Strong joints aren’t optional in horses. They’re non-negotiable.
Whether it’s an older gelding with arthritis or a five-year-old barrel racer burning through cartilage, joint stress adds up fast. And while the pet supplement market has exploded for dogs, horse owners are just now waking up to the value of early intervention.
That’s where the opportunity lies—for veterinarians looking to educate, and for feed brands looking to differentiate. But the truth is, most equine joint supplements on the market don’t live up to their labels. And that’s because the people making them don’t understand horses. Or joints.
So if you’re considering launching or reformulating a joint supplement for horses, here’s what you actually need to know before you put anything in a bucket.
What are the best joint supplements for horses?
The most effective joint supplements for horses include Glucosamine HCl, MSM, Chondroitin Sulfate, Hyaluronic Acid, and Hydrolyzed Collagen. These ingredients support cartilage repair, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. Top-performing formulas also prioritize palatability and bioavailability, because if a horse won’t eat it, it won’t work.
Who makes custom joint supplements for horses?
Veterinary clinics and feed brands often collaborate with equine supplement manufacturers, such as Pet Tech Labs, to develop custom or private label products tailored for specific use cases, including performance horses, recovery regimens, or daily mobility support.
Most folks assume joint care is something you deal with in a horse’s later years—but if that’s your angle, you’re already behind the curve. The best-performing brands we work with target multiple life stages and activity levels because joint degradation doesn’t wait for old age.
From the veterinary side, positioning your supplement as a preventative health tool rather than just a corrective one can drive better outcomes and repeat orders. For feed brands, that’s a marketing advantage most competitors haven’t figured out yet.
Here’s where most people blow it. They toss glucosamine in a tub, maybe sprinkle some MSM, and call it “premium.” But effective joint support blends are about balance, bioavailability, and actual performance, not just stacking buzzwords.
Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on ingredient quality. Cheap MSM clumps, smells bad, and tanks palatability. Same goes for underdosed HA – your label might look good, but the results won’t.
Brands that prioritize real actives—sourced properly, dosed correctly—stand out because the supplements actually work. And working products sell themselves.
You can build the most effective joint support blend in the world, but if horses won’t eat it—or owners struggle to dose it—it’s a waste of time and money. Delivery matters, especially in equine supplements where dosing is bulkier, palatability is harder, and feeding routines vary.
Here’s what to consider:
Palatability isn’t optional. Horses are quite picky. If your product smells off or clumps, the feed bucket gets ignored. That’s why we flavor-test every joint blend we produce because performance doesn’t matter if it’s left uneaten in the bin.
Most brands jump into the equine space thinking, “just add glucosamine,” and they’re golden. But let’s call out some common traps that kill product performance and sales.
Your goal should be function-first formulation backed by ingredient sourcing and palatability testing. That’s how long-term brands are built.
If you’re serious about building a high-performance joint supplement for horses, it’s not enough to get ingredients from a distributor and mix it in a garage. You need a manufacturing partner who understands equine physiology, sourcing integrity, and flavor engineering.
Here’s what we bring to the table at Pet Tech Labs:
And we’ll be honest with you. If your target market doesn’t need custom, we’ll recommend starting with a private label joint formula to get traction. We’re here to help you win, not just sell you tubs.
The horse supplement aisle is flooded with mediocre joint products, and most of them are built for margin, not mobility. That’s your opening.
If you’re a veterinarian, feed company, or boutique brand, you’re in a position to offer something better: joint support that’s actually built around performance, not marketing spin.
You’re not just tossing some glucosamine into a bucket. You’re building trust with every dose.
Whether you’re launching your first equine joint product or reformulating a line that’s lost momentum, Pet Tech Labs brings the expertise, sourcing, and real-world formulation experience to help you do it right.
Let’s talk. You can start with one of our proven joint support bases, or build something original that keeps horses moving and customers coming back.
Request a Formulation Consult or Schedule a Sample Kit
Look for a blend of Glucosamine HCl, MSM, Chondroitin Sulfate, Hyaluronic Acid, and Hydrolyzed Collagen. These ingredients support joint health, reduce inflammation, and promote mobility. Bonus: Omega-3s, turmeric, and boswellia for additional anti-inflammatory support.
It depends on your customers. Powders and top-dress granules are versatile and cost-effective. Pellets work great for feed integration but need careful processing to protect actives like HA. Pastes are best for clinical or rehab use. Always prioritize palatability—horses won’t eat bitter blends.
Private label supplements use ready-made formulas with your branding—fast and cost-effective. Custom formulation means building your own blend from the ground up, with unique ingredient combinations, delivery formats, and flavor systems. Great for standing out and solving niche problems.
Joint degradation starts earlier than most people think. Performance horses, overweight horses, and those recovering from injury all benefit from preventative joint support, not just treatment after symptoms appear. Many vets recommend starting support by age 5–6 for active horses.
Most generic blends underdose key actives, skip palatability testing, and ignore real-world feeding behaviors. If a supplement isn’t eaten or bioavailable, it doesn’t help. That’s why sourcing, dosing, and delivery format matter—and why brands partner with equine-specific manufacturers.
Yes. Pet Tech Labs partners with feed brands, clinics, and boutique supplement companies to develop custom joint supplements for horses. From private label to fully bespoke formulations, we bring cGMP manufacturing, palatability R&D, and equine-specific expertise to every project.