Shock wave therapy is a treatment that is used by veterinarians to treat conditions such as bone fractures or ligament problems on horses. It promotes bone growth and healing as well as minimizing the pain. Horses can return to full activity without the recurrence of disease. Shock wave does not use electrical pulses but high-energy acoustic pulses (like sound waves) that travel readily through soft tissues. The pulses stimulate osteoclasts (the bone cells that rebuild the bone) and enhance the development of new blood vessels. The therapy also provides an anti-inflammatory action that reduces the biochemicals responsible for pain. As such, the nerve impulse transmission is disrupted and pain perception is decreased. Studies have shown that horses do better post treatment when rested.
The ORC requires the reporting on Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and Radial Pulse Wave Therapy (RPWT). This is pursuant to Horse Racing Act. The equipment and use of such therapies is required to be reported to the ORC veterinarian using the ORC form found on our website.
The following procedures shall be implemented for the use of ESWT-RPWT on race horses: - Only licensed veterinarians who are in good standing with the ORC and the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine may use ESWT-RPWT
- All ESWT-RPWT equipment must be registered with the ORC using the ORC form RC-109, "Registration of Shock Wave/Radial Pulse Therapy Equipment."
- All ESWT-RPWT treatment of race horses must be reported by the treating veterinarian using the ORC form RC-108 titled "Horses Treated with Extracorpeal Shock Wave Therapy and Radial Pulse Wave Therapy" to the ORC veterinarian within 24 hours of treatment if the race horse being treated is intended to be entered at a Michigan licensed pari-mutuel track within 10 days of treatment.
- All horses receiving treatment will be placed on the Vet's List and will not be eligible to race for 7 days following the treatment. Day 1 is the day following the treatment.
- Failure to follow any of these will result in the notification to the Board of Stewards for disciplinary action.
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