KY Performance Products: Muscle Problems in OTTBs

Because of the unique lifestyle of the racing Thoroughbred, he may be prone to muscular issues in his second or third career. Kentucky Performance Products explains how to set your OTTB up for success.

Thoroughbreds in training produce large amounts of free radicals that can damage cell membranes in the muscle. To defend against free radicals, horses use antioxidants like natural vitamin E and selenium to hunt the free radicals and render them harmless. Thoroughbreds on the track are without the benefit of grazing on fresh green grass for long periods of time. Fresh grass is the best source of natural vitamin E. In dried forages, like hay, vitamin E levels drop 70% within the first week of being cut.

When a Thoroughbred’s diet is deficient in antioxidants, inflammation and damage to muscle and nerve cells can occur. Supplementing your off-the-track Thoroughbred with natural vitamin E will help them recover from any muscle damage that may have occurred while on the track. If grazing for long periods on fresh green grass is not an option for your horse, either due to lack of pasture or competition schedule, continued supplementation with natural vitamin E will be needed to protect muscles and nerves from damage.

Thoroughbreds can also suffer from a muscle disorder recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER). The causes of RER are not completely clear but what is understood thus far is that exercise and/or excitement triggers the problem and the end result is the horse’s gluteal muscles “tie-up” and movement becomes painful and labored. Vitamin E can assist in repairing damaged muscle tissue resulting from episodes of tying-up. Sources of natural vitamin E are significantly more bioavailable than synthetic vitamin E and so should be the supplement of choice for working horses and those experiencing muscle disorders. Click here for more information on how to manage muscle problems in Thoroughbreds.

Next week we look at hoof problems the off-the-track Thoroughbred may have.

Read part 1: Transitioning the OTTB to a new career

Read part 2: Ulcers and digestive tract imbalances in the OTTB

Read part 3: Meeting the energy requirements of the OTTB

Article written by KPP staff.

Copyright (C) 2016 Kentucky Performance Products, LLC.   All rights reserved.

When health issues arise, always seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian who can help you choose the correct course of action for your horse. Supplements are intended to maintain healthy systems and support recovery and healing. They are not intended to treat or cure illness or injury.

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC: Since 1998, Kentucky Performance Products has simplified a horse owner’s search for research-proven nutritional horse supplements that meet the challenges facing modern horses. KPP horse supplements target specific nutritional needs and are formulated to complement today’s feeds, thus safeguarding against over-supplementation. Each product is scientifically formulated and made with high-quality ingredients at certified manufacturing facilities. Kentucky Performance Products is proud to offer a quality assurance promise backed by a money-back guarantee. Kentucky Performance Products brings you horse supplements you can count on because the horse that matters to you, matters to us.