Sports Medicine & Performance Care
Sunrise Equine offers comprehensive sports medicine services designed to keep equine athletes comfortable, sound, and performing at their best. Whether your horse is competing, in training, or returning to work after an injury, our veterinarians use a thorough, evidence-based approach to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions.
Soundness & Lameness Examinations
A complete soundness or lameness exam is the foundation of effective sports medicine care.
These evaluations may include:
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Detailed physical and gait assessment
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Flexion tests and under-saddle evaluation when appropriate
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Nerve and joint blocks to localize the source of pain
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Development of a tailored diagnostic and treatment plan
Diagnostic Imaging
Accurate diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. We utilize advanced imaging tools both in-clinic and in the field, including:
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Digital X-ray: Evaluation of bones and joints, baseline imaging, farrier collaboration, and guidance for targeted injections
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Ultrasound: Assessment of tendons, ligaments, joints, and soft tissue structures, as well as ultrasound-guided therapeutic injections
Treatment Options
Once a diagnosis is established, we offer a comprehensive range of treatment modalities designed to manage pain, support healing, and optimize long-term athletic performance. Our sports medicine approach emphasizes evidence-based therapies tailored to each horse’s discipline, workload, and stage of disease.
Joint Therapies
Joint health is critical to comfort, performance, and longevity in the athletic horse. We provide both traditional and regenerative intra-articular therapies, selecting options that best address inflammation, cartilage health, and long-term joint function.
Corticosteroid Joint Injections
Intra-articular corticosteroid injections remain a valuable tool for managing joint inflammation and pain when used appropriately. These medications can provide effective short-term relief and are often incorporated as part of a broader, carefully managed treatment plan.
Pro-Stride® Autologous Protein Solution
Pro-Stride® is an advanced regenerative therapy derived from the horse’s own blood. This process concentrates anti-inflammatory and anabolic proteins that help modulate inflammation while supporting joint tissue health.
Pro-Stride is an excellent option for managing joint inflammation, particularly in performance horses requiring a therapy with a strong safety profile and minimal risk of adverse effects. Pro-Stride has become a preferred component of our sports medicine protocols due to its regenerative benefits and its suitability for horses requiring ongoing joint support.
Polyacrylamide Gel Joint Therapy
Polyacrylamide gel joint therapy represents a newer generation of intra-articular treatment designed to improve joint comfort and function by integrating into the synovial lining of the joint capsule. Rather than acting primarily as an anti-inflammatory medication, these gels work by supporting the joint’s natural lubrication and biomechanics, with the goal of providing longer-lasting structural support.
This category of therapy can be particularly beneficial for horses with early to moderate osteoarthritis, chronic joint disease, or those where repeated joint injections are a concern. Polyacrylamide gels offer an option beyond traditional corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and biologic therapies, and may be well suited for performance horses where durability of treatment and joint longevity are important considerations.
As joint therapies continue to evolve, we are committed to offering evidence-based options and discussing newer treatments that may help optimize long-term joint health on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Sports Medicine Therapies
Shockwave Therapy
A non-invasive modality used to stimulate tissue healing, reduce pain, and enhance local blood flow in injured or compromised tissues.
Mesotherapy
Targeted injections administered along the neck and back to help manage localized muscle pain and improve overall comfort and performance.
Chiropractic Care
Manual therapies focused on improving joint mobility and spinal alignment to support balanced movement and optimal musculoskeletal function.
Acupuncture
The use of precisely placed needles to assist with pain management, neuromuscular function, and overall musculoskeletal health.
Pain Management Options
Comprehensive pain management strategies may include oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications, as well as targeted therapies such as Osphos®, when appropriate.
Injectable Joint Support Therapies
Injectable joint supplements may be incorporated into treatment plans to support joint health and function, including options such as polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (i.e. Adequan, Zycosan) and hyaluronic acid–based products (i.e. Legend).
Pre-Purchase Examinations
A pre-purchase examination (PPE), is a thorough veterinary assessment carried out before buying a horse. Its purpose is to provide the prospective buyer with an informed, independent evaluation of the horse’s health and soundness at the time of examination, helping them decide whether the horse is suitable for their intended use.
It is important to note that a PPE is not a pass or fail test. Instead, it identifies existing or potential health issues so the buyer can make a well-informed decision.
Included in a PPE is a full physical examination, a soundness evaluation including flexion tests
Depending on the buyer’s requirements, additional diagnostic tests may be recommended, including:
- Radiographs (X-rays)
- Ultrasound examinations
- Blood sampling (for medications or underlying illness)
Important Note Regarding Pre-Purchase Examinations
To ensure transparency, independence, and avoid any potential conflict of interest, we are unable to perform pre-purchase examinations on horses for which we have a prior veterinary case history.
This means that if you are a current client and are selling your horse, we cannot carry out a PPE on that horse, as we have previously provided veterinary care and therefore have an established clinical history.
However, if you are a current client looking to purchase a new horse that we have not previously examined and that is not owned by one of our existing clients, we are happy to perform the pre-purchase examination
If you are unsure whether this applies to your situation, please contact us prior to booking so we can advise accordingly.
Our Approach to Performance Care
When appropriate, regenerative joint therapies are often our treatment of choice for managing joint disease in performance horses. These therapies support the joint environment by modulating inflammation, promoting tissue health, and improving long-term joint function. Compared to traditional intra-articular medications, regenerative options allow us to address joint disease while minimizing repeated pharmaceutical intervention, making them particularly well suited for horses requiring ongoing joint management.
No two horses are the same. Our sports medicine program emphasizes individualized treatment plans that integrate advanced diagnostics with targeted therapies tailored to each horse’s discipline, workload, and performance goals. As part of our sports medicine philosophy, we prioritize treatments that emphasize safety, durability, and joint longevity to help maintain comfort and optimize athletic performance over time.
If your horse is experiencing performance issues, stiffness, or lameness—or if you are interested in proactive joint and performance management—please contact our office to schedule a comprehensive sports medicine evaluation.
Faqs
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Medicine
How can sports medicine help improve my horse’s performance?
Equine sports medicine focuses on identifying and treating musculoskeletal issues that may affect a horse’s comfort, movement, and athletic ability. Through thorough evaluations, advanced diagnostics, and targeted therapies, sports medicine helps maintain soundness, support recovery from injury, and optimize performance for horses in training, competition, or regular work.
When should my horse have a sports medicine evaluation?
A sports medicine evaluation may be recommended if your horse shows signs such as lameness, stiffness, reduced performance, reluctance to work, or uneven movement. Early evaluation can help identify the cause of discomfort and prevent minor issues from becoming more serious injuries.
What happens during a lameness or soundness examination?
During a soundness exam, the veterinarian evaluates your horse’s movement and musculoskeletal health through a detailed physical exam, gait assessment, and flexion tests. Diagnostic tools such as nerve blocks or imaging may be used to pinpoint the source of pain and guide treatment.
What diagnostic tools are used in equine sports medicine?
Common diagnostic tools include digital X-rays and ultrasound imaging to evaluate bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. These technologies help veterinarians accurately diagnose injuries and develop targeted treatment plans.
What treatments are available for performance horses?
Treatment options vary depending on the diagnosis and may include joint injections, regenerative therapies, shockwave therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or other pain management strategies. Each treatment plan is tailored to the horse’s discipline, workload, and long-term performance goals.