Evaluation of Collagen Supplements to Reduce the Occurrence of Orthopedic Injuries in Trained Foals

Hydrolyzed collagen is a popular supplement for equine joint health due to its potential role in cartilage metabolism and tissue repair. However, scientific validation of its efficacy remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation in the diet of trained foals on the occurrence of orthopedic injuries and joint changes. Twenty Mangalarga Marchador foals were used and randomly allocated to either a collagen supplementation group (50 g/day for 180 days) or a control group. During this period, the foals were exercised five consecutive days per week. Every 36 days, the hock region was evaluated by radiography and ultrasonography. The concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the articular synovial fluid were also measured. For imaging parameters, the data were analyzed using non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests. For synovial fluid parameters, the data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were compared using Tukey's test, with a significance level set to 0.05. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in radiographic, ultrasonographic, and synovial fluid parameters, indicating reduced inflammation and joint degeneration in the supplemented group. It is concluded that hydrolyzed collagen supplementation reduced inflammation and joint degeneration in trained foals without altering joint homeostasis. The significance of this finding is substantial, as it proposes a nutritional strategy to prevent joint disorders while reducing reliance on invasive interventions. However, further research involving extended follow-up and varied supplementation protocols is critical to confirm the sustainability of these outcomes and validate the long-term efficacy of this approach.