The market for equine joint supplements is saturated. Every brand makes similar claims. This guide cuts through the noise: here is what the research actually supports, what to look for on a label, and how the main Belgian-market products compare.
What the evidence supports
Not all joint supplement ingredients are equal. Some have solid evidence; others are popular but weakly supported:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA). well-evidenced for maintaining synovial fluid viscosity. Oral HA absorption in horses has been confirmed in peer-reviewed studies.
- MSM. good evidence for anti-inflammatory effects and collagen support. Widely used and well-tolerated.
- Glucosamine. moderate evidence. Shown to slow cartilage-degrading enzyme activity in equine cell studies.
- Chondroitin. often combined with glucosamine. Mixed results in horses specifically; more evidence in dogs and humans.
- Devil's claw. anti-inflammatory but FEI prohibited. Do not use in competition horses.
- Boswellia. promising anti-inflammatory but limited equine-specific trials.
Liquid vs powder
Liquid supplements tend to absorb faster and are harder for horses to sort out of feed. Powders are often more concentrated and more economical at high doses. For horses that need sustained maintenance rather than acute support, powder formulas can make more financial sense.
What to look for on the label
- Exact ingredient concentrations per dose (not just "contains glucosamine")
- FEI batch-testing certification or documentation available on request
- Manufactured in EU under animal feed regulations
- Clear dosage instructions with loading and maintenance phases
Market comparison (Belgium 2026)
- Artico Gold (Horse Tonic). liquid, FEI-tested, HA + MSM + glucosamine + collagen. Bestselling in Belgium.
- Artico Support (Horse Tonic). powder, higher dose per serving. Better for older horses needing daily sustained support.
- Cavalor Arthro Aid. well-known brand, liquid, good distribution but higher price point.
- Pavo JointFit. powder, feed-based format. Suitable but slower onset vs liquid.
The bottom line
A good joint supplement contains at least two of HA, MSM, and glucosamine at documented doses, is FEI batch-tested, and is made to EU feed safety standards. Artico Gold and Artico Support both meet this bar at competitive price points for the Belgian market.