Cost per day |
| Integricare TRI-ACTA H.A. Maximum Strength | $ 2.57 |
| Pureform Glucosamine Plus | $ 2.53 |
| Absorbine Flex + Max Joint Health Supplement | $ 2.38 |
| Equithrive Complete Joint Pellets | $ 2.35 |
| Ultra Cruz Equine Wellness Performance Supplement | $ 2.91 |
Equine Joint Supplement Daily Dosage for Domestic Horses
| Supplement | Cost per day |
| Integricare TRI-ACTA Original | $ 1.73 |
| Ramard Total Joint Care Performance | $2.16 |
| Mojo Joint – Horse Supplements | $ 1.52 |
| SmartPak Equine SmartFlex Ultra Pellets | $ 2.07 |
| EQUI-EEZ by Purina | $ .62 |
Next Steps – Find the Right Equine Supplement For Your Horse
Integricare has been a trusted supplier of quality equine joint supplements in Canada for over 20 years. Whether you have a leisure horse or a sport horse, you want to give your horse the best possible mixture of feed, foraging, and equine joint supplements.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the most straightforward, quality and cost-effective equine joint supplement available in Canada with all of those things to consider and purchase?
Integricare’s TRI-ACTA simplifies your job as an equine caretaker with an efficient equine joint supplement made from only active ingredients right here in Canada.
There is no wondering where you need to add or restrict because, unlike so many things, this equine joint supplement is what it says. There are no fillers or extra unnecessary ingredients to take up space where something beneficial could be, no processed additives, preservatives or excess sugar.
At Integricare, we believe equine joint supplements shouldn’t be 25 or 50% active and beneficial ingredients. We strive for 100% in more ways than one. Keep it simple, and let us help.
For more supportive advice about the best equine supplements, please contact us. We’d love to answer any and all questions pertaining to your unique needs.
