Nutritional supplements can help connective tissues grow and heal. The joints of young, fast-growing horses can benefit from the extra nutrients. Horses of all ages that are regularly being worked, trained or used in competition are putting great stress on their joints and can use the support. If joint injury does occur, proper supplementation is definitely appropriate. As bodies age, their joints naturally wear out faster than they are repaired.
Nutritional supplements can help the body fight back by increasing the production of new tissues.
More than 50 years ago, scientists discovered that, over time, eating ground-up connective tissues could help relieve problems associated with arthritis. Additional research found that the most helpful substances in these products were chondroitin sulfates. About 30 years ago, the research began focusing on a much smaller nutrient that is the most basic building block of connective tissues and fluids - glucosamine sulphate. They can be injected and work very well, but more than half the molecules end up being excreted when administered orally. There are several types of glucosamine in supplements.