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HorseAdvice.com » Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Oral Glucosamine, ChonDrOitin Sulfate, and Hyaluronic Acid, their use in Arthritis »
  Discussion on Corta-Flx
Author Message
Member:
Mleeb

Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 8:40 pm:

Has anyone out there used Corta-Flx? I haven't seen any mention of it in particular, so I thought I would ask. I'm trying to find out what doses people have used, what results they saw, and do horses actually like to eat it? I have a picky eater, and I really don't want to start syringing it down his throat. Also, I would hate to spend all that money and then not even be able to get it into my horse.
Member:
Scooter

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 6:49 am:

Hi Michelle, I had my horses on it for about a year and really didn't see much improvement, tho some people swear by it. None of mine turned up their noses at it but they are not very fussy.
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 8:17 am:

Hi, Michelle,

I swtiched my horse to Corta flx pellets approx 2 years ago. (I was giving my horse Cosequin for a few years. While I don't think the taste was an issue, he didn't finish often. I think it was due to the powder falling through and he didn't care to eat that and it was just getting wasted.) I tried the liquid first, but he didn't like the taste at all - he wouldn't eat his grain. The vet said most horses like the pellets. While on the Cosequin, I was getting his hocks injected every 9-12 months as he would start compenstating for a sore hock around that time. With the Corta-flx pellets, he eats every single one. I also feed a vitamin powder, Aspirease and brewer's yeast (to hide the aspirin taste even though the molasses powder seems enough to do the trick.) He licks his feed bowl clean. It has been over 18 months now and I don't see a need for hock injections yet. I still wonder if the Corta-flx is helping him, but things are going well and don't see a need to change.
Member:
Frances

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 8:31 am:

Hi Michelle,

My mare's been on Corta-flx liquid with HA for about 2 years. She doesn't seem to mind the taste, and it may have contributed to her improvement (arthritis & ligament) so, like Nadia, I'm continuing (don't dare to stop actually). Whether it has really made a difference I'll probably never know.

Lynn
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 10:34 am:

I've used Corta-Flx for a few years. You see the quickest results with the liquid but I've used it in all three forms. It just seems to take a little longer to get it built-up into their system with the powder or pellets. I use the pellets right now because it is the easiest. My horses eat it fine in any form. One of the main reasons I use it is because of an equine podiatrist specialist who said the best supplement you can give to improve a horse's hooves is a good joint supplement because it helps all of the interior workings of the foot. One of my horses was lame off and on for a few years (diagnosed navicular synDrOme and arthritis, but I never had X-rays) and through experimenting I discovered a continual loading dose (full scoop morning and evening) keeps him moving extremely well. If I go back to a maintenance dose he gets lame. A scoop is for an 1100 pound horse, if I recall correctly. This horse weights more than that, and has some rather serious issues. In talking to the Corta-Flx representative, if you give too much it will pass through their system harmlessly. She also said that the dosage needs to be adjusted according to the horse's weight, and sometimes increased for the severity of the problem. For some horses this product is miraculous and seems to give them what they need.
Member:
Dyduroc

Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 3:55 pm:

Michelle, my horse has been on Corta-Rx (Corta-Flx Rx solution) for 3 years as part of an arthritis management program prescribed by my vet. I use the liquid during the warm months and the powder during the winter. There's never been a problem with her eating the grain we mix with the Corta-Rx but she's not a picky eater.

She's a big horse (approx. 1700 lbs.) so she gets 1.5 times the recommended daily dose.

I can honestly tell you that my horse is moving better today than she was 3 years ago but need to add that she's also being treated for another health issue that affects her legs (in addition to the arthritis). The combined treatments seem to be working but who knows which element(s) are responsible?

D.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 6:52 pm:

Hello Michelle,
We talk about Corta-Flex specifically in the article.
DrO
Member:
Mleeb

Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 5:51 pm:

Hi Dr. O,
I know you mention Corta-Flx in the article, it's just that it's touched on so briefly, and I was hoping for extra feedback. For example, no where in any literature does it say what the stuff tastes like!
I just found some info on it hidden in a PDF file on the corta-flx website. It says it contains "...microsized isolates of nutrients comparable to the active ingredients of chonDrOitin, glucosamine, and MSM.." The word "comparable" used in any less reputable brand name would make me run from purchasing this product. Also, I finally found the guaranteed analysis of Corta-Flx. I've left out the parts I understand (i.e. fiber!). Here's the rest, maybe you could explain them?
Glycine 1%
Glutamine 1%
Glucuronic Acid 0.50%
Aspartic acid 0.50%
Lysine 0.50%
Proline 0.31%
Glutamic acid 0.30%
Arginine 0.21%
Threonine 0.08%
In addition, there is 40 mg/serving of hyaluric acid (but I know what that part is!)

I guess what I am asking is this: What exactly are all of these things, and if you read this analysis on a product whose name you didn't know, would you consider it worth trying?
Thanks
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 8:38 am:

Except for the glucuronic acid, these are amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Glucuronic acid is a glucose molecule which has had its sixth carbon atom (of six total) oxidized. It has the chemical formula C6H10O7. None of these have any known bearing on the products usefulness as a joint supplement but are not harmful either.

I would buy any product who's company I had some reason to believe was dependable and that contains the ingredients in the proportions and amounts per serving listed in the article.
DrO
New Member:
heatherm

Posted on Saturday, Feb 24, 2007 - 4:36 am:

DrO, why would you buy "any product who's company I had some reason to believe was dependable........." when there is no evidence, except anecdotal and one small qualatative study funded by Cortaflx,to prove that Cortaflx makes any difference to joint health and integrity?Thanks, Heather
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 24, 2007 - 8:11 am:

Hello R Meese,
I think our article's introductory paragraph to the presentation of the research you refer to above explains it pretty well:

The following is the discussion of a paper presented at the 2002 AAEP that strongly supports the idea that oral chonDrOitin sulfates are beneficial for the use of arthritis. The product used in this study was Corta-flx by Nature's Own, Aiken, SC. The results strongly support that this product was beneficial. The project was funded by Nature's own but the researcher's integrity is well known and the study well designed. We still would like to see independent confirmation of this important study, longer range studies done, dosing titration, and wonder about the significance to this research to other similar products. ~DrO

DrO
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