Impacts of DigestaWell NRG Supplementation on Post Exercise Muscle Soreness in Unconditioned Horses, a Pilot Study.
Authors: Suagee-Bedore Jessica K, Shen Yeting, Porr Shea, Girard Ivan D, Bennett-Wimbush Karen, Wagner Ashley L
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: DigestaWell NRG Supplementation and Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness Unconditioned horses frequently develop muscle fatigue and soreness following exercise, compromising performance and potentially extending recovery time; this pilot study investigated whether a 28-day course of DigestaWell NRG (200g daily)—containing Yucca schidigera and Trigonella foenum-graecum—could mitigate these effects in ten horses compared to an unsupplemented control group. Both groups completed a standardised 50-minute moderate-intensity ridden exercise test before and after the supplementation period, with muscle soreness and tightness assessed via palpation 24 hours pre- and post-exercise, whilst blood samples were analysed for glucose, lactate, non-esterified fatty acids, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β at multiple timepoints. After supplementation, treated horses demonstrated significantly lower TNF-α concentrations (P = 0.016), reduced lactate production (P = 0.058), and crucially, experienced a smaller percentage increase in post-exercise muscle soreness (P = 0.031) compared to their baseline response, whereas unsupplemented horses showed minimal changes between periods. For practitioners managing unconditioned or early-training horses, these findings suggest that herbal supplementation targeting inflammatory pathways and lactate metabolism may offer a practical means of reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness during conditioning phases, though the pilot nature of this work warrants larger-scale validation before routine implementation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •DigestaWell NRG may help reduce muscle soreness in unconditioned horses beginning moderate exercise programs, potentially supporting fitness development in young or returning horses
- •The supplement appears to work by reducing inflammatory markers (TNF-α) and lactate production, suggesting a physiological mechanism worth monitoring in your training protocols
- •This is a small pilot study; consider using this supplement as an adjunct to proper conditioning and exercise progression rather than a replacement for gradual fitness building
Key Findings
- •DigestaWell NRG supplementation reduced post-exercise muscle soreness by a smaller percent increase (P = 0.031) in supplemented horses during Period 2
- •Supplemented horses showed lesser tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations during Period 2 compared to Period 1 (P = 0.016)
- •Supplemented horses had lower lactate concentrations during Period 2 than Period 1 (P = 0.058)
- •Unsupplemented control horses showed no significant changes in plasma parameters between periods except glucose (P = 0.018)