Lahmheit beim Pferd: Ursachen erkennen und richtig behandeln

Lameness in horses: recognising the causes and treating them correctly

You fetch your horse from the paddock, looking forward to a relaxed ride – and then you spot it on the very first few metres: the gait is irregular, your horse is slightly off or taking shorter steps. Lameness in a horse is probably one of the moments that worries us most as owners.

Let's be completely honest from the start: you cannot simply feed away acute lameness. Investigating the cause must always come first. But the good news is that the vast majority of cases are harmless, such as a minor tweak in the paddock, and heal completely with a little rest and patience.

And this is exactly where the exciting part begins, the part you can actively manage every day. The most common form of lameness is related to the strain on joints, ligaments, and tendons – and you can specifically support exactly these working structures on a daily basis. Feeding, movement, and training form a strong team here. In this article, you will find honest, clear, and reassuring answers based on research and practice to help you best support your active horse.

The basics: what you need to know about an irregular gait

First, it is important to understand that lameness is not an illness in itself, but always a symptom. It is your horse's way of saying that a specific movement is currently uncomfortable.

Spotting the onset of lameness in a horse often requires a keen eye. Sometimes it is just a slight head bob in trot as the horse takes the weight off the painful leg, or a slightly shortened stride on one rein. Often, you simply feel it as a rider because the impulsion is lacking or the horse tilts its poll.

As mentioned, a harmless overstrain is usually the cause. However, there are clear warning signs where you shouldn't wait. A vet is essential if the horse suddenly cannot bear weight on the leg at all, if the joint or hoof is throbbing intensely, hot, or swollen, or if the horse has a temperature. In such cases, a sound diagnosis provides clarity. The medical treatment of lameness in horses is then specifically tailored to the vet's findings – ranging from box rest and anti-inflammatories to remedial shoeing.

Once the acute phase has passed, or as a general preventative measure, the focus shifts to everyday life. Movement and good joint care through their feed complement each other perfectly.

The active ingredients – and what the research shows

When we talk about strengthening the musculoskeletal system, certain nutrients crop up time and time again. These are the body's own building blocks that we can specifically supplement through feed to support the natural function of cartilage and tendons.

Glucosamine: The buffer in the joint

Glucosamine is an essential building block for cartilage formation and plays a central role in natural shock absorption within the joint. Studies suggest that the targeted supplementation of glucosamine can actively support cartilage metabolism. It helps the body to produce the glycosaminoglycans that are important for cartilage elasticity.

Collagen: The framework for elasticity

Collagen is a structural protein and essentially the internal framework for cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It ensures tensile strength and elasticity. When horses move a lot, intact connective tissue is essential for safely absorbing the forces at play.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): Support for regeneration

MSM is an organic sulphur compound. Sulphur is indispensable in the body, especially when it comes to the regeneration of tendons and ligaments. Practical observations and nutritional studies strongly indicate that MSM can positively support natural regeneration processes following exercise.

Hyaluronic acid: The joint fluid

You might know hyaluronic acid as the main component of synovia, the so-called joint fluid. It makes the fluid viscous and ensures that the joint surfaces glide smoothly over one another. Oral hyaluronic acid is exceptionally well-tolerated as a nutritional building block and supports viscosity within the joint space.

These nutrients are genuine building blocks for healthy joints, and are most effective when combined with movement and good management. They don't treat the symptom of acute lameness itself – but they form the foundation for daily preventative care and a resilient, active horse.

Dosage and practical use

For these nutrients to do their job, they must reach the horse in the right amounts. Certain guidelines have proven successful in studies and daily practice.

For a large horse (approx. 500 kg), we recommend a maintenance dose of 6 snacks daily (which equates to around 30 g). During acute periods of strain or for initial support, feeding double the amount for the first 2 to 3 weeks and then returning to the normal daily ration has proven effective. For lighter or heavier horses, you simply adjust the amount accordingly (e.g., 4–5 snacks for ponies, 7–8 for very heavily built horses).

A major advantage of good joint products is the synergy effect: because the ingredients support each other in their function, there is no need for extreme, isolated single dosages.

A quick note on transparency: according to the Feed Regulation (EC) No 767/2009, manufacturers are not obliged to state the exact amount of active ingredients per daily ration. When a product openly shows you these mg figures, it is a strong sign of quality and reliability.

However, the most important ingredient remains patience. Cartilage and tendons have a slow metabolism. Plan for at least 8 to 12 weeks of consistent feeding. The first positive changes in their freedom of movement can often be seen after just 4 to 6 weeks – continuous care really pays off here.

Why the combination is more than the sum of its parts

The various active ingredients target completely different areas of the musculoskeletal system. While glucosamine (1,500 mg per daily ration) targets the cartilage and hyaluronic acid (150 mg) nourishes the joint fluid, collagen (2,550 mg) and MSM (2,250 mg) strengthen the elastic connective tissue of the tendons and ligaments.

Research results, such as the crossover study by Murray et al. (2017), offer very positive indications that precisely this combined approach is especially valuable for horses. When several building blocks cleverly interlock, you achieve comprehensive support. This harmonious interaction is exactly what nuvallo move is designed for.

The biggest practical challenge: feeding

We can talk endlessly about valuable nutrients – but on the yard, it often fails at something completely basic: the feeding itself. Most joint supplements come as a fine powder. It's dusty, alters the consistency of the hard feed, and MSM also brings a distinctly bitter note.

Many horse owners know the frustration: you try to mix the powder into their mash, dampen the feed, or attempt to hide it in an apple. But horses are masters at sorting their feed. They eat cleanly around the apple or leave the exact dregs in the feed bowl where the expensive powder has collected. You stand by the bowl in the evening wondering how much of the dose actually ended up in your horse.

Why we did away with powder

It was precisely out of this frustration that nuvallo move was born. The crucial question for us was not only how to put together the best combination of active ingredients, but above all: how do we ensure that every horse reliably consumes the full dose – and actually enjoys it?

The solution is a functional joint snack that you simply feed from your hand like a reward. Thanks to the stomach-friendly base of linseed cake and rice bran, nuvallo move tastes excellent. Every snack contains a precisely defined amount of active ingredients. No more weighing, no dust, no sorting out.

Just as a reminder: in the event of acute complaints, the vet is of course the first port of call. But after that, for gradual rebuilding and daily care, the snack offers you absolutely reliable support.

Because ultimately, the best supplement isn't the one with the longest list of ingredients or the highest laboratory value. It's the one that actually ends up in the horse.

nuvallo move at a glance

ADMR compliant: No withdrawal period, completely tournament-safe.
No added sugar: Also ideal for horses with sensitive metabolisms, free from wheat and corn.
Highest quality: Carefully manufactured in Europe.
30-day satisfaction guarantee: Because we know that acceptance in practice is what matters most.

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 all too well how important smooth movements and strong joints are for our horses. In conversations with countless horse owners, we constantly find that there is a lack of clear, honest information – and that is exactly why we write these articles. We want to help you make informed decisions for your horse, completely without stress at the feed bowl.