Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Adequan, in my humble opinion, acts more like a vitamin building block

than a drug.  Adequan via injection or orally won't mask pain, won't

temporarily decrease inflamation (though it can have that affect over a

long period of time as it allows joints to heal or rebuild), and won't give

a horse an edge over other horses for that day.  It is not a "super horse

for a day" drug. 

 

What it does do is protects joints from wear and tear over the long haul.

It does decrease the occurance of arthritis.  Like using wormers, giving

immunizations, and feeding a solid balanced diet, it lets our endurance

horses live healthier lives over the long haul.  That is why it is allowed

under AERC rules.  So yes, it is a preventative.

 

MSM, on the other hand, is a whole other ball of wax.  Many oral joint

supplements include MSM for good reason, but it is against AERC rules

to compete a horse under the influence of MSM at an AERC ride.

 

I am not a vet, and I do not play one on TV.  But I have been using

Adequan and other injectable and oral joint supplements for about 10

years now with amazing results in older arthritic horses.  I do have my

current endurance horse Blue (who is only 11.5) on a daily oral joint

supplement (without daily MSM) to protect his joints over the long haul.

I would like very much to have him miss out on the stiffness and more

uncomfortable mornings in his later years.

 

The only time an Adequan injection would be against AERC rules is

between the vet in and the completion vet out when any invasive treatments

(injections are invasive treatment) are not allowed.  But it would make

little difference to give an Adequan injection a few days before a ride as

opposed to during because it's affect is so long term.

 

Kathy Myers

in Santa Fe, NM