Is Pro-Stride the Right Treatment for Your Horse?
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
When a horse is diagnosed with joint inflammation or osteoarthritis, one of the first questions I am asked is, "Should we inject it with steroids, or is Pro-Stride a better option?"
The reality is that there isn't one treatment that suits every horse. Every case is different, and the best treatment depends on the diagnosis, the joint involved, the stage of disease, the horse's workload and your long-term goals.
Over the past few years, regenerative medicine has become an increasingly important part of equine sports medicine. One of the most widely used regenerative therapies is Pro-Stride APS, but despite its growing popularity, there is still a lot of confusion about what it actually is and where it fits alongside more traditional joint therapies.
What is Pro-Stride APS?
Pro-Stride APS (Autologous Protein Solution) is a regenerative therapy created using your horse's own blood. A small blood sample is collected and processed stall-side using a specialised centrifuge system. In less than 30 minutes, the system concentrates naturally occurring anti-inflammatory proteins, platelets and growth factors into a small volume of solution, which is then injected into the affected joint under sterile conditions.
Because Pro-Stride is made from the horse's own blood, it is an autologous treatment, meaning there is minimal risk of rejection or disease transmission.
How Does It Work?
Conditions such as osteoarthritis and synovitis are driven by inflammation within the joint. Over time, inflammatory proteins contribute to cartilage breakdown, pain and reduced joint function.
Pro-Stride works by concentrating naturally occurring anti-inflammatory proteins, particularly interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), along with growth factors and platelets. These proteins help regulate inflammation within the joint and support a healthier joint environment.
It is important to understand what Pro-Stride doesn't do.
It is not a stem cell treatment, and it does not regenerate damaged cartilage or reverse osteoarthritis. Instead, its aim is to reduce inflammation and improve the biological environment within the joint, helping to improve comfort and support long-term joint health.
Which Horses Might Benefit?
Pro-Stride may be an appropriate treatment option for horses with:
Early osteoarthritis
Synovitis
Mild to moderate joint pain affecting performance
Horses where long-term joint management is a priority
Selected tendon and ligament injuries where regenerative medicine may be beneficial
As with any treatment, careful case selection is essential. Not every horse with arthritis is a suitable candidate, and not every joint problem requires regenerative therapy.
Is Pro-Stride Better Than Corticosteroids?
This is probably the most common question I hear, but I don't believe it's the right question.
Instead of asking "Which treatment is better?", I ask "Which treatment is most appropriate for this horse, for the stage of inflammation we are managing?"
Corticosteroids remain an excellent, evidence-based treatment for many inflammatory joint conditions. They are highly effective at reducing inflammation and continue to play an important role in equine sports medicine.
Pro-Stride APS is another treatment option. Rather than replacing corticosteroids, it offers a biologic approach that may be particularly useful in carefully selected horses as part of a longer-term management strategy.
There is no single "best" joint injection. The decision depends on the diagnosis, the structures involved, the stage of disease, previous treatments and the individual horse.
What Does the Research Tell Us?
Research into Pro-Stride APS has shown encouraging results in horses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. Clinical studies have reported improvements in lameness, joint range of motion and objective gait measurements following treatment in appropriately selected horses. Laboratory studies have also demonstrated high concentrations of anti-inflammatory proteins, particularly IL-1Ra, within the final product.
Like all regenerative and joint therapies, however, Pro-Stride is not a cure for osteoarthritis. Current evidence supports its use as one component of a comprehensive management plan, rather than a standalone solution. The goal being to slow the rate of progression of arthritis through mediating inflammation and reduce cartilage degradation and bone change.
Successful Treatment Involves More Than an Injection
One of the strongest messages reinforced during the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures this year was that successful outcomes rarely come from a single treatment.
Whether a horse receives Pro-Stride APS, corticosteroids or another regenerative therapy, long-term success depends on making an accurate diagnosis, selecting the most appropriate treatment and supporting recovery with a structured rehabilitation plan.
This may include progressive exercise, farriery, saddle assessment, rehabilitation exercises and regular reassessment to monitor progress. An injection can help create the right environment for recovery, but rehabilitation is what helps the horse return to sustainable performance.
FAQ's
Is Pro-Stride the same as PRP?
No. Both are produced from the horse's own blood, but Pro-Stride undergoes additional processing to concentrate anti-inflammatory proteins as well as platelets and growth factors.
Is Pro-Stride a stem cell treatment?
No. Pro-Stride APS does not contain stem cells. It is an autologous protein solution created from the horse's own blood.
How long does the procedure take?
Blood collection and processing are completed stall-side in less than 20 minutes before the injection is performed.
What joints can be injected?
All synovial joints can be injected with Pro-Stride APS. We have had excellent results using it in coffin joints, stifles and necks in particular.
Does my horse still need rehabilitation?
Yes. Regenerative medicine works best when combined with an appropriate rehabilitation program and regular reassessment.
Is Pro-Stride suitable for every horse with arthritis?
No. Treatment recommendations should always be based on a complete lameness assessment and diagnosis. Every horse and every joint are different.
Key Take-Home Points
Pro-Stride APS is a regenerative therapy produced from your horse's own blood.
It works by concentrating naturally occurring anti-inflammatory proteins, platelets and growth factors.
It is designed to improve the inflammatory environment within the joint, not regenerate damaged cartilage.
It does not replace corticosteroids. Both treatments have an important role in equine sports medicine, however for regular joint maintenance regenerative therapies are safer for cartilage health.
The best results are achieved through accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection and a structured rehabilitation program.
Continue Reading
Beyond the Eye: Understanding Objective Gait AnalysisLearn how objective gait analysis helps identify subtle movement asymmetries and supports more accurate lameness diagnosis.
Rehabilitation Isn't Rest: Why Progressive Loading MattersDiscover why successful outcomes rely on more than treatment alone, and how rehabilitation plays a vital role in long-term recovery.
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Ready to Discuss the Best Option for Your Horse?
Every horse is different, and choosing the right treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. If your horse has been diagnosed with arthritis, joint inflammation or isn't performing as expected, I'd be happy to discuss the most appropriate treatment options.
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