Elastikon Equine Award to Promote Soundness in Horses

A research project to be conducted by a team led by Dr. Chris Kawcak at Colorado State University and aimed at avoiding a common type of fracture in athletic horses has been designated the recipient of the first Elastikon© Equine Research Award. The Elastikon© award is made possible by a grant from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

The award-winning project is one of 13 new studies recently approved by the foundation board of directors for funding in 2007.

Dr. Kawcak's project addresses the shape of the fetlock joint of horses and how minute differences in shape may be related to condylar fracture, a common injury in racehorses. By developing patient-specific computer modeling, the researchers seek to help horse trainers and managers differentiate between normal progression and the shape and type of change that indicates oncoming injury.

"This research can be a significant step in warning horsemen before an injury occurs," said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "Great strides have been made in treatment of many injuries, but avoiding them is even better."

"We are pleased to be associated with work that has so much potential to help those who help the equine athlete," said Jack Weakley, director of the Sports Medicine Group of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company. "This is a gratifying new extension of Johnson & Johnson's focus on the veterinary market."

Elastikon© brand elastic tape and other company products are staples among horsemen and veterinarians.