Polo horses: Stop & go without the wear and tear – an experience report
Once you are infected by the polo bug, it never lets you go. The speed, the adrenaline, the partnership with the horse – it is simply unique. But anyone who loves this sport also knows: polo is back-breaking work. Quite literally. The abrupt stops from a full gallop, the tight turns on the hindquarters, the constant "stop & go" – all of this demands an incredible amount from our horses' joints and tendons.
My best horse in the string, an Argentine mare with a heart of gold, gives 100 per cent in every chukka. But lately, I had been increasingly plagued by a worry: how much longer can her legs take this? I do not want to wait until she goes lame. I want her to stay fit and happy for as long as possible. The topic of joint wear was constantly buzzing around in my head, especially when I arrived at the yard in the morning and felt she needed a few extra minutes to "loosen up".
The daily battle with the feed trough
Of course, I tried to take preventive measures. I waded through the jungle of joint powders and pellets. I knew that ingredients like glucosamine and MSM were important. But what use is the best powder if it gets left behind in the trough?
My mare is an absolute expert at sorting out powders. I mixed it into her mash – she turned her nose up at it. I tried hiding it in hollowed-out apples – a massive mess and simply not practical with several horses in training. In the end, I always found the expensive supplements as a dusty residue at the bottom of the manger, neatly separated from her hard feed. It was frustrating. I knew she needed the support, but I just could not get it into the horse.
The discovery: nuvallo move Snacks
Searching for a solution that does not end in feed refusal, I came across nuvallo move Snacks. The concept sounded almost too good to be true: a functional joint snack that looks like an everyday snack, but is packed full of the active ingredients I was looking for.
No more weighing, no more powder clouds in the feed room, and above all: no more battles at the trough.
Why the "snack" advantage makes all the difference
I was sceptical whether a "snack" could really deliver the necessary dosage, but a look at the ingredients reassured me. In the daily ration of 6 snacks (approx. 30 g), there is a substantial 1,500 mg of glucosamine, 2,550 mg of collagen, 2,250 mg of MSM, and 150 mg of hyaluronic acid. These are exactly the building blocks I was looking for to support cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
What particularly pleases me as the owner of a sports horse: the base consists of linseed cake, rice bran, and linseed. This is gentle on the stomach and free from wheat and maize, and above all, contains no added sugar. Especially for sports horses, whose stomachs are often sensitive due to the stress of competitions, this is a massive bonus.
Feeding is now the highlight of my day: I simply give her the 6 snacks directly from my hand, usually after training as a reward or right while grooming. She practically inhales them. The acceptance is incredibly high, which is probably due to the fresh pressing.
The result: More joy in movement
I have now been feeding nuvallo move Snacks consistently for a good eight weeks. Of course, I cannot promise any miracle cures, and wear and tear cannot simply be magicked away. But my personal observation is distinctly positive.
I have noticed that my mare loosens up much faster in the mornings. I used to have the feeling she was walking on eggshells for the first ten minutes until the synovial fluid got going. Now, she appears more supple and content right from the first trot. Even in the tight turns on the arena, I get the impression that she finds it easier and can take the weight better. She seems generally more mobile and, what is most important to me, she is moving with more joy again.
A crucial factor for us competitive riders: the snacks are ADMR-compliant. I can therefore feed them continuously throughout the season without having to worry about a positive doping test. In polo, where fairness and animal welfare are top priorities, this is indispensable.
Conclusion: A genuine recommendation for sports horses
For me, nuvallo move Snacks have become a real game changer in yard management. They solve the problem of complicated feeding while simultaneously delivering high-quality nutrients to support the musculoskeletal system.
Whether for prevention in young horses or as support for my experienced competition veterans – I feel like I am doing something good for my horses so that we can enjoy many more chukkas together. So, if you are tired of powder residues in the trough and want to offer your sports partner genuine support, you should definitely give nuvallo a try.