Coffin joint inflammation: Feeding tips alongside therapy
The moment the vet does the flexion test and your horse is clearly lame is an absolute nightmare for all of us. My heart sank when the diagnosis came: coffin joint inflammation. Suddenly, the world stands still. You are handed a strict plan – box rest or controlled walking, perhaps special shoeing, and of course, anti-inflammatory medication.
But as soon as the vet drives out of the yard, your mind starts racing. What can I do to help him get fit again quickly? How can I best support the healing process? Alongside orthopaedic management, the subject of feeding comes up time and time again. But this is exactly where the stress really began for me.
The struggle with powder
The vet strongly recommended feeding nutrients to support the cartilage and joint fluid. Classics like glucosamine, MSM, and collagen. Highly motivated, I bought expensive tubs of white powder.
The reality looked like this: I mixed the powder into the mash. My horse turned up his nose and ate around it. I tried hiding it in a hollowed-out apple – he spat it out. In the end, the expensive supplement was left stuck to the bottom of the feed bowl as a damp crust, or simply sorted into the straw. It is incredibly frustrating. You just want the best, you know these ingredients would be important, but you simply cannot get them into the horse. And let's be honest: a supplement only works if it is actually eaten.
The discovery: nuvallo move
On one of those frustrating nights spent scouring Google for solutions, I came across the nuvallo move Snacks. At first I thought: "Snacks? That sounds like a treat." But when I looked at the ingredients, I sat up and took notice. These are functional joint snacks that contain exactly the highly dosed active ingredients I was so desperately trying to feed my horse, but in a form that he would (hopefully) actually accept.
Why I rely on the "snack" advantage
The concept convinced me immediately. Instead of fumbling around with measuring scoops and creating clouds of dust in the feed bowl, I simply give my horse 6 snacks daily (for a weight of approx. 500 kg). This equals around 30 g.
What is inside? Per daily ration, he gets:
- 1,500 mg glucosamine
- 2,550 mg collagen
- 2,250 mg MSM
- 150 mg hyaluronic acid
This is exactly the combination you are looking for to support joints and tendons. I find the base particularly brilliant: linseed cake and rice bran. As a result, the nuvallo move Snacks smell and taste incredibly good and natural. Since my horse was already reacting with a somewhat sensitive stomach due to the medication and box rest, I was glad that the snacks are completely free from wheat, maize, and added sugar.
Since we were in an acute phase (the diagnosis was fresh, after all), I followed the recommendation to feed double the amount for the first 2 to 3 weeks. That was absolutely no problem – he practically snatched them out of my hand. No sorting, no fussing. Just like a reward after picking out hooves.
My impression after a few weeks
Of course, coffin joint inflammation is not something that disappears overnight. It takes time, patience, and good management. But I have now fed the nuvallo move Snacks consistently for over 8 weeks, and my observations are entirely positive.
Alongside the veterinary therapy, I feel that he got back on his hooves faster than I have experienced with previous injuries. When we were allowed to slowly introduce more movement again, he seemed less stiff. He loosens up more quickly and appears altogether more supple in his movement. It is hard to describe, but I get the impression he feels more comfortable in his own body again and moves with more joy.
Another important point for me: should we (hopefully soon!) get back into full training and perhaps even ride a small competition again, I am on the safe side. The snacks are ADMR-compliant, so absolutely safe for sport.
Conclusion
If you are currently battling a diagnosis like coffin joint inflammation and are desperately trying to get powders into your horse: stop. The stress only transfers to your horse. The nuvallo move Snacks have made all the difference for us. They are simple to feed, feature a high-quality composition, and most importantly, are happily eaten. For me, they are the perfect support to do something good for my horse during rehab and beyond.