Horses can experience a variety of orthopedic conditions that affect their comfort, mobility, and ability to perform. From tendon and ligament injuries to osteoarthritis and certain bone conditions, these problems can present challenges for horses, owners, and veterinarians. VetStem Cell Therapy uses regenerative cells processed from a horse’s own fat tissue and has been used by veterinarians to treat a range of orthopedic conditions. According to VetStem survey data, 77% of horses treated for tendon injuries, 76% treated for suspensory ligament injuries, and 57% treated for joint disease returned to their previous level of work. Here are several examples of equine conditions treated with VetStem Cell Therapy and the outcomes reported in individual cases.

Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Tendon and ligament injuries can be particularly challenging in performance horses because healing may take months, and scar tissue can affect the quality of healing. VetStem Cell Therapy may be used as part of a comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation plan for these injuries. In one case study involving a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood show jumper, a horse with an acute superficial digital flexor tendon injury showed improved ultrasound findings one month after treatment, returned to work under saddle by month four, and resumed a full work schedule by month six. In another case study involving a six-year-old cutting horse with a suspensory ligament injury, the prognosis for return to function was considered guarded with an estimated time of 12 to 15 months. Following stem cell treatment, he returned to his previous level of competition in approximately six months.

Joint Disease and Arthritis

Joint conditions, including osteoarthritis, can cause pain, lameness, and reduced range of motion, affecting a horse’s comfort and performance. Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), a developmental condition that can affect joint cartilage and the underlying bone, may also require intervention. Veterinarians may consider VetStem Cell Therapy as part of an individualized treatment plan for certain joint conditions. In a case study of a 15-year-old Thoroughbred broodmare with osteoarthritis in both front fetlock joints, the mare showed improved comfort within 30 days of treatment and was sound at the walk by the 3.5-month evaluation. In another case study involving a two-year-old Quarter Horse colt with stifle OCD, regenerative cell therapy was performed alongside arthroscopic treatment. At follow-up, the colt was sound in both hind limbs, and subsequent evaluation documented cartilage repair. These cases illustrate how regenerative cell therapy may be incorporated into treatment plans for different types of joint disease.

Other Conditions: Bone Cysts and Laminitis

Veterinarians have also used VetStem Cell Therapy in selected cases involving subchondral bone cysts, which are defects in the bone beneath a joint’s cartilage that can contribute to lameness. In a case study of a two-year-old Arabian gelding with a subchondral bone cyst, follow-up radiographs showed substantial improvement in the defect (image below), and the horse returned to competitive activity within 45 days of treatment. VetStem has also shared the story of Bunny, a Quarter Horse with severe laminitis. After receiving two treatments with her own stem cells, Bunny’s owner reported significant improvement and a return to the reining and ranch riding show pen.

It is important to note that each horse and each injury varies, and these individual success stories should not be interpreted as a guarantee of results or as evidence that VetStem Cell Therapy is appropriate for every horse with these conditions. As with any orthopedic problem, diagnosis, treatment selection, and rehabilitation should be guided by the attending veterinarian. If you think your horse may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

During National Farriers Week, we recognize the skilled professionals who play a vital role in equine health and performance. Farriers do much more than trim and shoe hooves. They are essential members of a horse’s healthcare team. Through regular hoof care, early detection of abnormalities, and collaboration with veterinarians, farriers help maintain proper balance, movement, and overall soundness in horses of all ages and disciplines.

At VetStem, we understand that optimal equine health often requires a multimodal approach. Just as farriers help support horses from the ground up, VetStem Cell Therapy can play an important role in addressing orthopedic conditions that affect mobility and performance. VetStem Cell Therapy has been used to treat horses with osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and ligament injuries, helping many return to comfort and activity. In fact, according to VetStem survey data, 66% of horses treated for osteoarthritis returned to their previous level of performance, while 77% of horses with tendon injuries and 76% with ligament injuries did the same.

National Farriers Week is an opportunity to celebrate the partnership between farriers, veterinarians, trainers, and horse owners. By working together, these professionals help horses stay healthy, comfortable, and performing at their best. We thank farriers for their dedication, expertise, and commitment to equine welfare, and we are proud to support the collaborative care that helps horses thrive.

Suspensory ligament injuries can be a serious setback for performance horses, often leading to prolonged discomfort and time away from work. For An Intimidating Zippo, a Quarter Horse gelding, that was exactly the challenge he faced after being diagnosed with a severe tear in his left hind suspensory ligament, spanning Zones 1 through 3. Injuries of this magnitude can significantly impact mobility and long-term soundness, making effective treatment essential for both recovery and quality of life.

To help support healing, his veterinarian recommended VetStem Cell Therapy. Following treatment and a structured rehabilitation program, An Intimidating Zippo’s owner reported an excellent outcome, noting that the ligament healed completely. His case highlights the potential of stem cell therapy to aid in the repair of soft tissue injuries that are traditionally difficult to manage. Even when he was later diagnosed with mild Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) in both hind limbs, his veterinary team had a proactive plan in place to utilize his banked stem cells to support ongoing ligament health and comfort through annual treatments.

Stem cells are powerful regenerative cells known for their ability to reduce inflammation, decrease pain, minimize scar tissue formation, and promote the repair of damaged tissues such as ligaments and tendons. These properties make VetStem Cell Therapy a valuable option for equine orthopedic conditions. As a pioneer in veterinary regenerative medicine, VetStem has treated thousands of horses since 2004, with survey data showing that many are able to return to their previous level of work following treatment. Cases like An Intimidating Zippo demonstrate how regenerative therapies can play an important role in helping horses recover, maintain performance, and enjoy a better quality of life.

If you think your horse may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us for a list of VetStem providers near you.

An Intimidating Zippo

At just four years old, Junior, a talented cutting horse, suffered injuries to the suspensory ligaments in both of his hind legs. This type of injury can end the career of even the best performance horses. Fortunately, with the help of his veterinarian, Dr. Martin Gardner of Western Performance Equine, and treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, Junior made a remarkable recovery. Not only did he return to work, but he went on to have a long, successful career and remains sound nearly 15 years later.

To treat Junior’s injuries, Dr. Gardner recommended VetStem Cell Therapy, a regenerative medicine treatment that uses the horse’s own stem cells to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and repair damaged tissue. A small sample of fat was collected from Junior’s tailhead and sent to VetStem’s lab in Poway, California, where technicians processed it to extract and concentrate his stem cells. Two doses were then shipped back to Dr. Gardner for injection into the injured ligaments. After a 90-day rehab period, Junior gradually returned to work and went on to compete until age 16.

Junior’s owner shared that he’s now 19 years old, still sound, and happily working as a help horse in stock dog trials, calling VetStem Cell Therapy the “best money ever spent on a horse.” Stories like Junior’s highlight how regenerative medicine can give horses a second chance at a full and active life. Thousands of horses like Junior have been treated for tendon, ligament, and joint injuries, allowing many to return to competition and maintain long-term soundness.

Bruce, a talented performance horse, faced a serious setback when he was diagnosed with microtears in the deep digital flexor tendons of both front legs. The injury, caused by imbalanced shoeing, also led to damage in the navicular bursae of both front coffin joints, an issue that can significantly impact a horse’s mobility and career. Determined to help Bruce recover, his veterinarian, Dr. Martin Gardner of Western Performance Equine, recommended VetStem Cell Therapy.

A long-time VetStem provider, Dr. Gardner collected a small sample of fat from Bruce’s tailhead and sent it to the VetStem lab, where it was processed to isolate the regenerative cells contained therein. Four injectable doses of Bruce’s own stem cells were shipped to Dr. Gardner and administered into both coffin joints, the right front navicular bursa, and via intra-arterial perfusion in both front limbs. Stem cells have shown to reduce inflammation, improve healing, and regenerate damaged soft tissues, making them a valuable option for injuries like Bruce’s.

With a careful rehab plan and ongoing care, Bruce was able to rebuild his strength and eventually return to the show pen. His owner shared, “It was a slow process of rebuilding his strength and fitness, but we have been back in the show pen since. I am so grateful to have a few extra vials as well, in case I ever need them again.” Bruce’s story is one of many that highlight the potential of VetStem Cell Therapy in helping equine athletes return to performance.

Learn more about VetStem Cell Therapy for horses here: https://vetstem.com/horses.php

Bruce

Each year during National Farriers Week, we recognize and celebrate the vital work of farriers—skilled professionals who are essential to the health, soundness, and performance of horses. Proper hoof care and shoeing are critical not only for maintaining healthy movement but also for preventing a variety of lameness issues and soft tissue injuries.

Farriers work closely with veterinarians and horse owners to ensure that horses receive individualized hoof care based on their conformation, workload, and lifestyle. Corrective shoeing and regular trimming can help balance the hoof, support joints and tendons, and reduce the risk of common injuries such as tendonitis, ligament strains, and joint stress. In performance horses especially, the expertise of a knowledgeable farrier can mean the difference between staying in the arena or needing time off due to injury.

That said, even with the best hoof care, injuries can still occur. That’s where VetStem comes in. VetStem Cell Therapy has been used to treat thousands of horses with tendon, ligament, and joint injuries. By reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration, stem cell therapy may help accelerate healing and improve outcomes—potentially getting horses back to work faster and more comfortably.

So this National Farriers Week, we tip our hats to the farriers who keep our equine partners on their feet. Their dedication to hoof care plays a key role in a horse’s overall health and performance. And when injuries do happen, VetStem Cell Therapy is here to help.

Hey there, fellow horse lovers! Today, we have an amazing VetStem success story to share about a Quarter Horse who defied the odds and bounced back stronger than ever. Meet Spooks Lil Gun Run, lovingly known as Bunny by her devoted owner.

Bunny’s journey wasn’t an easy one. She battled a painful condition called laminitis, which wreaked havoc on her front feet. For those not familiar, laminitis is inflammation of the laminar tissue connection between the hoof and the underlying coffin bone. It is very painful and treatment options are limited.

In severe cases, such as Bunny’s, the inflammation can cause damage to the lamina and result in the hoof wall and coffin bone separating and the coffin bone rotating. This rotation causes severe pain and in some cases is fatal. Damage to the lamina is irreversible, and treatment is aimed at stabilizing the lamina, which can minimize further damage and help reduce pain.

According to Bunny’s veterinarian, Dr. Dylan Costello from Western Performance Equine, Bunny suffered from severe rotation of both coffin bones in her front feet, was grade 4/5 lame at the walk, and critically uncomfortable due to extreme pain. In an effort to reduce Bunny’s inflammation and pain, Dr. Costello recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy.

Bunny received an injection of her own stem cells into each of her front legs. Due to the severity of her condition, she received a second identical treatment one month later. Within just one month post-treatment, Bunny’s owner noticed significant improvement. Her owner stated, “Amazing results! This mare was unusable and extremely painful. She has made a 100% recovery and is back in the reining and ranch riding show pen! The photo of her is at the last show placing the highest we have ever placed at an NRHA show! I have a new appreciation for stem cells and its effects and recommend it to anyone with a horse struggling with Laminitis.”

Talk about a comeback story, right? If you have a horse struggling with laminitis or any other orthopedic woes, VetStem Cell Therapy may help! Speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of providers near you.

Bunny competing at an NRHA show and placing the highest she ever has after treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy

Though we spend a lot of time in this blog focusing on stem cells for dogs, VetStem Cell Therapy has helped a significant number of horses as well. Numerous athletic horses that suffered potentially career-ending injuries were able to get back into competition with the help of stem cells. Similarly, non-competitive horses have also benefited from VetStem Cell Therapy, which allowed them to live better quality lives with less pain.

One example is a Quarter Horse named SR Famousinparadise or Elvis for short. Elvis suffered severe injuries to both front deep digital flexor tendons (DDFT). The DDFT functions to stabilize the joints of the lower leg when the limb is weight bearing and allows flexion of the digit. Unfortunately, injuries to the DDFT are common in athletic horses. These injuries are serious and can significantly affect a horse’s soundness and athletic ability. Injury to the DDFT typically requires a lengthy rehabilitation process regardless of the treatment method.

In Elvis’ case, his veterinarian, Dr. Fabio Aristizabal of Cave Creek Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, recommended treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy. Typically, the fat for stem cell therapy comes from the tailhead of the horse. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that can be done with limited to no scarring. After the fat was processed at the VetStem cell processing laboratory, several doses of Elvis’ own stem cells were prepared and shipped to his veterinarian for injection into his injured tendons and surrounding areas.

VetStem Cell Therapy utilizes the patient’s natural healing cells to treat degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis as well as traumatic injuries such as torn ligaments and injured tendons. Stem cells are regenerative cells that can differentiate into many tissue types. They have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, help to restore range of motion, and stimulate regeneration of tendon, ligament, and joint tissues. Additionally, stem cells can reduce the formation of scar tissue, and lead to cleaner, more complete healing of torn tendons and ligaments.

After his treatment, Elvis began a strict rehab protocol including stall rest, hand walking, and new shoes every six weeks. At about 1/3 of the way through his recovery, Elvis had an ultrasound to evaluate his injuries which showed significant healing. According to his owner, Elvis continued his rehab program and has appeared happy since the treatment.

If you think your horse may benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers near you.

It’s been a while since we’ve done a good overview blog on the various uses of VetStem Cell Therapy in horses. The VetStem Sales and Marketing team is currently heading to San Antonio, TX to exhibit at the annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) conference so we figured no better time than the present!

Some of you may not know this but VetStem’s very first patient was a horse that was treated way back in early 2004 for a tendon injury that would have normally been career-ending. As in dogs, veterinarians most frequently use VetStem Cell Therapy to treat orthopedic conditions in horses. Though their anatomy and injuries are different than our canine friends, the treatment methods are very similar.

VetStem Cell Therapy for Equine Tendon and Ligament Injuries

In performance horses, tendon and ligament injuries are a leading cause of decreased performance. These injuries often require prolonged healing times and can be the source of reinjury. While soft tissue injuries can take many months to heal, VetStem Cell Therapy may speed up the healing process. Stem cells can reduce pain and inflammation and regenerate tendon and ligament tissues, thereby reducing the formation of scar tissue. When paired with a good rehabilitation routine, stem cell therapy may help horses get back to work faster.

VetStem Cell Therapy for Equine Joint Conditions

As with tendon and ligament injuries, VetStem Cell Therapy can be beneficial for joint conditions in horses. Horses have been treated for a wide array of conditions including osteoarthritis (OA), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), subchondral bone cysts, and meniscal tears. In one study utilizing VetStem Cell Therapy for the above conditions, there were several important findings:

1. 80% (8/10) of cyst-only cases returned to their prior level of activity
2. 95.2% (20/21) of OA cases in the study returned to prior level or lower level of work
3. The average time for horses in the study from treatment to return-to-full work at prior level of performance was 6.2 months or 5.8 months for those horses returning to a lower level of work
4. 83.3% (50/60) with joint injuries returned to prior level of performance or at least to a reduced performance level, with only 16.7% (10/60) being non-responsive to treatment.

VetStem Cell Therapy for Alternative Conditions in Horses

There’s plenty of data out there that stem cells can benefit soft tissue injuries and joint disease, but there are a few other conditions that VetStem may help as well. One of these conditions is Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH). EIPH is characterized by the presence of blood in the lungs of performance horses following strenuous exercise. Traditional therapy includes medications that can reduce the amount of hemorrhaging but don’t actually treat or cure the disease. In a clinical research program conducted by VetStem, it was determined that the majority of horses treated with VetStem Cell Therapy experienced significant improvement with little to no bleeding post racing.

Another condition that VetStem may help is uveitis. Uveitis is characterized by inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye and can be a one-time episode or recurrent. Recurrent uveitis can lead to permanent damage and even blindness. Though the cause of recurrent uveitis is unclear, there is evidence to suggest it may be immune-mediated. Stem cells have demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation and to modulate the immune system. Preliminary in-vitro and clinical case series results demonstrate safety and that stem cells may be effective in controlling recurrent uveitis.

Veterinarians have treated horses for numerous conditions that we have not mentioned here, some with favorable results, others not. If you think your horse may benefit from treatment with VetStem Cell Therapy, whether it’s for an orthopedic condition or something else, speak to your veterinarian or contact us to receive a list of VetStem providers in your area.

Though we frequently talk about VetStem Cell Therapy for dogs and cats on this blog, the first patient to receive VetStem Cell Therapy was actually a horse way back in 2004. This horse was treated for a tendon injury that would have normally been career-ending. By 2007, the number of horses treated reached 2,000, with a high return to performance rate.

One of VetStem’s earliest providers, Dr. Martin Gardner, began providing VetStem Cell Therapy to his equine patients back in 2005. Dr. Gardner is a well-known equine lameness practitioner and VetStem Cell Therapy proponent. He is the owner of Western Performance Equine based in Ione, California, where he works with associate veterinarians Dr. Dylan Costello and Dr. Colton Ramstrom.

As one of VetStem’s most dedicated proponents, Dr. Gardner recently reached 500 VetStem cases. This is a major milestone that only one other vet has reached thus far. The majority of his patients are performance horses that receive stem cell therapy for orthopedic injuries. His use of VetStem’s adipose derived stem cells has been primarily in soft tissue injuries (ligament and tendon issues) and, according to Dr. Gardner, has resulted in a higher than average return to full/previous exercise levels for the horses treated.

Numerous horse owners have reported that VetStem Cell Therapy helped get their horse back to work. In fact, based on survey results from horse owners, 76% of horses returned to full work at their prior level after treatment for suspensory ligament injuries, 77% returned to full work after treatment for tendon injuries, and 57% returned to full work after treatment for joint disease.

If you think your horse may benefit from VetStem Cell Therapy, speak to your veterinarian or contact us for a list of VetStem providers near you.