In the competitive world of endurance, maintaining peak performance is an endless challenge. In this blog post, we delve into the journey of Stonelea Sparking Rose (Rose), a 20-year-old part-bred Arabian, who battled arthritis and found renewed strength through ArthramidVet®.  

Rose boasts an impressive competitive history, having completed races up to 120km and accumulated over 6,000 competitive kilometres in her 15 years of competition. However, in 2017, a diagnosis of arthritis in both front fetlocks threatened to sideline her as the wear and tear was beginning to take its toll. 

Initially, Rose was put on a course of Pentosan which provided relief in the early stages, however by July 2020, lameness had returned and Rose was treated with a combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Triamcinolone in both fore fetlocks. Unfortunately, the relief was short-lived, and owner-rider, Heidi Bulfin noticed her feeling slightly lame again during a ride in late November, just 4 months later. 

With little to lose at this point, Heidi asked her Vet, Dr Gabby Marks of Vet Marlborough about ArthramidVet and the decision was made to give it a go. 

Rose was treated in December 2020 with 1ml ArthramidVet® into both fore-fetlock joints. Following the treatment, she was given 1 week of rest before commencing a slow return to full work. Heidi admits she was probably a bit cautious about returning to competition and she didn’t compete again until March 2021, in an Open 31km CTR, in which the pair duly won. 

Rose also had windgalls which reduced immediately after the Arthramid treatment and remain no longer a concern. 

“Rose has now had three years since the [Arthramid] treatment and competes in CTRs here in Marlborough (on hard ground) every month, usually winning them” comments Heidi. 

Most recently, in January 2024, they competed in a 25km and Rose had her lowest CTR score ever, with an over-the-line heart rate of just 34.

“Rose is over 20 now and still going strong and loving life.  I recommend ArthramidVet to anyone who asks and would definitely use it again if and when required.”

Rose’s journey is a testament to the longevity and effectiveness of ArthramidVet in managing arthritis and restoring performance in ageing equine athletes.

“I’ve heard that Arthramid is available for human use [registered as Arthrosamid] in some countries and I have to say that I would not hesitate to fly halfway around the world to use it myself if I was ever in need” says Heidi.