Cutting-Edge
Equine Sports Performance Products
Joint treatments for Horses
Welcome to Equiprovetsa, your reliable partner for maintaining peak performance in horses. With years of dedicated service, we've garnered the trust of top riders in South Africa. Our team is committed to product expertise and has built lasting partnerships, contributing to the well-being of horses.
Monthly joint maintenance programme, & Therapy for
Injuries
Tendon repairs
Highly beneficial to high loading joints -shoulders, stifles, knees, fetlocks
Soft tissue maintenance
& support
EquiproVet SA products may assist with:
We compound top of the range joint injectables and a range of gold standard suppositories
Frequently Asked Questions
(Please note that the name Legend is included as most riders only know HA by the registered product’s name)
Pentosan is listed as both a Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Drug (DMOAD) and a Structural / Symptom Modifying Osteoarthritic (SMOAD). HA is a Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Drug (DMOAD) only, that does not mean that it is not valuable, it works to help joints in a different way.
Pentosan has a very different action in the body and joints compared to HA, it is similar in its benefits to joints as PSGAG (Equaan), in that it works to improve joint metabolism, minimize inflammation, and increase the production of High Molecular Weight HA.
Pentosan can be used in therapeutic dosing for seriously damaged joints, particularly where there are cartilaginous lesions. This normally consists of weekly injections for a period of anything from 3 to 5 weeks, followed by monthly maintenance.
It is also seen to be very beneficial for “ligamenty” horses who always seem a little tight and restricted in their use of their body.
Hyaluronic Acid or Sodium Hyaluronate, is found naturally at a High Molecular Weight in our horses. Conformation, work, injury, or the aging process gradually reduce the quality, viscosity, and amount of HA in our horse’s bodies. HA lubricates fascia, allowing for healthy fascial glide, resulting in less soft tissue pain and restrictions.
It also forms the lubrication and nutrition for joints, it protects cartilage from damage, provides cushioning to joints (which is why as horse’s age, we often feel them get more “jarry “in their way of going).
The natural life cycle of HA is large molecules of HMW HA are produced by the body. They are gradually broken down, by work, concussion and their natural lifecycle and effuse out of the joint as new molecules are produced and take their place.
Providing a HMW HA provides more cushioning for longer, reduces the stress and energy requirements on the body to produce massive quantities of good quality HA, particularly where there is injury or compromised joints.
In certain cases, sports medicine vets, have used a weekly injection of HMW HA to boost the body’s levels and then put the horse onto the required maintenance programme.
Legend is probably the best-known registered HA product available in South Africa. It is a Low Molecular Weight HA product (500 000 dalton), administered to horses every three to four months to assist joint maintenance. It is often also used intra articular, with the standard precaution to keep an eye open for any joint swelling, heat or lameness.
Yes, there are a few, one is our own locally compounded “Biojoint “(Low Molecular Weight of 500 000 dalton) It is unique in its molecular weight in SA (High Molecular Weight HA 2 800 000 to 3 200 000 daltons).
As riders it is important to know what is available, and what works best for your horse. Not every horse responds the same to every product.
Polyulfated glycosaminoglycan commonly known as PSGAG . It is a treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis. Our Equaan suppositories contain 1000mg PSGAG and are used for small and large animals with great success, by working in the body’s own anabolic processes to, minimize inflammation, improve joint metabolism and health, produce collagen, increase the quantity and viscosity of joint fluid, as well as through its anabolic processes, improve and maintain the health and integrity of fascia.
Like Pentosan it is both a Disease Modifying Osteoarthritic Drug (DMOAD) and a Structure / Symptom Modifying Osteoarthritis Drug (SMOAD). It is currently only available in SA as Equaan, supplied by Equiprovetsa.
It may well be that your horse’s HA levels, quality and viscosity are great, that adding more HA at this point is not necessary. We often find this in young horses, where the body still functions so well, that we don’t feel a difference. This does not mean that you should not support your youngster, you can keep the body functioning at a younger metabolic age, by limiting stress and excessive demands on it by supporting joint and soft tissue health from a young age.
It may also be that your particular horse would benefit from joint and soft tissue support from a different angle, such as the limiting of inflammation. In this instance, I would recommend starting with a nutraceutical like Equaan 1000, which provides the benefits of PSGAG without having to use it in injectable format. This provides a very sound and strong foundation for veterinary joint products to build on and should increase the benefit realized from injectable joint support.
We always recommend starting with the best product able to provide a solid foundation on which to build your support. The best of these products are designed to really support your horse overall, and are more affordable for maintenance than most injectables, allowing any tiered support to target more specific issues with the greatest impact, as and when required.
We would recommend:
Foundation Maintenance – Equaan for its role in preventing inflammation, improving the quality and viscosity of joint fluid, protecting cartilage and maintaining the health and integrity of fascia.
Lubrication and hydrostatic pressure maintenance – a High Molecular Weight HA product for sustained benefit and support. Biojoint injectable or suppositories are both hugely beneficial.
Therapeutic Courses and Maintenance – PSGAG or Pentosan and certain combination products, which provide additional synergistic therapeutic benefits, these may be used as an annual course for a serious boost prior to a BIG competition such as the FEI World Cup, Derby and SA Champs, (Pentosan / HA, PSGAG / HA / Glucosamine, PSGAG / HA)
Pre performance Boosts – Equaan in loading dose, ensures that your horse’s joints and soft tissue are at their best. Combined with a combination product injectable, you receive the benefit of three powerful ingredients, which work on a specific timeline of release, making sure that your horse finishes as strongly as he started the show.
Intra articular support – Using a sterile High Molecular Weight HA gel intra articular, can assist with cartilage lesion levelling, buffering and protection of the cartilage and synovium, and provide enhanced nutrition to the joint. Please note that ongoing use of cortisone into the joint, shuts down pain receptors and negatively affects joint metabolism, negating or minimizing the benefit of any regenerative modality used in the joint. Cortisone has a useful role in joint treatments, especially where stopping the inflammatory process is imperative, BUT this has to be followed by rest, so that additional damage to the joint does not occur, while they can’t feel it.
Combination products - there has been research conducted into the synergistic benefits when certain ingredients are combined. These are beneficial for the timed release of each active ingredient. Many are designed for the most rapidly absorbed ingredients to provide a foundation for the second quickest absorbed product to build etc. an excellent example of this is our “ Multiboost”, a locally compounded product which vets inject for arthritis in small animals, and as a pre-show booster in horses.
Our range of suppositories offer a targeted drug delivery system with rapid absorption. The drugs are delivered directly to the blood stream with no effect to the gastric system and no pain or action of site related issues.
Customer Testimonials
Supplementing with Equaan is a safe and reliable way to support your horse's joints. Mobility, longevity, and freedom during every activity are what this product stands for. And it is suitable for every horse, whatever his activity level and no matter what discipline.
- Elena Jankowitz
My horse Callaho Le Padre owned by Ronel Gilbert owned by Ronel Gilbert from Manor D’Or Stables, started using Equaan in 2022. Like everyone, I am always looking to keep up with the best ways to keep my horses feeling at their prime. With Equaan, I find that Le Padre feels better in competition than ever before.
He is quite an exuberant horse and likes to play in between jumps so keeping him feeling happy is key.
Part of my post-show work with him is to take him trotting on the road and since using Equaan he feels just as springy in post-show workouts, as he does before the show.
-Zdenek Muchna
EquiprovetSA supplies top-class products. You can rest assure that your horse is benefitting from the very best. Great customer service too. Highly recommend!
- Rene Albertyn
A huge thanks to EquiproVet SA with Tracy Finch. The Eqaan product has had a massive positive impact on Jester's comfort, strength, balance and soundness.
- Sarah Aitchison
Cleo, my grey mare, entered semi-retirement in 2020 after we decided to take a break from riding, which turned into a permanent separation from jumping. Despite the change, Cleo remained in our home. Recently, my husband Raymond Aitchison and Cleo developed a friendship and began jumping together. After introducing Cleo to the joint supplement from EquiproVet SA, with Tracy Finch, the transformation has been remarkable. Cleo is now happy and thriving in her work with Raymond, illustrating the importance of listening to horses. Delighted that both of them are enjoying their time together.
- Sarah Aitchison
This is our girl. Seeis Mamili. The Equaan has done wonders for her. She feels amazing!
- Carryn Sander
Customer service is great at EquiproVet, got a question, they got the answer. Doesn't matter what your horse's problem is. My 18 year old endurance Arab has been on Equaan for a while and his overall stiffness had improved alot. He just feels more comfortable when working and the product is easy to use. Thanks EquiproVet SA for keeping my old man happy!
- Rohzanne Le Roux
I've brought my horse out of retirement. Equaan has given him a new lease on life!
Amazing stuff!
- Bernadette Versveld
Davenport Razzamatazz - been on Equaan for this last year. She is in great form!
- Siobhan Ralston
Get in touch for more
information or to order
Call/Whatsapp : 083 254 3844
Email: tracy.equiprovet@gmail.com
Delivery: We cold ship overnight country wide via The Courier Guy
Get to know us
As a competitive dressage rider herself, Tracy understands the complexity of keeping the performance horse in top condition.
Tracy has extensive knowledge of the EquiproVet SA products and holds the sole distribution rights for Southern Africa.
We are not veterinarians and make no claims to be vets. What we offer is a wealth of knowledge and research pertaining to our products, an intimate knowledge of horses whether it is as competition riders ourselves, specialists in rehabilitation work, or human medical professionals.
What we believe in is proactive joint management to maintain the integrity and performance of your horse’s joints. In cases where horses have serious issues with soundness and performance, we prefer to work hand in hand with your veterinarian. This ensures that your horse receives the best care possible, the extensive knowledge and experience that your veterinarian offers you, coupled with our passion and knowledge of our products and how and where they are most effective.
The Team undergoes extensive product training and is available to discuss horses of any age or breed and level and stage of work, in order to personalize a joint maintenance programme to suit your horse’s individual requirements and sustainability.
Johannesburg
Trudy Cumberland
Contact: 083 297 3087
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Mandy Prince
Contact: 082 573 7716
Western Cape
Gail Hutchings
Contact: 083 287 5090
Nelspruit
Kim Husband
Contact : 074 603 0441
Pretoria
Rene Albertyn
Contact: 079 530 2262
George
AJ Rademeyer
Contact: 082 880 8224