Owners Attend Seminar on Equine Stem-Cell Research
Arcadia, Calif. – More than 60 people attended a seminar on equine stem-cell research and therapy at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) Library in Arcadia on Sunday evening, March 22. Drs. Greg Ferraro, Larry Galuppo and Sean Owens of U.C. Davis discussed the stem-cell research program being conducted at the university and provided a glimpse into the future of stem-cell therapy for horses.
The seminar was hosted by the California Thoroughbred Foundation, Southern California Equine Foundation, and TOC. It was one of a popular series of seminars held annually since 2002 in an effort to help educate Thoroughbred owners on various aspects of equine veterinary medicine.
The speakers discussed the best sources of stem cells in horses, methods for culturing, shipping and storing them, targeting specific injuries with the cells, current clinical trials being done, and the outlook for stem-cell therapy in the next five years.
Once harvested, stem cells can be stored for as long as 30 years at the proper temperature and conditions – making them useful for the life of the horse. Stem cells are usually harvested from the umbilical cord upon foaling, or later from the bone marrow of young horses. The hope for the future is that, if a horse injures itself in training or racing, there will be stem cells available to treat the injury.
TOC is the official organization serving new, veteran and future Thoroughbred owners in the state. It represents, advances, and protects owners’ interests and rights in legislative, administrative and business matters. Additionally, the organization provides ongoing educational opportunities for current and prospective owners, regularly presenting programs on Thoroughbred ownership. www.toconline.com.