Horse Joint Supplements
Joint supplements support your horse's mobility and comfort — popular for older horses, horses in hard work, and anyone wanting to look after joints before problems start. The common ingredients are glucosamine and MSM (the everyday building blocks), chondroitin and green-lipped mussel (often paired with them), and the herbs boswellia and devil's claw for comfort support. Just Horse Riders stocks over 300 joint supplements from brands including NAF, Dodson & Horrell, Science Supplements and Maxavita, from around £6.
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Supplement advice from the Just Horse Riders team — last reviewed June 2026. Supplements support normal joint health; if your horse is lame or in pain, speak to your vet first.
Joint ingredients at a glance
| Ingredient | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Glucosamine | The everyday staple — a building block of cartilage |
| MSM | A sulphur source, usually paired with glucosamine |
| Chondroitin | Often combined with glucosamine in premium formulas |
| Green-lipped mussel | A natural source of joint-supporting nutrients |
| Boswellia | Herbal comfort support — competition-friendly |
| Devil's claw | Traditional comfort herb — prohibited in affiliated competition |
When should a horse start a joint supplement?
Three common triggers: an older horse starting to feel his age, a horse in regular jumping or fast work, and after a vet recommends joint support. Supplements work best fed consistently — allow several weeks to judge the effect, and pair them with sensible management (good footing, proper warm-ups, weight control).
Competing? Read the label
Devil's claw is on the prohibited-substances list for FEI and British Dressage competition, even though it is freely sold. If you compete affiliated, choose formulas described as competition-legal (boswellia-based comfort support is the usual swap) and check your discipline's current list.
Joint supplement favourites
- Best-value daily support: Dodson & Horrell Mobility (from £6.09).
- Green-lipped mussel: Maxavita MaxaFlex (from £17.34) or Gold Label GLM (from £15.71).
- Premium all-in-one: Science Supplements Flexability+ Plus (from £67.51).
- Competition-friendly herb: NAF Boswellia (from £15.20).
Frequently asked questions
Do joint supplements really work for horses?
Many owners see a real difference, especially in older horses — but response is individual, and supplements support rather than treat. Feed consistently for several weeks to judge, and involve your vet if your horse is actually lame or in pain.
What is the best joint supplement ingredient?
Glucosamine with MSM is the proven everyday pairing; premium formulas add chondroitin, green-lipped mussel or boswellia. There's no single best — older or harder-working horses tend to justify the fuller combinations.
Can I use devil's claw if I compete?
No — devil's claw is a prohibited substance under FEI and British Dressage rules, with withdrawal periods that catch people out. Competing horses should use devil's-claw-free formulas such as boswellia-based support.
How long until a joint supplement takes effect?
Allow four to six weeks of consistent feeding before judging — some products use a higher loading rate for the first couple of weeks. Keep notes so you can genuinely compare before and after.
Not sure which suits your horse? Tap the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen and one of the team will help.