Posted: 2nd May 2025 | Back to news feed
West Sussex equine charity collaborates with research firm to help pioneer new approach for treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal issues
- High-potency PRP dose shows significant improvement over a two-year period.
- Traditional PRP systems produce lower dose levels.
- West Sussex-based charity aims to raise awareness of the new treatment.
A West Sussex-based rehabilitation centre for horses has unveiled impressive findings from two years of research into high-potency Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment for complex equine musculoskeletal issues. The study reveals a strong correlation between platelet concentration and the ability to stimulate wound healing and tissue regeneration for a range of conditions including chronic arthritis, kissing spines, facet joint pain, and tendon and ligament injuries.
Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre, one of the leading equine rehabilitation facilities in the south of England, is helping to pioneer this new approach to treatment. The Slinfold, Horsham, based charity has been partnering with Advanced Biologics Research Ltd since 2023 to refine current PRP approaches and offer a viable alternative to traditional treatments like steroids and invasive surgery.
Angel Equine PRP Primordial Medicine utilises the treated horse’s own blood, infused with a concentrated mix of autologous growth factors, over 600 proteins, cytokines, and chemokines. This innovative method surpasses the standard platelet concentration levels found in common PRP systems, with recent data highlighting its success.
Key findings include:
- Efficacy: A strong positive correlation between platelet concentration and treatment effectiveness.
- Rapid Pain Reduction: Significant pain relief within 24-72 hours.
- Safety Profile: 80 treatments performed with no adverse effects or clinical complications.
- Clinical Improvement: Over 83% of treated horses showed significant improvement.
- Comprehensive Treatment: Addressed various complex musculoskeletal issues, including kissing spine syndrome, coffin joints, Hocks, ligament, and tendon tears.
- Optimal Results: Combination of PRP treatments and exercise regime yields best outcomes.
Mary Frances, Chief Executive of the charity, which specialises in re-schooling and rehabilitating all breeds of horses, including former racehorses, says: “The results after two years are very encouraging. We see hundreds of horses annually, many struggling with osteoarthritis, ligament and tendon injuries, or wounds that have failed to heal properly. Our specially-formulated dose, produced on-site, is showing remarkable success in these areas.
“These results are particularly promising for overweight Cob horses and ponies, where traditional treatments like steroids can sometimes lead to laminitis.”
Advanced Biologics Research, which specialises in biopharma innovation to give new hope for animals with complex and challenging diseases, produces the unique formula for the charity. The organisation’s director, Janet Hadfield, explains: “Current human PRP treatment lacks a standard recommendation for optimal therapeutic dose levels, and this is also the case with horses. Guidelines suggest platelet levels for horses that are only half those of humans.
“Additionally, as horses age, their normal platelet concentrations decrease, reducing the effectiveness of standard PRP systems. Our research suggests that increasing the platelet level in each dose will provide significant benefits.”
Moorcroft employs the Arthrex Angel Blood Processing System, an automated and closed system provided at point-of-care at the centre. This ensures the PRP is fresh and prepared safely to the highest clinical standards by qualified technical experts following rigorous validated Standard Operating Procedures. Importantly, the treatment does not travel well, so being made and administered on site is highly beneficial in terms of its effectiveness.
Mary adds: “Regenerative medicine like PRP is one of the most exciting therapies introduced to the equine industry in recent years. We are thrilled to collaborate with Advanced Biologics Research to further develop PRP treatment.
“We aim to raise awareness about this new treatment so more horses can benefit from this non-invasive, life-changing therapy with long-lasting and sustainable benefits. We also offer the opportunity for people to bring their horses for treatment with our in-house veterinary team.”
Vasco Lopes, DVM MRCVS, owner and veterinary surgeon at Equine Veterinary Performance Limited in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, administers the PRP treatment at Moorcroft. He says: “I’ve treated many horses with this PRP treatment and have seen them experience significant reductions in pain, as well as improvements in their mobility and overall quality of life. This is particularly the case when combined with a dedicated exercise regime.
“PRP treatment is well researched in the treatment of osteo-arthritis and tendon and ligament injuries in horses. This treatment appears to be offering horses long-lasting respite from the pain and immobility of musculoskeletal issues. This is extremely exciting and offering much hope and optimism for the management of these conditions now and in the future.”
Moorcroft Equine Rehabilitation Centre can provide schooling and rehabilitation, for any length of time, for all breeds of horses, whether as a result of lameness, time-off, or following surgery. The charity also runs educational courses for both horse owners and professionals in the equine industry, including long reining courses and equine massage. It is dedicated to helping horses thrive.
The charity will host a ‘Demonstration Day’ on Saturday, April 12th, featuring a dedicated presentation on its PRP treatment, followed by an expert Q&A session.
To find out more about this unique treatment or to attend the Demonstration Day, please visit: www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk or call 07929 666408.
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