When it comes to competitive sports—whether human or animal—one of the most significant factors determining success is recovery time, athletes and their trainers constantly seek methods to maximize performance, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery. While the American medical industry downplays its benefits due to its non-patentable status, Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) remains one of the most widely used yet unspoken performance enhancers in high-level competition.
Every Olympian coach holds a bottle of 70% DMSO (diluted with 30% pure distilled water). It’s a staple in nearly every professional gym bag and is often the secret weapon used between heats or post-competition to increase rapid recovery and reduce pain and inflammation. However, many may not realize that DMSO is just as essential in competitive animal sports as it is in human athletics.
Across the world, high-performance animal competitions rely on DMSO to keep their athletes—whether they be horses, dogs, camels, oxen, or even yaks—at peak performance. This article explores the use of DMSO in some of the most rigorous animal sports, showcasing its role in enhancing endurance, reducing injury risks, and ensuring the fastest possible recovery times.
Why DMSO is a Staple in Competitive Animal Sports
DMSO is an organic compound derived from wood pulp that has the unique ability to penetrate the skin and carry other substances with it—even those that would otherwise be insoluble. It acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and muscle relaxant, making it indispensable in high-impact sports and races where muscle strain, soreness, and injuries are common.
Benefits of DMSO in Competitive Animal Sports
✔️ Reduces inflammation—helps manage muscle swelling and joint strain
✔️ Relieves pain—acts as a natural analgesic, reducing discomfort from injuries
✔️ Speeds recovery time—promotes rapid healing, allowing for quicker return to competition
✔️ Enhances circulation—increases blood flow to stressed muscles and tissues
✔️ Prevents oxidative stress—protects against free radicals and tissue damage from intense exertion
With these benefits, it’s no surprise that DMSO is kept on hand at nearly every elite-level animal competition.
DMSO in High-Performance Animal Competitions
1. Horse Racing (Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Endurance Racing)
Where: Kentucky Derby (USA), Dubai World Cup (UAE), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (France), Melbourne Cup (Australia), and more.
How DMSO is Used:
- Applied topically pre-race to increase circulation and warm up muscles.
- Used post-race to prevent inflammation and soreness in tendons and ligaments.
- In endurance racing, where horses run over 100 miles in a single event, DMSO helps reduce oxidative stress and muscle fatigue, keeping horses in top condition.
2. Greyhound Racing
Where: England, Australia, Ireland, Mexico, and some U.S. states where it is still legal.
How DMSO is Used:
- Greyhounds are high-speed sprinters, making them prone to muscle cramps, tendon injuries, and paw inflammation.
- Trainers often rub DMSO on their legs and shoulders post-race to relieve soreness and prevent injuries.
- Its penetrative properties ensure that healing compounds reach the deeper muscle layers, making it a go-to remedy in greyhound kennels.
3. Dog Breed Competitions (Agility, Schutzhund, and Show Dogs)
Where: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (USA), Crufts (UK), American Kennel Club (AKC) events, European dog sport championships.
How DMSO is Used:
- Show dogs undergo intense training, agility courses, and Schutzhund (protection work), all of which put stress on their joints.
- DMSO is applied to sore muscles and joints after heavy training days to maintain peak flexibility and movement.
- Some handlers use it as part of recovery massages for dogs who train daily.
4. Camel Racing
Where: UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, Mongolia, and Australia.
How DMSO is Used:
- Racing camels reach speeds of 40 mph, leading to significant joint strain.
- DMSO is rubbed onto leg joints before and after races to keep camels from developing inflammation and stiffness.
- In extreme climates like the deserts of the Middle East, where dehydration can cause cramping, DMSO helps maintain flexibility by improving blood flow.
5. Oxen Cart Racing
Where: Costa Rica, Indonesia, Thailand, and parts of India.
How DMSO is Used:
- Oxen cart races require extreme bursts of strength over short distances.
- Post-race, oxen receive DMSO rubs on their shoulders, legs, and hooves to ease tension and prevent injury.
- Some farmers and racers also apply it before races to increase blood circulation and prevent cramping during the event.
6. Goat Racing
Where: Trinidad and Tobago, India, Jamaica.
How DMSO is Used:
- Goat racing is an intense sprinting sport that requires maximum agility from the animals.
- Trainers use DMSO on leg muscles and joints to keep the goats limber and pain-free after races.
- It is particularly useful for preventing shin splints and minor sprains.
7. Yak Racing
Where: Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, and Northern China.
How DMSO is Used:
- Yaks are heavy animals that race at high altitudes, making joint health a major concern.
- DMSO is used post-race for rapid muscle recovery and to prevent fluid buildup in joints.
- Helps counteract oxidative stress from extreme physical exertion.
Why DMSO Should Be in Every Home and Travel First Aid Kit
DMSO isn’t just for elite athletes and competitive animals—it’s a must-have for home use as well. Whether for reducing pain from injuries, treating burns, or accelerating wound healing, its effectiveness is undeniable.
Uses for DMSO in Everyday First Aid:
✔️ Joint pain and arthritis relief
✔️ Burns and wound healing
✔️ Sprains, strains, and bruises
✔️ Post-surgery or post-injury recovery
✔️ Relieving back pain and muscle spasms
With its incredible anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and healing properties, DMSO belongs in every first aid kit, whether for home use or travel.
Despite the medical industry’s resistance to non-patentable treatments, DMSO continues to be a staple in high-performance sports—both human and animal. From Olympic athletes to thoroughbred racehorses, greyhounds, camels, oxen, goats, and yaks, DMSO remains the unspoken secret of champions.
For those in the know, it’s not a question of if DMSO works—but rather how much it can enhance performance and recovery when used correctly. Whether you’re training for elite competitions or simply looking for a powerful natural remedy, DMSO stands as one of the most effective and versatile solutions available today.
Discover more in DMSO for Humans by Herb Roi Richards
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