Administering Hyaluronic Acid to Performance

Horses

Karey L. McPheeDecember 4, 2008

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Performance Horses Racing, endurance, cutting,

rodeo, etc… Susceptible to joint issues like

any athlete Weight vs. Joint Size

Success administering H.A. for joint problems

Essential for joint health Bodies produce less H.A. after

4 years old (Engstrom-Laurent, 1989) OCD, DJD, Epiphisitis,

Arthritis

Healthy Joints

Hyaluronic Acid Ubiquitous in

vertebrates Naturally occurring

Sodium Hyaluronate Combined with blood

plasma synovial fluid (Nizolek and White, 1981)

Lubricates joints Highly viscous

Provides nutrients to cartilage and surrounding tissues

Three Common Administration Methods

Direct Injection

Intravenous Injection

Oral Administration

Direct Injection Draw out existing fluid and inject:

HA Legend (Bayer)

Cortisone Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycans

(PSGAGs) Adequan (Luitpold)

Invasive Downtime Expensive Destructive? (Treiber, 2007) Masks problem

Pierce, 2003 suggests HA goes elsewhere

Intravenous Injection Maintenance practice Distributed via blood

Circulating H.A. lasts 2-3 days (Pierce, 2003)

Painful Invasive Expensive

IV Legend $25/shot Not as effective as oral

H.A. to increase H.A. serum levels (Pierce, 2003)

Oral Administration Several Forms

Powder Easiest to administer

Gel Cost effective

Nutraceutical/mineral package

1-3 days as needed Non-invasive More effective method for

maintaining H.A. serum levels (Pierce, 2003)

Prevention!!!!! More cost effective to prevent

joint issues rather than treat Best way to prevent

Oral H.A. Consistent

Increase performance Horses “protect” themselves

Pain decreases performance Maximize days in training

Less days out due to soreness

On average 5 more days in training (Pierce, 2003)

Extend competitive career Sound horses last longer!