Honors in Equine Science ProjectA Joint Supplement Study with Casanova

By: Conor Diebel

Background

• Casanova is about 13 years old

• Texas roping horse

• Came to Culver in the Fall of 2013

Project Description and Hypothesis

• Casanova being a former roping horse has some soreness and possibly some injuries on or around his legs, hips and feet. He is very short-strided and stiff due to a possible injury to his left hip. This is indicated by the occasional difficulty with picking up the right-hand lead.

• The joint supplement is intended to lubricate all of his joints and to ease possible pain or stiffness instead of a targeted area of his legs like a an injection.

• If the supplement is administered in the right amounts over a long period of time then Casanova should feel better and more willing to work more comfortably.

HylEquine Hyaluronic Acid Joint Supplement Analysis

• HylEquine Joint Solution is made up of Hyaluronic Acid. Administered in

200mg doses, it is one of the most concentrated formulas available. HA is a

naturally occurring substance in the body but can be given if the body is not

producing enough or if the body needs more help. This supplement is given

orally. This is to allow the body to use the HA where it needs it. This is a

better way to give help to the body as compared to targeted injections.

January 26, 2015Evaluation 1

• Casanova had been in his stall for 2 days before this because of paddock conditions. He was

stocked up on his rear right foot. He was worked in a broken Pelham on both reins at the

walk, trot, and canter. I started working on the left rein. He was very energetic and ornery.

Willing to move forward and worked down at the trot. Canter was initially rushed and then

able to be collected. I switched the rein and repeated the warm up. He was very stiff and

reluctant to move going to the right. Warmed up extensively at the trot to bend and flex to

warm up. Canter was very rushed and choppy. He was reluctant to pick up the right lead

the first two transitions. Once he picked up the lead, I broke him down to drill the canter

transitions with him. Well exercised today and went back to his stall starting to sweat.

February 2, 2015Evaluation 2

• Casanova was quiet in the stall and very obedient during the

preparation. Ridden in his eggbutt snaffle. Started going very

calm and relaxed and ready to work. Rode in a loose rein and put

through my normal warm-up routine. Walk to trot going to the left

then changing to walk and trot to the right. After appropriate

warm-up, I asked for the canter and received the right lead

immediately. Changed the rein again and cantered on the left lead.

Overall, Casanova performed immaculately.

February 19, 2015Evaluation 3

• Casanova was very willing to work today. His stall manners were exemplary and was very

responsive to the aids given starting off. I warmed him up at the walk and trot going to

the left first and then switched the direction to do the same thing. After an appropriate

amount of time, I asked for the right lead canter. He picked up the lead easily and

smoothly. After a lap and a half, I switched the rein again and asked for the canter from

the walk. Overall, he performed very well. The Basic class was practicing with the

obstacles from the Trooper Challenge and I joined the line to help the new guys and

Casanova with the obstacles. He had no problem with the bridge and the gate but did not

like the broom and ball.

Flexion Tests

• Designed to evaluate the range of motion in the horse’s body

Conclusion

• The joint supplement did work and helped

Casanova become a better horse. It helped

relieve some of the soreness/stiffness in his limbs.

This made him comfortable when working and a

more obedient partner.