A recent study conducted by Murray State University in Kentucky has found type II collagen to be more effective than glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of arthritis, reported TheHorse.com.

Horses in the study received either a placebo, various amounts of type II collagen, or glucosamine with chondroitin. Approximately 20 horses received the supplements for 150 days.

While horses receiving glucosamine with chondroitin did show significant decreases in pain, horses that were administered type II collagen showed more profound results. Horses in the placebo group showed no changes. Pain was evaluated through series of 60-second flexion tests, followed by observing the animal at a trot.

Ramesh Gupta, DVM, author of the study, and his colleagues reported that 480 mg of type II collagen was the most effective dosage.

The study, “Therapeutic efficacy of undenatured type-II collagen (UC II) in comparison to glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic horses,” was published in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.