Tacoma Equine Hospital |

Sports Medicine

Horses are talented athletes who, with their owners, engage in many disciplines. The desire of riders to be successful competitors has made the soundness and integrity of their horses of paramount importance. To this end, we offer an extensive lameness exam to identify and solve the issues that arise with a horse’s soundness. In addition, we offer a variety of therapies to treat lameness issues and to keep your horse competition-ready.

Evaluation

Maintaining peak performance starts with a sound horse. Our Comprehensive Soundness & Lameness Evaluations are designed to diagnose subtle and complex movement issues, helping to identify the root cause of discomfort or decreased performance. Using a thorough hands-on assessment, advanced diagnostic tools, and a tailored approach, we evaluate gait abnormalities, joint health, soft tissue integrity, and overall biomechanics. Whether addressing an existing lameness issue or proactively monitoring your horse’s soundness, we create customized treatment and rehabilitation plans to keep them performing at their best.

Schedule an evaluation today to ensure your horse stays sound, strong, and competitive.

Evaluations may include:

Thorough Hands-on Exam
Gait Analysis at multiple gaits
Hoof Testing
Joint Flexion Tests
Longeing
Diagnostic Nerve and Joint Blocks
Digital Radiography
Digital Ultrasound

Recommended Therapies may include:

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program
Joint Health Medications
Orthobiologic Treatment
Joint Therapies
Acupuncture Treatment
Chiropractic Treatment
Class IV Cold Laser Therapy
Shockwave Therapy
Musculoskeletal Surgeries

Joint Therapies

Steroids & Hyaluraonic Acid

Stopping inflammation is key to controlling arthritis progression. Intra-articular cortisone is one of the best treatments for stopping inflammation. The arthritis will continue to progress (because the horse will continue to do athletic endeavors), but the process will slow and the horse will feel better. Adding Hyaluronic Acid to the injection targets the joint capsule, decreases inflammation in that tissue, and helps it to begin secreting more normal healthy joint fluid.

Polyacrylamide Gels: ArthramidVet® & Noltrex®Vet

A new treatment, polyacrylamide gel (PAAG), shows promise for improving joint health in horses. Injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) induces a beneficial inflammation needed for long-term osteoarthritis relief while providing scaffolding for tissue regeneration. PAAG acts as a lubricant and cushion, similar to hyaluronic acid (HA), but lasts longer and doesn't require metabolism. It offers long-term support, particularly for senior horses, without the risks of steroids. There are two PAAG types available: 2.5% (ArthramidVet®) and 4% (Noltrex®Vet). The 2.5% version integrates with synovial cells, enhancing joint elasticity, while the 4% functions as a surface lubricant, reducing friction on cartilage lesions and aiding in cartilage healing.

Joint Health

Adequan®

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan is a naturally-occurring complex molecule that is the essential building block of the cartilage matrix. Marketed as Adequan®i.m., this product travels into injured joints and stimulates production of new cartilage while relieving the symptoms of non-infectious degenerative joint disease. Adequan®i.m. treats joint disease, increases lubrication and stimulates cartilage repair while relieving pain, decreasing inflammation, restoring synovial fluid and blocking destructive enzymes.

Learn more about Adequan®

Legend®

Legend® (hyaluronate sodium) is an FDA approved I.V. and intra-articular therapy to treat equine non-infectious synovitis associated with osteoarthritis. It is a pure hyaluronate sodium, the same glycosaminoglycan present in normal joint fluid. It is produced by a patented biofermentation process, resulting in such purity that it can be given intravenously for immediate bioavailability. Hyaluronate sodium is proven to decrease inflammation and destructive enzymes associated with inflammation.

Learn more about Legend®

NexHA™

NexHA™ (hyaluronate sodium) Injectable Solution is an FDA-approved alternative to Legend® for treating joint dysfunction in the carpus or fetlock due to non-infectious synovitis linked to equine osteoarthritis. Administered intravenously, treatments can be repeated weekly for up to three doses and used alongside other joint therapies. Hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in synovial fluid, helps restore joint lubrication, reduce inflammation, and protect joint integrity, promoting healthier, pain-free movement in your horse.

Zycosan®

Zycosan® (pentosan polysulfate sodium injection) is the first FDA-approved treatment to control the signs of osteoarthritis (OA) in horses, a leading cause of lameness and discomfort. OA, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), leads to cartilage deterioration, joint inflammation, and reduced mobility. Zycosan® targets these issues by promoting joint lubrication, supporting cartilage repair, and reducing inflammation. Administered as a simple intramuscular injection once a week for four weeks, Zycosan® helps restore your horse’s comfort and performance.

Learn more about Zycosan

Orthobiologics

Orthokine® vet irap

Orthokine® vet irap (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) offers the opportunity to effectively treat lameness of your horse utilizing the body’s own healing mechanisms. It is an excellent non-cortisone therapy for joints and soft tissues and can be used for arthritis, traumatic soft tissue damage, and for post-surgical reduction of inflammation and adhesions. The irap therapy is based on the production of regenerative and anti-inflammatory proteins by the horse’s own blood cells. After processing, the resulting “Autologous Conditioned Serum” (ACS) is injected into the affected joint or inflamed tendon sheath. Three injections over a course of six weeks is recommended to achieve full effect.

Learn more about Orthokine® vet irap

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) & ProVet® APC

PRP is used to help heal wounds, bones, and ligaments/tendons. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a part of the horse's blood that is processed to concentrate platelets for injection into the affected area. PRP primarily consists of platelets, which are small non-nucleated cells that are rich in growth factors and chemokines that help attract white blood cells to infections.

Learn more about PRP

Pro-Stride® APS

Joint pain can be caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines damaging cartilage. A natural alternative to traditional treatments, Pro-Stride® APS creates a concentrated solution from the horse’s own blood that contains cells, platelets, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory proteins that, when injected into the joint, helps relieve pain and restore joint balance. Pro-Stride® APS is effective for osteoarthritis, synovitis, and tendon injuries.

Learn more about Pro-Stride® APS

RenoVō®: Equine Amniotic Allograft

RenoVō® is a regenerative therapy using amniotic tissue from healthy mares for equine injuries. It contains growth factors, cytokines, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and extracellular matrix proteins essential for healing. This cryopreserved liquid allograft promotes healing and reduces scar tissue without living cells that cause inflammation. It effectively treats soft tissue injuries, joint disease, non-healing wounds, and corneal ulcers. Collected safely by veterinarians during mare births, RenoVō® is minimally invasive and can provide results comparable or superior to other treatments.

Learn more about RenoVō®

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a simple procedure that uses intradermal injections to help relieve neck and back pain in horses. It involves putting a mixture of diluted medications into the skin's middle layer via 200–300 fine needle injections in three rows alongside the horse's spine. These injections help block pain signals from nerves in the skin and can promote muscle relaxation and healing.

The number of sessions needed varies by condition, generally range from one to three. Milder issues may only need one treatment, while more serious pain might require sessions every 2–4 weeks.

Shockwave

Shockwave therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to help horses recover from injuries and reduce pain. It employs high-energy sound waves to boost blood flow and activate the body's healing process. These waves target the injured area, promoting new blood vessel growth and tissue repair. ESWT can address various issues like tendon injuries, arthritis, back pain, muscle tears, and ligament injuries.

Before the procedure, the horse may be sedated, and the treatment area is shaved and cleaned. A gel is applied, and the shockwave device sends sound waves into the skin. Each session lasts 15–20 minutes and is done 2–3 times every 2–4 weeks.

Laser Therapy

Class IV Laser therapy is a non-invasive, effective treatment that promotes healing in horses with injuries, chronic conditions, or aging effects. Laser therapy enables faster tissue repair, quicker wound healing, and significant pain relief, while reducing inflammation and enhancing blood flow for better oxygen delivery. It also improves lymphatic drainage, nerve function, and muscle relaxation.

With benefits like scar tissue reduction and immune support, Class IV Laser therapy provides a holistic approach to equine health, offering acupuncture-like stimulation and targeting specific issues.