Joint health determines the performance and welfare of a horse, especially those horses which do heavy work or are competing or aging through their golden years gracefully. People depend on joint supplements for the joint function, mobility, and comfort of their horses. However, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is how changes in the weather might affect these joint supplements. From temperature fluctuations to seasonal alterations in moisture, the weather can impact the horse's joints as well as how supplements work.

This article discusses the modification of horse joint health because of weather, potential changes in effectiveness of joint supplements caused by weather, and what horse owners can do to ensure their horses derive the best benefits from the supplements throughout the year.

Like human beings, horses are very sensitive to the change in weather. Their joints feel them directly. The most impactful weather-related factors influencing joint health include temperature and humidity.

1. Weather Conditions of Coldness

Cold tends to increase the joint stiffness and pain, mainly in old horses or those with previous maladies such as arthritis. Cold temperature reduces the amount of blood flowing to the joints. Under such conditions, a horse's joints feel stiff and pain-ridden. As with people, horses may feel that they have increased pain in the cold weather. It is particularly worse in the morning when it is at its lowest.

This cold will also impact the fluid fluid consistency within the joints that are lubricated by the fluid. When cold, the synovial fluid contained within the joints may become more viscous in nature and contribute to lower mobility and friction within the joint that may cause enhanced inflammation and pain.

2. Warm Weather

On the flip side of this, warmer temperatures can be more favorably associated with joint movement. Warmer temperatures generally cause an increase in the flow of blood that can help facilitate the distribution of nutrients that can enhance natural repair mechanisms by the body for its part. Arthritis and other problems in the joints of a horse usually make it feel relieved with the warmth because it allows it to feel comfortable and mobile.

However, high heat combined with moisture also leads to dehydration, which negatively affects the body's ability to keep healthy joints. Dehydrated horses can experience joint pain due to the simple fact that the lubrication within the joints is reduced. Owners of horses must keep their horses hydrated during the summer because dehydration is a factor that may spoil the well-being provided by joint supplements.

3. Moisture and Atmospheric Pressure Changes

Changes in atmospheric pressure, which occur when a storm front is approaching or the weather is changing rapidly, often cause joint pain and stiffness to worsen. Although the mechanism is not entirely clear, most horses-and certainly all humans-often note an exacerbation of joint aches or stiffness when some rapid change in atmospheric pressure is occurring, as before a storm.

Even indirect effects can occur from high humidity on the health of the joints. As before, hot humid conditions predispose horses to dehydration due to the evaporation from the body and minimize the joint fluid available to lubricate the joints. In such extreme fluctuations in humidity, horses experience discomfort in their joints as the fluid within the capsular space of the synovial fluid changes its viscoelastic properties and it cannot act effectively like a lubricant.

While joint supplements play a huge role in support towards long-term health and well-being of the joints, sometimes effectiveness is a little hampered by the weather. Here's how that goes down:

1. Cold Weather and Absorption

In cooling, the horse will be less active. Its metabolism goes down and therefore limits the absorption of joint supplements. Some of the most popular ingredients in joint supplements are glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, and hyaluronic acid: they strengthen cartilage, reduce inflammation, and improve the viscosity of the lubricants in joints. Blood circulation during cold weather is usually low, which may restrict transport towards the products to the joints.

Being less active due to cold temperatures, horses can be less active, especially if they spend so much time indoors. Reduced activity will also imply reduced flow in the synovial fluids. This is crucial in maintaining and assisting the smooth functioning of the articulations. This may deny some supplements to the articulation areas where they are needed most.

2. Hot Temperatures and Increased Activity

General activity in horses with warm weather promotes better circulation, which tends to drive joint supplements closer to their site of use. The movement and flexibility brought about by warmer weather promote synovial fluid production and flow within the joints, which can enhance the absorption of nutrients into the body. Consequently, horses usually seem to be working better on joint supplements when it is warm because they are moving around more.

But dehydration due to extreme heat could decrease the effectiveness of joint supplements because hydrated states significantly play a role in the fluid supply of the synovial in joints, thus not to let horses get too thirsty to get a max of the efficacy of joint supplements.

3. Barometric Pressure and Joint Pain

Changes in atmospheric pressure, including drops before storms, have been associated with worsening arthritic or other joint conditions in horses. While joint supplements are designed to reduce the inflammatory response and maintain health of the joints, jarring changes in pressure can still cause discomfort when the supplement is introduced to the body and cannot be alleviated right away by the supplement. Horses can be worse off in unsteady weather patterns if they are tolerating discomfort and joint stiffness even though they are on regular joint supplements.

Understanding how weather conditions could affect the performance of supplements towards joint health can help horse owners fine-tune their adjustments and ensure that their horses derive maximum benefit from the joint supplements. Here are some tips for that purpose:

1. Change Dosages at Times

In severe winter conditions, you may need to adjust the dosage of joint supplements when joint stiffness becomes more pronounced, especially when your horse seems uncomfortable. Your vet should be able to guide you on the right dosage to facilitate additional support for the winter months.

2. Equine Activity

Circulation and movement of synovial fluid is a must to be maintained throughout the year to keep equine mobility. Stiffness will help to offset with light exercise like walking or turnout, and its overall impact will improve when joint supplements are administered. The more a horse moves, the more its joints get lubricated, so it's the action of supplements itself.

3. Hydration

Always ensure that the horse is supplied with ample fresh water for hydration during the warm weather as dehydration would impede the effectiveness of supplements to the joints since synovial fluids production would be limited. Proper hydration of the joint means keeping it hydrated and well-lubricated.

4. Seasonal Supplements

Some may find that supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids or other anti-inflammatory ingredients are helpful in addition to any typical cold season supplements targeted specifically at reducing the joint discomfort associated with cold-weather stiffness and pain.

5. Condition

Following up on the changes in how your horse's joints act with the weather, you can change their care according to it. Whenever you notice that your horse becomes stiffer or uncomfortable at certain seasons, you should team up with your veterinarian to change your horse's supplement program and its overall care.

Changes in the weather can have a deep impact on the well-being of a horse's joint and the overall effects levels of any supplement they may be taking. Cold weather makes the horse stiff and unable to absorb sufficient nutrients, whereas warm weather contributes to improved circulation and mobility. However, alterations in the atmospheric pressure and evaporation can even affect the health of your horse's joints regardless of whether it is summer or winter. This helps you understand that joint supplements will still continue providing the support they need by making whatever adjustments to their care that is required.