With extensive experience in animal health sales, strategic business development, and equine joint health, FEI-level dressage competitor Alexandra Medved serves as the national sales and global technical manager at Interpath Global, championing 4CYTE™ as a leading solution for advancing joint health in companion and working animals. 

The Horse (TH): Can you explain what osteoarthritis is and why early detection is so important for horse owners?

AM: Osteoarthritis is a condition of the joint that involves multiple structures within the joint. It is often caused by trauma, such as an acute injury, infection, or by wear and tear. Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory process that affects joint structures including the synovial fluid, cartilage, and the joint capsule. 

It is a progressive disease, often starting many years before we, as people or animal owners, notice any overt clinical signs such as lameness or stiffness. Early detection is crucial because there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis. The best we can hope to achieve is slowing down the progression of the disease. Identifying at-risk horses and incorporating preventive care into their daily routine is key. Additionally, recognizing mild and subtle signs early allows us to take proactive steps to manage the condition before it progresses. 

TH: Many horse owners might dismiss early signs of OA as behavioral issues, such as a horse being “naughty.” What are some other common, yet misunderstood, early indicators of joint pain?

AM: We often hear people say, “Oh, he’s just being naughty,” or “He’s just a bit stiff.” As a horse owner myself, I find this frustrating because animals, especially horses, are not standing in the paddock plotting ways to misbehave during training sessions. 

As riders, we might notice reluctance in the horse to move forward, feeling like they are behind the leg. Often, inconsistency in the contact is a common sign, and people might rush to change the bit or assume there is an issue in the mouth. However, the real issue can often originate in the limbs—the horse is simply not wanting to move forward and establish that connection to the bridle. 

Resistances could show up in lateral work, or the horse might struggle to pick up a canter lead on the left because the right hind bears the weight during the canter strike-off. This could indicate discomfort in the right hock. Front-end lameness is easier to detect due to the noticeable head bobbing, whereas hind-end lameness can be more subtle, often appearing as a dip in the hip joint or irregular stride length. 

Common physical signs include heat or swelling in a joint. As owners, it is important to assess our horses’ symmetry daily. When checking our horses in the morning, we need to take a moment to look over their legs and observe any differences in limb symmetry. This can help us identify heat or swelling early, allowing for prompt attention. 

TH: Why is it crucial to start joint care early in a horse’s life, even if there are no obvious signs of OA?

AM: Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease that begins with subtle joint changes, often starting at an early age. Inflammation within the synovial capsule can occur long before any clinical signs appear in the horse. Inflammatory chemicals accumulate over time, gradually affecting joint health. 

A minor strain or wear and tear in a young horse might go unnoticed, but by age 8 or 9, early signs such as occasional stiffness that improves with movement could emerge. Since there is no cure for OA, the focus should be on slowing its progression. Implementing a daily regimen that supports the horse’s ability to meet their athletic demands and enhances joint function is key. 

TH: What makes 4CYTE™ different from other joint supplements on the market?

AM: The active ingredient in 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte for horses is Epiitalis®, a patented plant seed oil extract from Biota orientalis. Epiitalis® is the exclusive active ingredient in 4CYTE™ and is backed by peer-reviewed and published studies. Many other supplements lack validated research showing their efficacy, but Interpath Global, the creator of Epiitalis®, continues to invest heavily in research and is committed to advancing joint health science. Many of our papers have been peer-reviewed—ensuring the quality of studies and outcomes—and published in prestigious medical journals, which gives consumers confidence in the product’s efficacy. 

4CYTE™ supports normal joint function, mobility, and flexibility in horses with conditions such as osteoarthritis. For example, a dog or horse with OA might show improvement in lameness within 14 days of receiving Epiitalis®. We also have shown clear evidence of improvement using X rays in a study with horses that had bone chips, those receiving Epiitalis® for 70 days had much better joint health than those who did not receive the supplement. 

4CYTE™ is suitable for long-term use and is scientifically proven to help maintain joint health and function. 

TH: Is 4CYTE™ suitable for all horses, from young performance horses to retired companions? How can different types of horses benefit from it?

AM: Many people assume young horses don’t need joint support products like 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte, but prevention is always better. Once we ask athletic animals to perform tasks outside their natural movement, such as dressage and show jumping, where they have to engage their hindquarters more, or reining and cutting, their joints need extra support. Even for young performance horses, providing daily joint support can help ensure they can meet the demands of their sport and have long and happy careers. 

Acute inflammation from an injury is natural, but chronic inflammation is the real concern—it can persist in the joint for years, causing lasting harm. That’s why we recommend joint support from an early age, even for younger horses. For older horses, including schoolmasters or retired competition horses, it’s equally important to ensure their comfort. Even if they’re not competing, the inflammatory process continues, as long as there’s joint damage. 

TH: How should horse owners incorporate 4CYTE™ into their horse’s routine? Does it work best as a preventive approach or only after clinical signs appear; what can the owner expect to see in their horses and when?

AM: When used as a supportive approach, 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® can easily be incorporated into a horse’s daily routine. The oral gel is a highly palatable product, though some horses might need a few days to get used to it, especially if they initially mistake it for something like a deworming product. Once they realize it’s something tasty, it’s simple to administer daily. 

For horses diagnosed with osteoarthritis, or older horses that need joint support, even if the lameness is subtle or not obvious, riders often notice their horse starts moving more freely and connecting better to the bridle, with improved push and overall movement. 

TH: Can 4CYTE™ be safely used alongside other joint treatments or medications?

AM: In the acute stage of joint injury or post-orthopedic-surgery, 4CYTE™ is suitable to use alongside other pain-relief medications. In our canine studies we tested 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte Dog alongside pharmaceuticals such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or injectable joint products in dogs with already well-managed osteoarthritis. Even with these existing treatments, adding 4CYTE™ to their daily regimen led to further improvements in their outcomes. 

TH: Describe a real-world success story or case study you’ve seen with horses on 4CYTE™.

AM: At trade shows we often hear success stories from owners. One notable example is a couple of retired barrel racing horses that returned to competition after starting 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte. 

Another story involved a 24-year-old pony that had been calm and well-behaved for a 5-year-old rider. After starting the pony on 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte, the child fell off a couple of times, and the mom wondered if the pony was becoming too excitable. We believed the pony was likely feeling more comfortable, making him more active and forward-moving, which was a bit more than the child could handle. 

TH: Interpath Global was founded due to a lack of safe and effective long-term joint care options. How has this mission shaped the development of 4CYTE™?

AM: Interpath Global was founded by Dan and Corina Bright in the mid-90s, inspired by their beloved family dog, Sasha, a Rottweiler-German Shepherd mix. Sasha began showing signs of joint pain and, at the time, the only effective option was for her to be prescribed a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). While NSAIDs work well for acute injuries, there are concerns with longer-term use. 

The Brights were driven to find a more natural, yet effective solution, leading to the discovery of Epiitalis®. Since then, they’ve invested heavily in research to understand Epiitalis®’ mode of action; recent results have been incredibly promising, offering exciting possibilities for the future. 

Osteoarthritis is an inevitable reality for many horses, but early detection and proactive care can make a lasting difference in their comfort and mobility. By recognizing subtle signs of joint pain and incorporating proven support such as 4CYTE™, alongside other modalities, veterinarians and owners can work together to slow OA progression before it impacts horses’ performance and quality of life. 4CYTE™ offers a proactive approach to joint health, helping horses—from elite athletes to beloved companions—maintain soundness and mobility at every stage of life. The best time to act is before problems arise, making early joint care an essential investment in a horse’s future well-being.