US Equestrian Releases White Paper on Best Practices in Sport Horse Medicine

Following a summit of veterinary professionals led by US Equestrian earlier this year, the Federation has published a white paper outlining key recommendations and best practices for sport horse medicine.

In March, 28 veterinarians convened at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, to discuss crucial topics including:

• Examinations and preventive health measures

• Injury prevention and management

• Assessing fitness to compete

• Use of wearable technology and biometrics

• Science-based versus anecdotal treatments (such as joint injections, nutrition, homeopathy, shockwave therapy)

• Treatment methods

• Research priorities

The resulting white paper captures the extensive dialogue and consensus from the summit. Dr. Tracy Turner, president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and co-author of the paper, emphasized the document’s role as a resource to promote equine health, evidence-based policies, and best practices across the sport horse community. “Every horse, regardless of discipline, deserves this level of care,” she said.

The paper stresses the shared responsibility among veterinarians, trainers, and owners to prioritize horse welfare above competitive pressures. It defines “fitness to compete” as a horse’s overall health, readiness, and freedom from doping, recommending regular wellness reviews using advanced diagnostics and biometric monitoring.

Highlighting the risks of overtraining, the paper underscores the vital importance of muscle recovery, with rest being the most effective recovery tool. While some therapeutic treatments like orthobiologics and shockwave therapy can be beneficial when used properly, the paper warns that homeopathic products and dietary supplements lack FDA regulation and robust scientific support.

Looking ahead, the authors encourage further research into:

• Competition frequency in relation to horse demographics, injury, and longevity

• Nutrition strategies to reduce post-competition recovery needs

• Biomarkers to better assess recovery treatments

• The use of wearable technology to monitor fitness and the effects of environmental factors like pollution, heat, and travel

• Identification of shockwave therapy biomarkers

The white paper serves as a guide for enhancing the health, welfare, and performance of sport horses, emphasizing science-based care and the collective duty to protect these equine athletes.