Lateral digital extenser tendon

[Green Bean]

My horse has caused damage to her tendon (name in title). This sits at the back of the cannon bone, below the knee of the front leg. She has been on box rest for 3 weeks so far and last week she started with laser treatment which is a complimentary treatment. It started off as 3 months rehab back to full work which is fine, but has now turned to box rest for 3 months with walking starting after 4 weeks for 10 minutes 'from the box' and possible slow return in 9 months. I am frustrated due to the goal posts being moved, but has anyone had a similar injury with their horse and can let me know what ranges of treatment they had and what to expect please? According to the vet, the worst thing to happen to her would be going out to the paddock, running and sliding to a stop in the mud which is how this tendon gets used when functional, but how it can worsen when not.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It's a tendon injury, doesnt matter whixh one. Your looking at a year before the horse is back into full work. The usual procedure in racing is 3 months in a box, 3 months walking, 3 months turnout, 3 months bringing back into work to race 12 months on from the initial injury.

Though now there is the thinking that, depending on the severity of the injury, that horses should start short walking exercise from day 14-ish onwards to help stimulate the healing process. Still on box rest, no turn out. This doesn't shorten the length of time you have to give the horse off it just helps the tendon heal with stronger quality fibres. This is still a new theory so the tried and tested results aren't fully known yet.