Similarly to humans, horses need to add extra vitamin and mineral supplements to support their health.
What is MSM for Horses? a natural sulfur compound found in the human body, animal bodies, and vegetables, that helps decrease inflammation and improve circulation.
What is MSM for horse?
MSM, which stands for Methylsulfonylmethane, is a natural sulfur-containing compound that you can find in your horse’s body along with fresh forage, grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Your horses use it as a primary source of sulfur. It is essential for antioxidant actions, healthy cartilage, and maintaining the health of hooves, hair, and joint fluid. In the horse’s body, the compound breaks into two vital amino acids called methionine and cysteine.
It is extracted from DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, widely used in the horse industry to fight inflammation. This supplement comes in a white, salt-like substance that horses seem to find pleasure in tasting.
How can MSM be beneficial for horses?
The main effects of MSM for horses are to reduce inflammation and improve circulation. It also has multiple uses for horses, such as:
- Reduce scar tissue
- Help absorb more nutrients: vitamins and minerals
- Help in muscle relaxation
- Maintain healthy hooves and hair growth
- Be a pain-killer
- Increase oxygen availability to the body
- Reduce joint degeneration
- Bind harmful heavy metals in the body
- Boost the immune system
- Significantly reduces recuperation time from strenuous activities
- Help reduce eye membrane irritation (when MSM in a water solution is applied)
Along with vitamin C, MSM provides more amazing benefits like:
- Improve skin’s elasticity
- Improves mental alertness
- Relieve headaches, muscle pain, and cramps caused by hormonal imbalances
- Support the body to create healthy new cells
Top 3 best MSM supplements for horses reviews
1. Vita Flex MSM Ultra Pure
Vita Flex MSM, which is recommended to support healthy joints in horses, dogs, and cats, contains 100% ultra-pure methylsulfonylmethane and white crystalline granules, making it easy to feed your horses.
The package has enclosed scoops holding 10.1 grams each with two size options for your selection – 4 lbs and 10 lbs.
For horses’ usage, you’d better give one scoop twice daily for the first seven days, which is enough for daily maintenance, or as advised by a veterinarian.
2. AniMed Pure MSM
AniMed Pure MSM contains no other ingredients and therefore reaps the full benefits of MSM.
It comes in three different sizes: 2.25 lb, 5 lb, and 10 lb, which can supply MSM to your horses up to 80 days, 160 days, and 320 days, respectively.
The recommended dosage is 1 tbsp (approximately 0.5 oz.) per 1000 lb body weight twice a day, but the amount and frequency may be varied as directed by a veterinarian.
The most exciting feature of AniMed Pure MSM is that each container has a two-sided scoop enclosed, of which the large end measures one tablespoon (approx. 1/2 oz.) while the small one measures one teaspoon (approx. 1/8 oz.)
Please remember to keep the product tightly closed in a cool, dry place with a temperature below 30°C (86°F).
3. Joint Combo Hoof & Coat
Joint Combo Hoof & Coat is a convenient 3-in-1 product for complete joint, hoof & coat care.
Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, vitamin C, manganese, and MSM are the ingredients that support healthy joint function and collagen synthesis. It also contains Omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a bright ring coat.
The pellets are highly palatable with a cinnamon-apple flavor.
For usage, you should give three scoops (1 oz each) per day for the initial loading dose (3-4 weeks). For maintenance, give two scoops per day (based on an 1100 lb adult horse).
In conclusion
MSM for horses, also known as Methylsulfonylmethane, is a chemical found in animals, humans, and many plants. The benefits vary from painkillers, reducing joint degeneration, increasing oxygen availability to the body, etc.
Should you have any concerns, you’re welcome to leave a comment below.