At any point in its life an animal may be placed in a competitive arena, and its performance is as direct a determination of its overall health and physical condition. In a champion show horse, the rhythmic trot is very important; in a prize-winning steer the quality of the stance is critical, and in the active nimbleness of a show dog the same considerations apply. The intense training, the long periods of standing and travel, however, exert enormous pressure on the joints of an animal, so it is a given that things will go awry sooner or later. A carefully balanced diet and physical activity are the mainstays of their management, but joint supplements are often considered an important part of the overall management plan. And the important part of getting the most of the benefits is understanding when exactly it should be remembered to apply them, as a preventive approach or as part of supportive care when certain challenges arise. 

Prevention is the Best Performance Strategy

The most effective exhibitors know that the best way to stay in control of joint health is to stay ahead in the event of issues. A reactive approach of waiting until a show animal begins experiencing pain can result in compromised performance, not to mention an increased period of discomfort on the part of the animal. A proactive program will help make sure that the joints have what they need to take up the stress and remain strong.

During Rapid Growth: When young animals like draft horses, cattle, or even large-breed dogs are going through their growth spurt, there is a lot of pressure put on their developing joints. Joint supplements during this formative stage may support healthy bone and cartilage development, contributing to a strong foundation on which to build their athletic career later on.

In Advance of Training Season: You may consider initiating a supplement program prior to training season, in case you are gearing up for a new show season. Adding a joint supplement a few weeks/months before beginning intense training can pre-load the joints with beneficial compounds such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin, and MSM. This helps condition the connective tissues for the new workload during the training exercises, and may help support joint comfort and reduce strain during early training.

In High-Impact Disciplines: In some disciplines the amount of pressure on the joints is very heavy.

• Stress on equine joints: The joints that can be subject to excessive wear and strain with equine disciplines include hocks, stifles, and fetlocks.

• Cattle and livestock: The forced postures demanded in livestock show rings may put strains on joints of show pigs and cows.

• Canine disciplines: Activities such as flyball, agility, and even conformation showing all entail repetitive high-impact movements that subject dogs to joint stress.

In these instances, a joint supplement is often regarded as a valuable element of their daily regimen early on in their lives, long before an issue arises.

The Crucial Role of Your Veterinarian

It is highly recommended that prior to starting any new supplement, one first consult their veterinarian. They can provide guidance, rule out other conditions, and help determine the most appropriate supplement and dosage for your animal’s particular needs.

Feeding a daily showstock supplement may help support coat quality, joint health, and overall condition for competition. At the end of the day, taking care of joints is more than earning ribbons — it is about supporting a long and healthy life for your show animal. By being proactive and knowing the indicators that point to extra support, you can utilize joint supplements as a useful tool in supporting their health, comfort, and performance throughout their lives.