Stem Cell Therapy Helps British Team Horse

Disaster struck in August 2009 when PB Arab endurance horse Alpha pulled up lame during training just as he and owner Annie Ings were about to join EGB’s World Class Start Squad and potentially represent Great Britain. What followed was a persistent low-level lameness so, despite a lack of heat or swelling, the leg was scanned. The scans revealed Alpha had suffered an injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in his right fore and it was feared that this could mean the end of his promising career as an endurance horse. © Copyright Eric Jones Photography Alpha’s vet and owners decided stem cell therapy was the treatment that would give him the best chance of a full recovery. Professor Roger Smith at the Royal Veterinary College treated Alpha using VetCell’s StemRegen stem cell therapy in October 2009. The following January a check-up scan revealed that the lesion had completely repaired and showed good fibre patterns. Things progressed very well and after a year of carefully adhering to VetCell’s controlled exercise rehabilitation programme Alpha and Annie returned to competition in April 2010. On 2nd May 2011 Annie was thrilled when she and Alpha successfully completed their first FEI two star at Mont le Soie in Belgium as part of EGB’s British Squad. The success of Alpha’s treatment is not only thanks to the pioneering stem cell therapy developed by Professor Roger Smith but also the dedication and conscientious care and rehabilitation by his owner. Annie says ‘It was quite a journey that took a lot of time and commitment but it has certainly been worth it’.

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