An alternative to joint powder: Why I switched to snacks

Hand on heart: who among us doesn't know this frustrating moment in the yard? You buy the most expensive supplement, spend weeks studying ingredients, and are certain you've found the absolute best for your horse's joints – and then? Then your horse stands in front of the feed bowl, gives a hearty snort, and blows the fine, white powder in a cloud across the stable aisle. Or even worse: they sift it out so cleverly that all the hard feed is gone, but the expensive powder remains stuck to the bottom of the bowl as a fine, untouched film of dust.

I put up with this for years. My gelding is no longer a high-performance athlete, but I want to keep him fit and mobile for as long as possible. Joint support is simply part of that for me, whether for prevention or to do him some good in his later years. But the daily struggle of getting the stuff into the horse often frayed my last nerve.

The daily struggle with powder

I really tried everything. I hid the powder in apples (he noticed and spat the apple out). I made mash every day just to 'hide' the powder in it – which eventually really eats into the time of a full-time working horse owner. And even then, there were days when he simply refused the feed because it smelt 'funny'.

The problem is simple: if the horse doesn't eat it, it doesn't work. The best glucosamine and the highest quality MSM are absolutely useless if they are left in the feed bowl or blown away by the horse next door. I was close to giving up entirely because it felt like a waste of money to literally throw it in the bin.

The discovery: nuvallo move Snacks

Then I came across nuvallo move Snacks. At first, I was sceptical. A joint product in the form of a snack? Can that work? Is there even enough in it? But my frustration with the powder was so great that I decided to give it a try.

The concept is brilliantly simple: instead of fiddling with measuring scoops, scales, and sticky carrier substances, this is a functional joint snack.

Why 'snack' makes the difference

The first test was almost laughably easy. I arrived at the yard, opened the bag, and offered him a snack. He ate it. With enthusiasm. He even begged for more.

The secret likely lies in the base. nuvallo move Snacks are not made with cheap fillers, but are based on linseed cake, rice bran, linseed. This makes them not only incredibly tasty, but also gentle on the stomach. Since my horse is somewhat sensitive to grain, I was glad to read that they are completely free from wheat and corn, as well as added sugar.

And when it comes to the active ingredients, there is nothing to hide. A daily ration of 6 snacks (approx. 30 g) contains substantial amounts of active ingredients:

• 1,500 mg glucosamine
• 2,550 mg collagen
• 2,250 mg MSM
• 150 mg hyaluronic acid

This is exactly the combination I previously struggled to feed as a powder. Only now, I simply feed 6 pieces by hand – as a reward after riding or as a greeting. No crumbling, no blowing, no stress.

My verdict after 10 weeks

I have now been feeding nuvallo move Snacks for a good two and a half months. They do say that joint nutrients take about 8 to 12 weeks to build up their full levels, but I already had the subjective feeling that something was changing after about 6 weeks.

My gelding no longer seems as stiff in the morning when he comes out of his stable. Even when riding, I get the impression that he loosens up more quickly and generally moves with more joy. He steps more contently into the contact and seems more supple in the turns. Of course, he is no longer a youngster, but I have the reassuring feeling that I am supporting him in the best possible way.

Another plus point for anyone who competes: the snacks are ADMR-compliant. This means you don't have to worry about withdrawal periods. Even though we no longer go to big competitions, this gives me peace of mind regarding the quality of the ingredients.

So, if you also have a fussy eater in the yard who prefers to sift their powder rather than eat it, I cannot recommend nuvallo move Snacks highly enough. It saves time, nerves, and ultimately probably even money, because exactly 100% of the active ingredients actually end up in the horse. For me, there is no going back to powder.