Corticosteroid joint injections have long been used to treat joint pain and inflammation in horses. Recently, there have been questions regarding their ethical usage, predominantly in the racing industry. While many professionals use the drugs in moderation and as a last resort, some still use them to keep potentially unsound horses racing. Several states have tightened regulations about how soon before a race these drugs can be injected into a joint.
Source: The Guardian
As they are with humans, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids are widely used on horses to treat swelling and pain associated with joint disease and arthritis. They’re typically used in combination with a synthetic hyaluronic acid, which replicates the synovial fluid already in the joint capsule.
INSIGHTS: The use of corticosteroids, especially in conjunction with a synthetic hyaluronic acid product, has shown to be very effective in treating normal inflammation and pain associated with a rigorous performance career. As stated in the article, if the horse is still sore after an injection or two over the course of a short period of time, there is likely something deeper going on than just a simple inflammatory response to exercise. As with most things that work, moderate corticosteroid use is beneficial to the equine performance athlete. However, because a little is good, doesn’t mean a lot is better.