Legend product packaging Legend product packaging

LEGEND® (hyaluronate sodium)

Managing Degenerative Joint Disease

All horses are susceptible to joint damage and inflammation from everyday wear and tear. This inflammation is called synovitis and is the earliest stage of degenerative joint disease (DJD). If left unchecked, it will progress, affecting the cartilage and bone in the joint — resulting in permanent osteoarthritis (OA).

If your horse is showing performance issues, unwillingness to work, gait asymmetry, lameness, heat and swelling in a limb or decreased mobility, contact your veterinarian. The earlier synovitis is recognized and treated, the greater the chance of maintaining your horse's performance, soundness and longevity. If your horse is diagnosed with synovitis or an OA-related joint dysfunction, ask your veterinarian about treatment with LEGEND® Injectable Solution.

Top Reasons to Choose LEGEND

For over 30 years, LEGEND Injectable Solution has been providing proven improvement for horses with joint dysfunction, due to noninfectious synovitis associated with equine OA.1

Horse hoof being examined Horse hoof being examined

Treats the Root Cause

LEGEND reduces inflammation2 while boosting production of natural joint lubrication3 — meaning it is actually modifying the disease itself.

Horse running Horse running

Proven Effective

90% of horses treated intravenously and 96% of horses treated intra-articularly with LEGEND were judged to have excellent to good overall clinical improvement.1

Legend products on table in barn Legend products on table in barn

Flexible Options

With options for both intravenous and intra-articular use, veterinary treatment with LEGEND can be tailored to your horse’s needs.

Understanding different kinds of NSAIDs Understanding different kinds of NSAIDs

Understanding administration options

LEGEND has labels for both intravenous (IV) and intra-articular (IA) use. IV administration means the hyaluronic acid is injected into the bloodstream, and can be useful if multiple joints are affected. IA administration can provide targeted relief by injecting the hyaluronic acid directly into the affected joint. Talk to your veterinarian to understand whether IV or IA treatment with LEGEND is right for your horse.

Protecting legendary performance

Hear how trainer and manager Casey Watson works with her veterinarian, Jeremy Frederick, DVM, DACVIM, owner, Advanced Equine of the Hudson Valley, to keep her horse Bruce and all of the horses she cares for sound and feeling good.

Dosage & Administration

LEGEND® Injectable Solution can only be used by or on the order of a veterinarian.
LEGEND Multi Dose (20 mL) and LEGEND 4 mL (40 mg) are for intravenous use only (at a dosage of 4 mL), and may be repeated at weekly intervals for up to three weeks. 
LEGEND 2 mL (20 mg) can be injected intravenously (at a dosage of 4 mL) or intra-articularly in the carpus or fetlock.
Not for use in humans. Keep this and all other drugs out of reach of children.
For more information please read Legend 2 mL Product Information, Legend 4 mL Product Information, and Legend Multi-dose 20 mL Product Information.

Resources
Safety

Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use only in horses. Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.
LEGEND 4 mL and LEGEND Multi Dose 20 mL are approved only for I.V. use.
LEGEND 2 mL is approved for I.V. and I.A. use. The intra-articular safety of LEGEND Multi Dose 20 mL with benzyl alcohol has not been evaluated.
The safety of LEGEND has not been evaluated in breeding stallions or in breeding, pregnant or lactating mares.
The following adverse reactions have been reported following use of LEGEND Injectable Solution: Following intravenous use: occasional depression, lethargy, and fever.
Following intra-articular (LEGEND Injectable Solution — 2 mL only) use: lameness, joint effusion, joint or injection-site swelling and joint pain.
Not for use in humans. Keep this and all other drugs out of reach of children. Strict aseptic techniques should be observed when administering by intra-articular injection.
Store at or below 77° F (25° C). Brief excursions to 104° F (40° C) are permitted.

References

LEGEND Product label 
Kawcak CE, Frisbie DD, Trotter GW, et al. Effects of intravenous administration of sodium hyaluronate on carpal joints in exercising horses after arthroscopic surgery and osteochondral fragmentation.  Am J Vet Res 1997;58(10):1132–1140. 
Smith MM, Ghosh P. The synthesis of hyaluronic acid by human synovial fibroblasts is influenced by the nature of the hyaluronate in the extracellular environment.  Rheumatol Int 1987;7(3):113–222.



LEGEND® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. ©2026 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Johns Creek, GA. All rights reserved. 
US-EQU-0156-2026

LEGEND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: The following adverse reactions have been reported following intravenous injection: occasional depression, lethargy and fever. Following intra-articular injection: lameness, joint effusion, joint or injection-site swelling, and joint pain.