We were first introduced to 4CYTE EPIITALIS FORTE Gel a few years ago when I had two older 3* horses on the team. It gave us a non-invasive and cost-effective option for joint management, and the results were better than we could ever have expected. Eventing is tough...

I am a big believer in feeding joint supplements from a young age and not just when the horse reaches his geriatric years. This approach is based on the fact that, while arthritis and cartilage deterioration is mainly a problem for mature horses, the activity often begins early in life and by the time you notice stiffness and soreness in the joint, the process is well under way. If there is a chance I can help prevent this procedure or at least vastly slow it down, I want to take it.

We take joint health very seriously, as it’s critical in the long-term competition career of a high-level dressage horse.

The Australian team vet said, Andrew, you need to try this product. This is actually really good. So this is how it all unfolded. When something like this comes from a person who is very qualified – he’s the Australian team vet – they’re not going to put me with a product that they don’t believe in. So this is where I said, ‘ok, let’s make this happen.