Ginger for Horses: Effects, Dosage & Feeding for Joint Problems
You are standing at the grooming area, running your hands over your horse's legs and wondering how best to support their joints and tendons in everyday life. When looking into natural joint care, you almost inevitably come across a well-known home remedy: ginger for horses. This spicy root has established itself in many stables as a companion for greater joy of movement. But how do you feed it correctly? What alternatives and supplements are there to holistically support joint metabolism?
In this article, you will get honest, understandable, and reassuring answers based on research and practice – and you will find out how you can specifically support your horse's joint function every day, without any frustration at the feed trough.
Why the root is so popular: the basics
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been valued for centuries for its diverse properties. For our horses, the root is particularly interesting when it comes to supporting the musculoskeletal system – whether it is the dedicated sports horse that regularly performs, or the older horse that should remain mobile and happy in everyday life.
The secret of ginger lies in its secondary plant compounds. It contains so-called gingerols and shogaols. These pungent substances are known to support natural metabolism. For the vast majority of horses, movement is the be-all and end-all for healthy joints, because joint fluid is only produced through the constant alternation of loading and unloading. Natural nutrients supplement this process from the inside out.
The effects of ginger for horses: a look at the biology
When we take a closer look at the effects of ginger for horses, the plant-based pungent substances take centre stage. The gingerols in ginger unfold their properties directly in the metabolism, thus supporting the natural processes in the tissue.
Studies and decades of observation suggest that ginger can help to positively accompany the body's own maintenance of joint function. Many riders appreciate the root because they notice their horses moving with more motivation. Ginger provides valuable plant compounds that act as solid biological companions – always most effective as part of a good overall picture comprising sufficient free movement, appropriate training, and a high-quality forage supply.
Dosage of ginger for horses: finding the right amount
The appropriate dosage of ginger for horses depends heavily on individual acceptance and the objective. In practice, an amount of around 3 to 5 grams of dried ginger powder per 100 kilograms of body weight has usually proven effective.
Because ginger is extremely pungent, it must be introduced to the diet very slowly and in tiny steps. The body also needs some time: the first positive changes in the joy of movement can often be observed after 4 to 6 weeks. Consistent feeding over at least 8 to 12 weeks absolutely pays off when it comes to joint care.
An important note for competition riders: ginger is not ADMR-compliant in Germany. If you compete with your horse, you must observe a withdrawal period of 48 hours when feeding ginger.
Why joints need more than just plant compounds
While ginger stimulates joint metabolism via secondary plant compounds, joints, cartilage, and tendons also need substantial, physical building blocks for their stability and elasticity. A well-coordinated combination product delivers exactly these building blocks and, thanks to the synergy effect, does not require extreme individual dosages. The various nutrients complement each other perfectly:
- Glucosamine (1,500 mg): An essential building block for cartilage development that supports the natural shock absorption of the joint.
- Collagen (2,550 mg): The most important structural protein in the body. It provides the necessary elasticity and tensile strength for connective tissue, ligaments, and cartilage.
- MSM (2,250 mg): This organic sulphur is a fundamental building block that plays an important role in the regeneration of tendons and ligaments.
- Hyaluronic acid (150 mg): The main component of joint fluid (synovia). It ensures that the joint can glide smoothly.
Research also supports the fact that these building blocks form a strong team together. A crossover study (Murray et al., 2017) provides a very positive indication that precisely this kind of combination approach can excellently support a horse's joy of movement in everyday life.
Many feed manufacturers hide the exact amounts per daily ration behind vague percentages – with nuvallo move, we rely on absolute transparency so that you know exactly what your horse is getting.
The biggest practical challenge: feeding
If you have ever tried to feed a significant amount of ginger, bitter MSM, or fine cartilage powder, you will know the problem: the powder is dusty, and it radically changes the consistency and taste of the feed. Many horses ruthlessly sort it out or leave a sticky residue at the bottom of the trough.
Even if you go to the effort of dampening the powder, hiding it in sugar beet pulp, or stirring it into mash – that by no means works for every horse. It is incredibly frustrating to stand by the feed trough in the evening and wonder whether the valuable supplement is just sinking to the bottom of the bucket or being blown into the bedding by your horse.
Why we got rid of powder
Drawing on countless personal experiences at the stable, we asked ourselves: how do we ensure that every horse reliably ingests the full dose of joint nutrients – and actually looks forward to it? The answer is nuvallo move. We have packed the most valuable joint building blocks into a functional joint snack that you can simply feed from your hand as a reward.
With just 6 Snacks a day (for a horse weighing approx. 500 kg), you ensure that your horse's joints receive exactly the amount of glucosamine, collagen, MSM, and hyaluronic acid they need every single day. No weighing, no sorting out, no stress at the feed trough.
Because ultimately, the best supplement is not the one with the longest ingredient list or the highest laboratory value. It is the one that actually gets into the horse.
Trust and quality
So that you do not have to worry in everyday life, we rely on the highest standards:
- ADMR-compliant: Unlike ginger, nuvallo move Snacks can be fed with no withdrawal period – absolutely competition-safe.
- No added sugar: Also ideal for horses with a sensitive metabolism.
- High-quality carriers: Stomach-friendly linseed cake, rice bran, and linseed ensure maximum acceptance, completely free from wheat and corn.
- Quality from Europe: The highest manufacturing standards for peace of mind.
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee: Because we know how much horses love eating these Snacks.
About us: who is behind nuvallo
Katja and Andrés are the people behind nuvallo. With over 20 years of practical experience in equestrian sport, we know only too well how important strong joints and tendons are for our horses. In conversations with countless horse owners, we repeatedly find that there is a lack of understandable, honest information – and that is exactly why we write these articles. We want to give you the knowledge and tools to keep your horse happy and active for a long time.
Sources & studies
[1] Murray, R. C., et al. (2017). A crossover study of joint supplement efficacy in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 53, 114-121. [summarised]