Managing showjumpers: Joint protection for the landing
If we are honest, there is hardly a better feeling for us as showjumpers than finding the perfect rhythm on the course. The approach, judging the stride, the take-off – and then that moment of weightlessness over the jump. But at the exact moment the hooves touch the sand again, my heart sometimes skips a beat. Not out of fear, but out of respect for physics.
We all know the enormous forces that impact a horse's legs upon landing after a high oxer or upright. Multiple times their own body weight rests on the tendons, ligaments and joints for a fraction of a second. My gelding 'Calle' is an absolute fighter on the course and always gives 100 per cent. But that is exactly why I see it as my top priority to optimise his management so that he can do this job for as long and as healthily as possible. Joint protection is therefore not a question of 'if' for me, but 'how'.
The daily battle with the feed bowl
For a long time, I really drove myself crazy. I knew that Calle needed support, especially during the competition season. I invested huge amounts of money in various joint powders and liquid supplements. The tubs looked super professional in the tack locker, but the reality in the feed bowl was sobering.
When it comes to supplements, Calle is extremely fussy. Powders? Not a chance. No matter how well I mixed it into his hard feed, he meticulously picked out the pellets and the mix. In the end, the expensive powder lay as a dusty residue at the bottom of the bowl. I started mashing up bananas and hiding the stuff in there – with moderate success, because eventually he smelled a rat (or rather, the mussel concentrate) from three metres away. Stirring it into his mash also only worked to a limited extent; he often just left the rest.
It was enough to make you despair: what is the use of the best product with the most fantastic ingredients if it does not end up in the horse?
The discovery: nuvallo move Snacks
A few months ago, I was chatting with a fellow livery whose mare also competes in showjumping. I told her about my 'powder dilemma', and with a grin, she handed me a bag: nuvallo move Snacks.
At first, I was sceptical. 'Another reward?', I thought. But she corrected me immediately: these are not your standard reward cubes, but functional joint snacks. The clever part is the format. nuvallo has managed to compress high-dose joint nutrients into a tasty snack form.
Why the concept works for us
The best thing first: Calle loves them. I no longer have to hide anything, mix anything, or sacrifice any more bananas. I simply give him his daily ration of 6 Snacks (that is approx. 30 g for his weight of just under 600 kg) directly from my hand. I usually do this quite relaxedly after riding while untacking. For him, it is a reward for his hard work; for me, it is the certainty that the active ingredients are actually making it into his system.
What is inside? Per daily ration, he gets exactly what I have always wanted to feed him:
- 1,500 mg glucosamine and 2,550 mg collagen for cartilage and stability.
- 2,250 mg MSM, which is particularly important for the regeneration of tendons after exertion.
- 150 mg hyaluronic acid for the joint fluid.
In addition, the base of the snacks consists of linseed cake, rice bran and linseed – so it is completely free from wheat and corn, and contains no added sugar. This puts my mind at rest even more, as Calle has quite a sensitive stomach.
The result: supple on the course and safe at competitions
I have now been feeding the nuvallo move Snacks consistently for about 10 weeks. Of course, you cannot expect miracles overnight – joint nutrients need time to build up in the body. nuvallo themselves state that they should be fed for at least 8 to 12 weeks.
But I have to say: my observations make me feel very positive. After just 6 weeks, I had the subjective feeling that Calle was loosening up more quickly during the warm-up. We used to need a very long phase in walk and trot before he truly relaxed through his back and his movements became supple. Now he seems less stiff in the mornings, and even after an intensive jump training session the day before, he comes out of his stable more motivated.
It is hard to put into words, but he simply seems more eager to move. He has more spring in his step. For me as a rider, this is a massive gain in rideability.
An absolutely crucial point for us as competition riders: the nuvallo move Snacks are ADMR-compliant. This means I can continue to feed them without hesitation during the competition season, without having to worry about a positive doping test or withdrawal periods. Especially with products that contain MSM, this is often a grey area, but here I am on the safe side.
Conclusion
If, like me, you have a horse that needs to perform but turns its nose up at powder supplements, I can highly recommend nuvallo move. It takes away my daily stress at feeding time and gives me the peace of mind that I am preparing Calle as best as possible for the demands of the course. The landing remains a physical force – but I now know that his body is getting the support it needs to absorb the impact.