Chief Stipe

There are some doubts about the efficacy of the treatment although it appears in general clinical trials to have shown it does reduce inflammation. As with any profession there are some vets who continue the old ways of treatment and perhaps more progressive types that give more modern treatments a go. Curious in fairness to other posters yes you could say there has been some opinions expressed that are well off the mark however the discussion itself has been interesting and no doubt educational for some. As I said in a previous post personally until this topic was raised I had not heard of the treatment as I'm sure many owners and trainers haven't. Now that I have heard of it I would give it a go on a horse that had soundness issues. In fact I wish it had been around when one of the old mans horses was in training. It had a chronic knee injury that may have responded to this sort of treatment - we tried everything even green lipped mussel powder in large quantities in his feed - the horse's not the old man's. Was a very good horse all the same. I think one reason the onlooker gets a bit perturbed by ACS is that there has been a fair amount of advertising/marketing spin associated with it that creates the impression that it is a performance "cure-all". Visions of blood letting, spinning blood and multiple injections into horses stimulates the imagination. The blood spinning on a large practical scale was developed during World War 2 to assist in the treatment of burns victims. The spinning or fractionation by centrifuge separates the plasma from the red blood cells. It is the plasma that contains a lot of healing proteins. It is very old technology however newer techniques fractionate the blood contents even further so it is possible to isolate specific proteins for specific purposes. If you process the blood from an individual and use the extracts from that same blood to treat the donor then there is very little chance of an adverse reaction. Now the debate on BOAY has been interesting and is what I would call "dialectic learning" - i.e. learning through investigating or debating different opinions.

Rule Number(s): 638 (3) (b) (ii)Following the running of Race 7, the RD Petroleum Ashburton Winter Cup Trial Cup, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr D Wadley, against Licensed Apprentice Jockey (Class B), Mr B Murray, alleging that, as the rider of FLYING SARDINE in the race, “used his whip in an excessive manner prior ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 3, the Barneswood Farm Rating 65, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr D Wadley, against Class A Rider, Mr J Laking, alleging careless riding in that he permitted his mount OLAF to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear crowding BARLAY CREEK onto FUGAWI ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 628(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 1 (Palamountains Nutrition Maiden HWT) Mr Balcombe lodged an information with the Judicial Committee alleging that Will Gordon used his whip excessively on DONARDO prior to the 100 metres. A Rider shall not: (ii) strike a horse with a whip in a manner or to an extent which is excessive ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 632Following the running of Race 5 (Wanganui Steelformers 1200) an information was lodged with the Judicial Committee requesting a ruling in relation to Rule 632 into the start. Rule 632(1) reads: If, in the opinion of the Judicial Committee, a horse which does not finish in the first three placings was ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 3 (Spooners Dry Cleaners Maiden 3YO) Mr Balcombe lodged an information with the Judicial Committee alleging that C O’Beirne used her whip excessively on her mount FRANCESCA KATE prior to the 100m. A Rider shall not: (ii) strike a horse with a whip in a manner or to an extent which is excessive ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Tarissa Mitchell has enjoyed past success at Riccarton with her boutique team and she is making plan… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Successful Cambridge horseman Roger James is continuing to give the new generation opportunities to … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Brendon Hill knows he’s still in ‘bonus time’ with promising pacer Cullenburn, but he also knows it’… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Triple Group One winner Santa Ana Lane is the latest horse to snare a place in The Everest at Randwi… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Record numbers of yearlings have been entered for Australia's premier two-year-old races, the Golden… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

I've got Wandering Eyes writing along those lines at the moment. However personally I think their should be some recommendations made on its use. From what I've read its value is in rehabilitation that is recovery from injury. Doing anything else maybe wasting owners money.

One thing to consider about ACS is it supposed to be a localised injection into the lesion of the inflamed joint or tendon. The recommended dose is relatively small so it's ability to increase performance is very doubtful. However if it does as advertised then the inflammation of the damaged joint will be reduced and the horse will probably experience less pain. Therefore it will perform better.

Are you saying it is used in NZ? It was part of the cocktail that Lance Armstrong used however the clinical evidence that it does anything is spurious.

View the full article

Outstanding mare Bonneval is making good progress during the early stages of a new preparation that … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

The strength of New Zealand’s two leading stables is illustrated by the first batch of finalists for… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

The story of Kiwi’s dramatic victory in the 1983 Melbourne Cup will be screened on TVNZ 1 on Sunday … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Changes to allowances for jumps races and highweights will come into force from Monday, July 9. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Captain Dolmio hasn't been seen at the races for more than a year. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Reading many articles online about ACS (yes thanks Google) I can't find any that suggest regular treatment during racing. It is primarily recommended for rehabilitation of horses with chronic injuries that have not responded to other anti-inflammatory treatments. Is it a preventative treatment? Some interesting ethical questions arise from that approach.

Equine Intra-Articular Osteoarthritis Treatment Options Pharmacological osteoarthritis therapy focuses on preventing or reducing pain and improving joint function. By World Equine Veterinary Association | Oct 7, 2017 | Anatomy & Physiology, Arthritis & Degenerative Joint Disease, Article, Horse Care, Injuries & Lameness, Muscle and Joint Problems, Musculoskeletal System, Older Horse Care Concerns, Sports Medicine, Vet and Professional, Vet Convention Reports, World Equine Veterinary Association High-dose tiludronate resulted in only transient and mild changes in a few joint and cartilage health parameters. Photo: Alexandra Beckstett By Raquel Baccarin, DVM, PhD, WEVA Regional Ambassador for Brazil and South America Epidemiologic data collected from more than 100,000 horses revealed that articular lesions are the most frequent reason owners seek veterinary care for their animals (Pennell et al., 2005). Among equine joint diseases with the greatest impact and clinical relevance in orthopedics, osteoarthritis (OA) remains the most devastating. The condition is often associated with poor performance, early retirement, and a significant financial burden for owners of affected animals. In humans, OA is classically defined as an age-related joint disease that is one of the main causes of pain and dysfunction in elderly individuals. However, in horses, the condition also affects young animals, indicating that age is not an essential factor for OA development in equids. Equine OA is a painful and debilitating disease that can develop rapidly (when secondary to trauma) or slowly (months to years), depending on the etiology (cause). It is common in all types of horses; however, it tends to affect joints with a larger and smaller range of movement in sport horses and leisure horses, respectively. In recent years, researchers have described equine OA not as a single disease, but as the final stage of destruction of the articular cartilage, with early stages being triggered and perpetuated by many random factors. However, the exact sequence of events leading to OA development remains unclear, and the temporal relationship between subchondral bone (located just under the cartilage surface within a joint) damage, chronic synovial membrane (the joint capsule’s inner lining, which secretes lubricating synovial fluid) inflammation, and cartilage damage remains unknown. Pharmacological OA therapy focuses on preventing or reducing pain and improving joint function. Veterinarians have administered intra-articular (in the joint) injections of the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide (TA), with or without hyaluronic acid (HA), for decades. Triamcinolone provides better pain relief and functionality in the short- and medium-term, but corticosteroid alternatives are needed for horses with chronic OA. Many studies have shown that administering at least three intra-articular HA injections results in significant improvement in joint pain and function that begins immediately after treatment and lasts for a medium- or long-term period. However, there is no evidence confirming HA injections improve structural damage to articular cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine are therapeutic alternatives for OA treatment. Researchers have found evidence suggesting that CS and glucosamine could preserve or even repair damaged articular cartilage. Dietary supplements containing CS are available, as well as intra-articular formulations for managing OA clinical signs in horses. When testing CS in horses, researchers’ initial hypothesis was that it would provide the cartilage with the necessary building blocks to synthesize the extracellular matrix proteoglycans; however, study results were inconsistent and conflicting. Chondroitin sulfate penetration into chondrocytes (cells that make up articular cartilage) was very limited, indicating that CS’s primary effect on chondrocytes is mediated by cell-surface receptors through which it exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Another therapeutic alternative for OA is polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG), which studies showed alleviates lameness and joint effusion in osteoarthritic horse joints. Additional studies are needed to elucidate PAAG’s mechanism of action in improving OA clinical signs. Blood-derived products such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autologous conditioned serum (ACS), autologous processed plasma, and autologous blood can also be administered via intra-articular injection. Most equine clinical studies have shown that PRP has positive effects when used to treat joint injuries; however, these studies have a high risk of bias and PRP products vary greatly in composition, making it difficult to compare their efficacies. Frequently, veterinarians recommend two or three PRP treatments with intervals varying from two to three weeks. Following PRP treatment veterinarians have reported lameness improvement and reduced joint effusion (swelling). Researchers are also working to develop a more effective PRP product by combining it with other molecules such as chitosan and gelatin, and HA used in combination with PRP has shown promise as a future treatment. Veterinarians commonly use ACS in athletic horses when corticosteroid use no longer shows beneficial effects, mainly in chronic OA cases. Lameness generally improves after the second administration, with resolution occurring after the third or fourth. The effects of ACS treatment typically last three months to a year in joints that are not responsive to other intra-articular therapies. A considerable amount of data suggests that ACS use has beneficial effects, but the findings of experimental and clinical trials are inconsistent. Several studies have shown that intra-articular mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection helps reduce synovial inflammation and results in better cartilage repair from a structural point of view, when compared to other currently available therapies and surgical techniques. In horses, MSC sources include bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, umbilical cord blood, amniotic membrane, and peripheral blood. Moreover, researchers have recently shown synovial fluid and membrane to be viable sources of MSCs. The quantity of cells obtained, the capacity for and efficiency of differentiation, the ease of collection, and low risk of complications during collection are important issues to consider when selecting an MSC source. Currently, MSCs derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue are most commonly used in therapeutic approaches. Veterinarians can use a variety of intra-articular therapies to minimize joint damage, but it is important to identify the most effective treatments for specific equine OA cases. Furthermore, most of the therapies used to treat OA treatment have short-term effects on pain and function, and few have been tested for or exhibit long-term benefits. Veterinarians should constantly strive to gain more experience in using such therapies, alone or in combination, to provide optimal treatment to horses recovering from joint injuries.

Medications Impact Autologous Treatment Options in Horses January 10, 2018 By Kentucky Equine Research Staff Veterinarians use regenerative therapies to manage certain musculoskeletal conditions in horses. These therapies, which include stem cells, autologous cultured serum (ACS), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), employ the injured horse’s own cells to treat the condition. Collected samples can be stored for future use. What if your horse was either on medication or had an underlying condition at the time of sample collection? How does that affect future use of the sample? Consider the following scenario: Your horse has osteoarthritis (OA), a common yet painful and progressive degeneration of the lining of articular cartilage found at the end of long bones. Your veterinarian recommends a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as phenylbutazone (bute) or even an injectable product such as firocoxib. That same vet also recommends ACS. This involves collecting a sample of the horse’s blood and incubating it with specially designed beads to stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory molecules such as interleukin-1 receptor agonist proteins (IRAP). Those IRAP-rich samples can then be directly injected back into your horse’s affected joints, and some can also be saved for future use. Down the road, your horse is a little sore before competition and you know an NSAID cannot be administered, but ACS can. So your vet dives into her freezer to unearth the ACS. What if the sample contains a trace of the NSAID that your horse was on when the sample was collected? Will it result in a positive drug test? “Various governing bodies, such as the United States Equestrian Foundation (USEF), the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), have strict rules and penalties regarding allowable levels and withdrawal times; therefore, this is a valid and important question,” emphasized Laura Petroski, B.V.M.S., veterinarian for Kentucky Equine Research (KER). While both NSAIDs and ACS remain important tools in the management of OA, along with nutritional supplements, using ACS “spiked” with an NSAID could result in serious repercussions. One research group* conducted a study and experimentally created the above-described scenario. They treated horses with firocoxib, prepared ACS following treatment with that NSAID, and later injected the ACS into the horses’ joints. Blood samples were subsequently collected and analyzed like any blood sample would be for equine competitions. “The researchers found the amount of firocoxib in the ACS sample did not appear to be large enough to result in detectable systemic concentrations of the medication,” shared Petroski. Nonetheless, the researchers noted, “Although we have determined that intra-articular administration of ACS derived from horses following two oral doses of firocoxib at a 24-h interval does not affect plasma concentrations of firocoxib, we cannot extrapolate this evidence to horses with maximal plasma concentrations of firocoxib that occur with longer term use (≥10 days) or to other medications. Further evaluation of different medications is required and should be pursued. The information gained from this study is vital for protecting the horse and the associated equestrian team from therapeutic drug administration resulting in an inadvertent positive test.” While considering various options for joint health and managing OA, don’t forget that experts also recommend supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, omega-3 fatty acids. “Always choose quality joint supplements, such as KER•Flex, Synovate HA, and EO•3 to support joint health,” Petroski advised. In Australia, look for Glucos-A-Flex as well. *Ortved, K.F., M.B. Goodale, C. Ober, et al. 2017. Plasma firocoxib concentrations after intra-articular injection of autologous conditioned serum prepared from firocoxib positive horses. Veterinary Journal. 230:20-23.

Regenerative Therapy Review: ACS for Horse Joints February 1, 2018 By Kentucky Equine ResearchEven if an owner coddled a foal from birth, allowing him to work and play on only the best footing, chances are he will still develop osteoarthritis (OA) at some point in his life. This explains why OA, a progressive, painful degeneration of joints that often limits a horse’s ability to perform Osteoarthritis usually develops whenever abnormal stresses or abnormal joint anatomy occurs. Foals are sometimes born with abnormally shaped bones or joints, such as incomplete ossification or hardening of the small cuboidal bones in the knee or hock; Foals can develop angular limb deformities or other developmental orthopedic diseases such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD); Horses may experience trauma to a joint not only during training or competing but also meandering in a pasture or cavorting with peers; and Normal wear and tear on the musculoskeletal system from a lifetime of exercise in an ageing horse. “Although no cure has been identified, multiple research-based strategies exist to help minimize or delay the development and severity of OA,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a Kentucky Equine Research nutritionist. “Appropriate nutrition, including the use of oral joint health supplements prior to any trauma or wear and tear can help protect joints throughout a horse’s life.” KER offers several joint supplements that could fit the bill, including: EO•3 contains marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids that possess inherent anti-inflammatory properties; Synovate HA features hyaluronic acid to help lubricate horse’s joints; and KER•Flex includes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (Glucos-A-Flex in Australia). Medical options include administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and regenerative therapies, including stem cells and autologous conditioned serum (ACS), also known as IRAP or interleukin-1 receptor agonist protein therapy. In a nutshell, ACS uses a small volume of blood collected from the patient to treat its own joint disease (the word autologous means self-derived). After letting the blood clot, the resulting serum, or liquid portion of blood, is mixed with special beads included in a commercial ACS kit. This incubation process stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory molecules, most importantly IRAP. This “conditioned” serum is then injected into the target joint of the horse to inhibit inflammation. Studies support this technique, showing that horses with experimentally induced OA treated with IRAP had a significant improvement in lameness as well as microscopic evidence of healing joint tissues. “Maintaining an appropriate body condition score throughout a horse’s life and keeping horses active also play important roles in supporting joint health,” Crandell reminded.

Another channel suggesting we are slandering.