Prevention is better than cure say racehorse owners

Prevention is better than cure: and no more so when it comes to injuries to racehorses, which can easily end a champion's career. Despite apparent advances in stem cell techniques to repair damaged tendons in horses, trainers and owners say they would like more help preventing costly injuries in the first place and this is where researchers should focus their attention. The view emerged from a meeting organised by researchers at the University of Glasgow to discuss research into superficial digital flexor tendon injuries. These affect up to 30% of Thoroughbred racehorses and are both exerciseand age-related. This is also known as "bowed" tendon. Tendon injuries are slow-healing and can easily recur, effectively ending the racing career of many horses. While much research in this field is now focusing on stem cell therapy, prevention or early-detection of tendon injuries to horses is probably much preferred by racehorse owners themselves.