Hoof Beat

02/16/2026

02/16/2026

𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞? 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲.

Let’s normalize injecting more than just hocks and stifles. Yes, those are common problem areas. But performance horses can get sore anywhere they carry load, compensate, or overuse. Including the shoulder bursa.

The shoulder bursa helps reduce friction between soft tissue and bone. When it becomes inflamed, horses may show:
* Shortened stride in front
* Difficulty reaching forward
* Resistance to collection
* Subtle front end lameness

If we only ever look at the two back legs, we miss a lot. A thorough lameness exam, flexions, nerve blocks, and diagnostics guide where we treat. We inject where the problem actually is, not just where it’s popular.

Horses use their whole body. We treat the whole body.

𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐗 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
xxvets.com ◦ (940) 514-9500

02/16/2026

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02/14/2026

Congratulations to all of our Hoof Beat owners and horses on advancing to the MCGA Finals here South Point Cutting Mane Event XIII.

We’re proud to be part of your program and honored to help keep these incredible athletes feeling their best.

Let’s finish strong, Hoof Beat style 💜🐎

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02/14/2026

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02/14/2026

Purrrrr

02/14/2026

𝐓𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

“Tying up” refers to muscle damage that occurs during or after exercise. The medical term is exertional rhabdomyolysis. It ranges from mild stiffness to severe muscle breakdown that can become life threatening if not handled correctly.

Common symptoms:
* Sudden stiffness or short, choppy stride
* Firm, painful muscles over the topline or hindquarters
* Reluctance to move or stopping mid workout
* Sweating without heavy work
* Elevated heart rate
* Dark or coffee colored urine in more severe cases

If you suspect tying up, stop exercise immediately. Do not force the horse to keep walking it off. Continued movement can worsen muscle damage.

What you can do at home initially:
* Stop work and keep the horse quiet
* Offer fresh water
* Call your veterinarian for guidance
* Light hand walking only if your vet recommends it
* Remove grain until evaluated
* Anti inflammatories only under veterinary direction

When to call or haul in immediately:
* The horse is reluctant to move at all
* Muscles are extremely firm and painful
* Urine is dark brown
* Heart rate remains elevated
* The episode is severe or the horse has a history of tying up

Treatment may include fluids, anti inflammatories, muscle relaxants, bloodwork to check muscle enzymes, and dietary adjustments depending on the underlying cause.

Some horses tie up due to management factors such as inconsistent work, high starch diets, or electrolyte imbalance. Others have underlying conditions like PSSM or recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis that require long term management.

The key is early recognition and not pushing through it. Tying up is not just soreness. It is muscle injury.

𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐗 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
xxvets.com ◦ (940) 514-9500

02/13/2026

02/13/2026

🐴 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐧-𝟏 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 - 𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐏 💉

Joint inflammation and osteoarthritis are common causes of pain and decreased performance in horses. One of the advanced therapies we use at Signature Equine Hospital is IRAP, or Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein therapy. A cutting-edge, biologic treatment that harnesses your horse’s own immune system to combat joint inflammation.

🔎 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐏?
IRAP is a naturally occurring protein in the horse’s body that blocks the activity of interleukin-1 (IL-1), a potent inflammatory cytokine found in high levels in diseased joints. IL-1 initiates a cascade of inflammation that leads to cartilage breakdown and progressive joint damage. By antagonizing IL-1, IRAP interrupts this damaging inflammatory cycle.

💉 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐏?
We begin by drawing about 90 mL of blood from your horse’s jugular vein into a specialized syringe containing borosilicate glass beads. The blood incubates for 18-24 hours, stimulating the white blood cells to produce increased levels of IRAP. After incubation, the blood is centrifuged to separate the IRAP-rich serum, which is then prepared in sterile syringes for injection.

🩸 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐏 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?
When injected into affected joints or synovial structures, IRAP binds to IL-1 receptors, preventing IL-1 from attaching and triggering the inflammatory process. This targeted blocking reduces inflammation, minimizes pain, and slows progression of degenerative joint disease.

❓ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐏?
We choose IRAP for cases where targeted, natural anti-inflammatory therapy can make the biggest difference in managing joint inflammation and improving your horse’s comfort and performance. Especially in cases like:
◾ Managing mild to moderate osteoarthritis, especially in athletic or aging horses
◾ Horses unresponsive to traditional corticosteroid injections
◾ As a steroid-sparing alternative for metabolic horses and ponies
◾ Support post-surgical joint healing, such as after arthroscopic procedures
◾ For performance horses needing competition-legal joint therapies

📝 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐏:
IRAP provides a natural, targeted approach to joint inflammation with benefits that include:
◾ Uses the horse’s own biological response for a natural anti-inflammatory effect
◾ Minimizes potential side effects seen with repeated steroid use
◾ Can be safely administered multiple times over a horse’s lifetime
◾ Supports improved comfort and joint function, helping extend athletic careers and quality of life

At Signature Equine Hospital, we are dedicated to providing the latest, science-backed treatments like IRAP to support your horse’s joint health and overall well-being. By harnessing your horse’s own natural healing proteins, IRAP offers a safe and effective option to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and slow the progression of joint disease. IRAP helps your horse stay active, comfortable, and performing at their best for years to come. If you want to learn more about IRAP or see if it’s right for your horse, contact us today!

www.sehtx.com | 📱 254-968-7898

02/12/2026

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02/12/2026