Equine Joints — A Comprehensive overview, common problems and how supplements can help

The joint is the meeting point of two bone ends, covered with smooth cartilage and filled with synovial fluid. This fluid reduces friction, while the surrounding capsule and ligaments provide stability. If these systems do not function properly, a horse’s movement can become painful, and its performance may drop drastically.

Joint (synovial joint): the ends of two bones covered with articular cartilage; the space is filled with synovial fluid, produced by the synovial membrane. The entire structure is enclosed by the joint capsule (capsula).

Cartilage (articular cartilage): a smooth, friction-reducing surface with limited regenerative capacity; damage or wear (osteoarthritis) can cause serious problems.

Ligaments (ligamenta): connect bone to bone and provide stability; injury can lead to instability and further damage.

Tendons (structures similar to ligaments, but connecting muscle to bone): crucial for force transmission; micro- and macro-injuries due to strain are common.

In horses, osteoarthritis – the wear of cartilage – is the most common joint problem, especially in sport horses. Inflammation, joint stiffness, lameness, swelling, or changes in habitual movement patterns can all be warning signs. Tendon sheath and ligament inflammation, developmental disorders, or OCD lesions in young horses are also common.

The first symptoms are often subtle: the horse may be a bit stiffer in the mornings or take longer to return to normal movement after a jump. Ignoring these signs can lead to worsening problems.

What Symptoms Should We Watch For?

• Lameness (may vary in severity), difficulty with steps or transitions
• Stiffness, especially after rest (morning stiffness)
• Joint swelling, warmth to the touch
• Reduced performance, changes in jumping habits
• Sensitivity to load, evasive reactions

Based on these signs, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian; early intervention can lead to a better outcome.

Most Common Joint and Musculoskeletal Problems in Horses

• Osteoarthritis / Degenerative Joint Disease (OA): cartilage wear, bone changes, and inflammation combined; the most common chronic problem.
• Synovitis / Capsulitis: inflammation of the joint membrane or capsule, causing pain and swelling.
• Tendinitis / Desmitis (tendon/ligament inflammation): common acute or chronic injury due to strain; especially risky in equestrian sports.
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD): developmental cartilage-bone lesions in younger horses.
• Navicular-type problems, intra-articular fractures, osteochondrosis sequelae: discrete lesions that require specific diagnostics and treatment.

Traditional treatment focuses on rest, controlled exercise, and veterinary interventions. Increasingly, dietary supplements have become part of daily care, helping with tissue regeneration, reducing inflammation, and supporting cartilage and ligament metabolism.

Meglio Horse Supplements in Joint Support

• MSM: helps reduce post-exercise stiffness and signs of inflammation. Particularly useful for horses in intense work, supporting tissue regeneration. Research confirms its anti-inflammatory effects.
• Joint Guard: a “complete” joint supplement. A combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid supports cartilage elasticity and synovial fluid viscosity, making movement smoother and less painful.
• Vita-Joint: liquid form, easy to dose, with better absorption. Practical for daily maintenance and problem-solving, even for picky eaters, ensuring the horse gets consistent support.
• Vita-Joint GOLD: the strongest combination, with plant-based anti-inflammatories (e.g., devil’s claw, boswellia). Provides extra support in chronic problems or when clear signs of pain are present.

Supplement use does not replace veterinary care, but as part of a daily routine, it can reduce the risk of lameness and joint wear over time, helping the horse move pain-free.

Recommended Meglio Product Use

• Prevention, young sport horses, stable routine: Joint Guard + occasional MSM (for maintenance).
• Older horses, mild joint symptoms: Joint Guard or Vita-Joint + MSM (liquid Vita-Joint is easy to dose).
• Chronic, more severe pain/inflammation: Vita-Joint GOLD (with plant-based anti-inflammatories), always alongside veterinary evaluation and local/orthopedic interventions if necessary.
• Acute injury / tendon-ligament injury: stabilization and veterinary care come first; MSM/Joint Guard can support rehabilitation but do not replace proper therapy.

Proper management, rest, controlled exercise, and targeted supplementation together give the best chance for a sport horse to move healthily for many years.

Meglio Horse joint supplements – MSM, Joint Guard, Vita-Joint, and Vita-Joint GOLD – provide support at different levels of musculoskeletal health, ensuring there is a suitable solution for every horse and every problem. The goal is for the horse not just to survive, but to enjoy movement, jumping, and competition – pain-free, energetic, and healthy.