After the Winter Break: A Joint-Friendly Return to Work
Hand on heart: who among us hasn't let training slide a bit during the winter? Whether it's the frozen ground, the endlessly dark evenings, or simply the fact that a horse in a thick winter coat starts sweating just from being groomed. My gelding and I have definitely been taking things easier over the past few months. Plenty of walking, a bit of groundwork, but very little real exertion.
But now, as the days are getting longer and the first rays of sunshine are drying out the arena, I'm itching to get back into the saddle. My horse is also absolutely full of beans. But this is exactly where the danger lies: the mind is ready to go, but the body is still in 'hibernation mode'. Tendons, ligaments, and joints need to get used to the workload again. Just galloping straight off? Not a good idea.
The Battle with Powders
I know how important it is to supply the musculoskeletal system with the right nutrients, especially during this conditioning phase. Glucosamine, MSM, collagen – we riders all know what would be beneficial. But the reality in the feed bowl often looked quite different for us.
I have spent a lot of money on various joint powders in the past. The scenario was always the same: I would hopefully mix the powder into his feed. My horse would snort vigorously once into the bowl – and a cloud of white dust would rise up. Or even worse: he developed a fascinating technique of using his lips to suck every single grain of oats clean, leaving the expensive joint powder stuck to the bottom of the bowl as a sad residue. Even the trick of hiding it inside a hollowed-out apple only resulted in a huge mess, because he simply spat out the 'funny-tasting' part. The best supplement is useless if it doesn't end up inside the horse.
The Discovery: nuvallo move Snacks
It was exactly during this frustrating phase that I came across the nuvallo move Snacks. And I have to say: the concept won me over immediately. Finally, someone who actually owns horses has put some proper thought into this.
These are not a dusty powder or a sticky liquid, but rather functional snacks in pellet form. The base consists of linseed cake, rice bran, and linseed – meaning they are completely free from wheat and corn and are gentle on the stomach. This is incredibly important to me, as I don't want to feed any unnecessary wheat or corn.
Why I Love the Snacks So Much (And My Horse Does Too)
The biggest advantage is simply how easy they are to use. I just give my big gelding (approx. 550 kg) 6 snacks daily. No weighing, no mixing, no messing around with mash just to get him to eat them. I usually give them to him straight from my hand after grooming, or pop them into his bowl as a reward after training.
And the ingredients speak for themselves: per daily dose, he gets a substantial portion of glucosamine, collagen, MSM, and hyaluronic acid. These are exactly the building blocks I want for his cartilage and for the regeneration of his tendons during this return to work. The fact that nuvallo avoids fillers such as wheat, corn, or sugar here gives me great peace of mind.
Our Results Returning to Work
We have been back in our fitness programme for about 6 weeks now, and we feed the nuvallo move Snacks alongside it. Naturally, I have increased the workload gradually – lots of transitions, long warm-up phases in walk.
What I've subjectively noticed: when he comes out of his stable in the morning, he seems significantly less stiff than in previous winters. Even during the first trot, I feel he 'swings through' and relaxes his back much more quickly. In the past, we often needed 20 minutes before he was truly supple; at the moment, I have the impression that he is much more flexible and goes to work with more joy. He simply seems more mobile and content in his movement.
As we are aiming for one or two small competitions again in the summer, it's also essential for me that the snacks are ADMR-compliant. That means I don't have to worry about withdrawal periods.
Conclusion
The start after the winter break doesn't have to be a bumpy ride. With a sensible training plan and the right internal support, things are going really smoothly for us this year. If you also have a horse that stubbornly refuses powders, I can warmly recommend nuvallo move Snacks. They are eaten with enthusiasm, are easy to dose and – most importantly – my horse simply feels great.
Have a brilliant start to the season and listen to your horse!