We are exploring glucosamine today.

About a decade ago, glucosamine was marketed and sold as a joint supplement for horses. It is still available for joint support in dogs and humans, but seldom as a supplement for horses. 

In this episode, I discuss my experience with glucosamine, sharing its origin and clarifying some of the holistic principles it breaks.

Nutrients vs. Nutraceuticals

Nutrients are the vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that are essential for life and must come from food. Glucosamine is a nutraceutical, a non-essential compound found naturally in cartilage that can help manage joint inflammation. It is not a dietary requirement, and it does not address deficiencies.

Doubt Around Glucosamine

Glucosamine was once widely used in equine joint supplements, often combined with MSM or chondroitin. However, many horse owners and practitioners saw no real benefits. Its popularity was due to marketing and general concerns about joint health and mobility in horses.

Inflammation 

Supplements alone cannot cure joint inflammation. Often, underlying factors (stress, poor diet, and excessive sugar) play a role. If those issues go unaddressed, even the best supplements will be inneffective.

Insulin-Resistant Horses

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that contains a glucose molecule, which raises red flags for insulin-resistant horses or those with a sluggish, congested liver. Those horses are already prone to inflammation and joint pain, and adding glucosamine may further burden their liver’s ability to metabolize.

Long-Term Supplementation

Long-term use of glucosamine without addressing nutrient deficiencies may do more harm than good. The liver metabolizes everything that enters the body, so long-term supplementation could overburden it, especially if the supplement is unnecessary or of low quality.

Source Matters

Most glucosamine gets sourced from shellfish, which violates holistic principles for horses, as they are strict herbivores. Using animal-based ingredients for horses is not considered species-appropriate and should always be avoided unless the supplement is truly effective.

Glucosamine Forms and Sulfur Sensitivity

Glucosamine comes in different forms- either glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine HCl. As the sulfate version can cause sensitivities, like hives or respiratory issues, glucosamine HCl may be a safer option for horses with sulfur sensitivity.

Evaluating Supplement Effectiveness

To assess whether a supplement is truly helping, always consider whether mobility is improving and inflammation is decreasing. If you cannot see or measure any benefit, reconsider its use. Addressing nutrient deficiencies will likely lead to more effective and lasting results.

Study Limitations 

Scientific studies on glucosamine are inconclusive and often based on other species (like rats, mice, or humans), so they may not reflect the realities of insulin-resistant or metabolically compromised horses. Ultimately, the individual history and response of the horse should guide your decisions.

Final Considerations

Although glucosamine is not inherently harmful, its long-term use should be questioned, especially for horses with insulin resistance. Glucosamine is not an essential nutrient, and it may place unnecessary strain on the body. 

Always prioritize foundational nutrition before turning to nutraceuticals.

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