An Evaluation of Current Preventative Measures Used in Equine Practice to Maintain Distal Forelimb Functionality: A Mini Review.
Authors: Clarke Emily J, Gillen Alex, Turlo Agnieszka, Peffers Mandy J
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Despite the widespread use of preventative strategies for distal forelimb health in performance horses—including therapeutic farriery, nutraceutical supplementation, and various therapeutic interventions—Clarke and colleagues' 2021 review reveals a concerning gap between clinical popularity and robust scientific evidence. The authors systematically examined the existing literature evaluating prophylactic approaches to musculoskeletal disease and injury prevention, finding that whilst many modalities are routinely deployed in equine practice, few have demonstrated clear capacity to reduce inflammation or promote genuine tissue regeneration through rigorous clinical trials. The standout conclusion emerging from this comprehensive evaluation is that the evidence base remains fragmented and largely dependent on short-term studies, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about long-term protective effects—particularly for the single and combined use of multiple interventions. The profession would benefit substantially from longitudinal research designs and a concerted shift towards evidence-based protocol selection, rather than relying on established convention or anecdotal success. For practitioners, this underscores the importance of critically evaluating claims made for preventative products and techniques, and acknowledging that current "best practice" for maintaining forelimb soundness may require substantial revision as evidence accumulates.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Be critical of preventative claims for shoeing, supplements and other modalities — current research shows variable efficacy, so tailor interventions to individual horses rather than using standardised protocols
- •Track outcomes of your preventative approaches systematically; the gap between routine use and proven benefit suggests many current practices may need reassessment
- •Advocate for evidence-based preventative strategies within your discipline — continued use of unproven measures delays development of genuinely effective protocols
Key Findings
- •Current preventative measures for distal forelimb health (therapeutic shoeing, nutraceuticals) lack robust evidence despite routine use in equine practice
- •Few interventions have demonstrated capacity to reduce inflammation or promote regenerative pathways in joint and forelimb tissues
- •Evidence base for prophylactic measures is variable with inconsistent clinical outcomes reported
- •Longitudinal studies and evidence-based medicine approaches are needed to establish efficacy of single and multi-modal preventative strategies