The Use of SAA Testing

A Practical Example of the Use of SAA Testing

The graph below shows the SAA test results for one of the horses taking part in the trial over a particular period.

 

This horse was reported as being in good condition, no abnormalities or problems apparent to either the trainer or to the vet. The SAA results from 12/03 however indicated that the horse was having a problem and that there had been a very marked activation if it’s immune system in response to an unknown challenge. The horse raced on the 19/03 and performed poorly; well below expectations for the field it raced with.

So Seamus is convinced of the usefulness of SAA as a tool to help in monitoring his horse’s performance. However, he is also aware that SAA is not a “wonder test”. Tridelta doesn’t claim that the test will help a horse win! It also isn’t a guarantee; it will tell the trainer that the horse is clear of any inflammatory processes or reactions which can prevent optimum performance: it can’t of course tell how it will perform against other horses in a race on any given day, only that there is no reason detectable by SAA which would affect the horse’s performance. Even so, experience has shown that SAA testing is a valuable addition to preparation for racing: regular monitoring can also show the general health condition of the horse and can be an indicator of how the animal is recovering from a problem as well as indicate that a problem is developing. Our work with Seamus has also shown that taking the sample before or after exercise does not affect the result.