Even Shettys have joint problems: An owner's experience

Everyone knows the saying: "A Shetty is indestructible." They are considered the robust lawnmowers that can stand outside in all weathers, never get sick, and live to a ripe old age without ever seeing a vet. For a long time, I believed that too. My little gelding, the "boss" of the open stable, was always the first at the fence and the last to give up when playing. But at some point, this image began to crumble.

I noticed that on cold, wet days, he no longer came towards me quite so enthusiastically. When he came out of his stable in the morning or got up after a nap in the field, he seemed somewhat... stiff. Not lame, but simply no longer as supple. He needed a while to get going. That's when I realised: even the smallest ones have heavy burdens to carry, and Shettys too have joint problems, or at least signs of wear and tear, that you have to take seriously.

The battle with the powder

Of course, I wanted to support him immediately. My vet advised me to support his joint function through his diet. Full of enthusiasm, I bought a high-quality joint powder. Anyone who has ever tried to sneak something past a greedy but highly intelligent Shetty that they don't like knows exactly what comes next.

I tried everything. First, I simply sprinkled the powder over his manger feed. The result: he carefully sorted out every single oat grain, and the powder remained stuck to the bottom of the trough as a dusty residue. Then came the trick with the apple sauce and the mash. He took one sniff, curled his upper lip, and then knocked the bucket over, almost looking offended. It was enough to make you tear your hair out. Not to mention that the powder ended up everywhere – on my jacket, in the straw, just not in the horse. And we all know: if it doesn't end up in the stomach, it can't work.

The discovery: nuvallo move Snacks

Searching for an alternative that I didn't have to hide in soaked hay cobs, I came across nuvallo move Snacks. What appealed to me immediately was the concept: a functional joint snack that looks and smells like something my pony would eat voluntarily, but is packed full of the essential nutrients.

With my Shetty, the composition of the carrier ingredients was particularly important to me. Since small ponies are often prone to metabolic problems, I pay meticulous attention to ensuring that no unnecessary sugar, wheat, or corn ends up in his trough. The nuvallo move Snacks are based on linseed cake, rice bran, and linseed – in exactly that order. This is gentle on the stomach and fits perfectly into my feeding plan, which is free from wheat and corn.

Small but mighty: The snack advantage in everyday stable life

The feeding recommendation for a large horse (approx. 500 kg) is 6 snacks daily. Because my little man naturally weighs significantly less (just under 200 kg), I have calculated the dose accordingly. He now gets 2 to 3 snacks a day.

And what can I say? The relief was huge. I no longer have to weigh anything out, mix anything up, or wash any sticky bowls. I simply take the nuvallo move Snacks with me to the stable and give them to him straight from my hand. He loves them! The acceptance is incredibly high. For him, it's a reward; for me, it's the certainty that the active ingredients are actually getting exactly where they need to go.

Because packed into these little snacks is the full load of joint nutrients:

• Glucosamine and collagen to support the cartilage structure.
• MSM (organic sulphur), which I find particularly important, as it is incredibly valuable for the regeneration of tendons.
• Hyaluronic acid, the main component of synovial fluid.

It is a reassuring feeling to know that he is taking in exactly this combination with every snack.

The result: The clown is back

I have been feeding the nuvallo move Snacks for a good three months now. They say you should give joint nutrients consistently for at least 8 to 12 weeks to see an effect. With us, however, I had the feeling that something was changing after just about 5 weeks.

It's the little things. When I fetch him from the field now, he comes trotting towards me again – even if it's drizzling. When grooming, he lifts his hooves more willingly again, and overall he seems looser and more content in his movements. He even bucks across the field again when the "big ones" start to run. Of course, no feed supplement turns a senior into a foal, but my subjective observation is quite clear: he has more joy in moving again. He no longer seems so stiff in the mornings, but rather "warms up" faster.

While we don't go to competitions, I know that many riders have to pay attention to this: the snacks are ADMR-compliant. So, if you ever do enter a competition or go carriage driving with your Shetty, you are on the safe side.

My conclusion

Do not underestimate the little ones! Shettys achieve a lot too, and their joints age just like those of large horses. If you, like me, are tired of the battle with powders and refused feed, you should definitely take a look at nuvallo move Snacks. For me, they are the perfect solution: easy to dose, high-quality ingredients free from wheat and corn, and above all: my pony eats them with enthusiasm. We are definitely sticking with them!