Equine Gel
Horses are natural athletes, and carnosine is a big part of their muscle story. Horse owners, riders and trainers are increasingly curious about carnosine for the horses they love.
Why carnosine and horses?
Horses have some of the highest muscle carnosine levels of any animal studied. Their muscles are built for speed and sustained effort, which is exactly where carnosine’s natural role in muscle comes into play. That is why horses have long been of interest to researchers studying muscle performance, and why equine physiology is often used as a comparison for elite human athletes.
Carnosine in equine muscle
Studies of Thoroughbred and other performance horses have measured carnosine concentrations in muscle many times higher than those typically found in people. The highest amounts are found in the fast-twitch fibres used for bursts of power, such as galloping and jumping.
Like in humans, carnosine in horse muscle acts as a natural buffer. During hard work, muscles produce hydrogen ions that make them more acidic, and carnosine helps keep conditions steadier. Researchers estimate it makes a meaningful contribution to the overall buffering capacity of equine muscle.
What research is exploring
Equine researchers have looked at whether carnosine levels in horse muscle can be supported, including studies feeding beta-alanine, one of carnosine’s building blocks, to performance horses. Results have been mixed, and oral approaches face the same breakdown challenges seen in people (see Why Topical).
Research summarised on thecarnosinelab.com also describes an equine trial looking at muscle buffering and post-exertion recovery in competitive horses using topical carnosine, with encouraging findings. Research in this area continues, and every horse is different.
Using a topical Gel on horses
A topical Gel can be applied directly to the areas a horse uses most, without adding anything to feed. Owners generally apply it to clean skin and work it in well. Always follow product directions, and watch how your own horse responds.
Want to know more about the research? Visit The Science.
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