What is included in a pre-purchase examination for a sport horse?

A pre-purchase examination includes a full clinical evaluation, detailed orthopedic and lameness assessment, flexion tests, gait analysis, and diagnostic imaging such as digital radiography and ultrasound when indicated. The goal is to assess performance risk and long-term athletic durability rather than a simple pass or fail result.

Why should I choose an independent veterinarian for a pre-purchase exam?

An independent veterinarian has no relationship with the seller, agent or training stable. This ensures objective evaluation, transparent interpretation of findings and unbiased advice focused solely on protecting the buyer’s investment and long-term performance goals.

Is a basic vet check sufficient when buying a show jumping horse?

A basic pass/fail vet check is often insufficient for show jumping or high-level sport horses. These horses require performance-oriented orthopedic assessment and careful interpretation of subtle findings that may impact future soundness, durability and competition potential.

Can I purchase a sport horse in Europe without attending the examination?

Yes. Many international buyers purchase sport horses remotely. Clear communication, detailed diagnostics, and comprehensive English reports allow informed decisions even when the buyer cannot be physically present during the examination.

How should radiographic findings be interpreted in sport horses?

Radiographic findings must be interpreted in a clinical and performance context. Some changes may be common and acceptable depending on the horse’s discipline, age and intended use, while others may increase long-term orthopedic risk. Interpretation should focus on relevance rather than isolated images.

Who is this veterinary service best suited for?

This service is designed for professional riders, competitive amateurs, trainers, owners and investors purchasing sport or show jumping horses in Europe, particularly international buyers seeking independent, performance-focused veterinary guidance.

Does a pre-purchase exam guarantee future performance?

No veterinary examination can guarantee future performance. A pre-purchase exam provides a risk assessment based on current clinical and diagnostic findings, helping buyers make informed, risk-aware decisions rather than offering guarantees.

In which regions does SportHorses.Vet operate?

SportHorses.Vet operates primarily in Belgium and across Europe, supporting both local and international buyers purchasing sport and show jumping horses.

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Growth Factors

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+32 493 86 44 91

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01/FEB/2024

Advanced Biological Therapies in Sport Horses

Modern Scientific Approach to Joint Health and Athletic Performance

In contemporary veterinary medicine for the sport horse, particularly in show jumping horses, autologous biological and cellular therapies represent a fundamental shift in the management of joint inflammation, cartilage degeneration, and high-performance-related injuries.

Unlike purely symptomatic treatments, these approaches use advanced biological mechanisms — many derived from the horse’s own body — to:

modulate inflammation
protect articular structures
optimize long-term athletic prognosis

What Are Orthobiologic and Cellular Therapies?

Therapies such as IRAP, PRP and Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) belong to the group of:

Autologous Orthobiologic Therapies

These treatments are derived from the horse’s own blood and are designed to intervene in key biological processes involved in:

joint inflammation
cartilage degradation
tissue repair capacity

At a more advanced level, cellular therapies expand the concept of traditional orthobiology toward deeper biological modulation.

IRAP (ACS) – Targeted Modulation of Joint Inflammation

IRAP, also known as Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS), focuses on inhibiting Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a central cytokine in inflammatory and degenerative joint processes.

Clinical Indications

Early or moderate osteoarthritis
Recurrent synovitis
High-load joints in show jumping horses

Clinical Approach

IRAP does not regenerate tissue. Its goal is to reduce the intra-articular inflammatory cascade, promoting a more stable biological environment for performance.

PRP – Biological Stimulation of Tissue Repair

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentrate rich in growth factors involved in tissue repair and remodeling.

Clinical Indications

Tendon injuries
Ligament injuries
Muscle lesions
Selected joint cases

Clinical Approach

PRP is indicated when the objective is to stimulate biological repair, particularly in soft tissues exposed to high mechanical stress.

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) – Active Cartilage Protection

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M) is a protein capable of inhibiting enzymes responsible for cartilage degradation.

Clinical Indications

Early-stage osteoarthritis
Young high-value sport horses
Preventive joint strategies

Clinical Approach

A2M plays a protective and preventive role, especially when the objective is to preserve cartilage integrity before irreversible damage occurs.

APS – Combined Biological Solution

Autologous Protein Solution (APS) combines:

anti-inflammatory proteins
growth factors
cellular components with immunomodulatory effects

Clinical Approach

APS is indicated in joints with active inflammation where broader biological modulation is required.

Exosomes and Cellular Therapies – The Emerging Frontier

Exosome-based and cellular therapies are currently in an emerging phase but generate strong interest in both human and veterinary medicine.

These approaches act through highly specific cellular signaling mechanisms, with potential to modulate inflammation, tissue repair and intercellular communication more precisely than conventional therapies.

Current Clinical Perspective

These options represent the future of regenerative medicine and must be indicated with clinical judgment, experience, and deep understanding of performance demands — particularly in high-level show jumping horses.

Which Therapy Is Most Appropriate?

There is no universal solution. Treatment selection must be based on:

type of lesion
stage of disease
age of the horse
short- and long-term performance goals

Clinical Situation	Recommended Approach
Predominant joint inflammation	IRAP (ACS)
Soft tissue injury	PRP
Cartilage protection	A2M
Complex inflammation	APS
Selected advanced cases	Cellular / Exosomal therapies

Application in Show Jumping and High-Performance Horses

In show jumping horses, where joints are subjected to repeated and high mechanical loads, the objective is not merely symptom control, but protection of long-term athletic longevity.

The correct indication of biological and cellular therapies forms part of an advanced veterinary strategy based on precise diagnosis, performance experience, and transparent communication with owners and buyers.

Individualized Clinical Strategy

The indication of biological therapies requires accurate diagnosis, high-performance clinical experience, and long-term performance vision.

At Sporthorses.vet, these therapies are integrated into a global veterinary strategy focused on athletic longevity and performance preservation