Demystifying Joint Injections: When they should (and shouldn't) be used
Although the horse is an animal abundently gifted with speed, strength and agility, it was never designed to fly around barrels, slide 40 feet, or cut cattle at lightning speed. Selective breeding has certainly improved our horses’ ability to perform such feats, but it has not made them better able to withstand the physical stresses that training and competition demand. The inevitable wear and tear is particularly tough on joints, leading many of us to turn to joint injections in an attempt to regain or maintain our horse’s competitive edge. Some are even using joint injections on horses that are perfectly healthy, believing that doing so can help prevent joint problems from developing. Yet despite the fact that the use of joint injections has become almost routine in some circles, many horse owners are confused or uncertain about what joint injections can actually do, and when they are truly appropriate. If this sounds like you, here are some facts to help you separate the truth fr...