Lovely grounds, with the Rolex clock showcased.
Although rain and cool weather dampened the excitement and cheery faces normally seen on the first day of the WEF circuit, on my return for week three, I am reporting that Wellington is alive and sizzling – action wise, since it has still been on the cool side for all but Sunday.
Each Thursday during the circuit, a complimentary lunch and lecture is held at the show grounds at one of the enclosed areas overlooking the International Ring. Anyone may attend who is a rider, owner or trainer. (You don’t have to be an owner of a Florida horse).
The discussion for this week involved current therapies in the management of soft tissue injuries – plus we were served chicken piccata for lunch! A lecturer from Tufts University advised that since horses’ tendons degenerate over time, it takes just one bad step for a soft tissue injury to occur. The horse’s body, upon injury, lays down scar tissue quickly to get healing to occur. However, this scar tissue is not strong, so the goal is to minimize the scarring and get the area back to what it was before the injury. The newest therapies involve PRP (platelet rich plasma) and stem cells. Fat harvesting was also discussed. I’ll let you all look that one up yourselves – it’s not for the squeamish.