Peroneus Tertius tear - prognosis?

[Becca-84]

My loan horse (17 Yr old TB, unraced) fell over on the lunge last week and his near side hind went out back behind him. He got up on 3 legs and even once weight-baring, was lame with an unusual gait. Following ultrasound scans he has been diagnosed with a tear in the peroneus tertius tendon. The main damage is just above the hock. He is on 4-6 weeks complete box rest with twice weekly laser treatment for 4 weeks, rescan in 4 weeks. Guarded prognosis from vets, with 3-6 months predicted off work. Does anyone have any experience of this injury, and how was the recovery?

 

[Celtic Fringe]

I know of one horse who had this injury. He had a prolonged period of box rest and then controlled walking in-hand before restricted turnout and then back to his normal field. It took around a year to get him back into work but his owner took everything very slow and steady to build up his strength and fitness again. The vet said that giving the horse enough time was the main key to recovery. I hope everything goes really well for you and your horse - good luck!

 

[supagran]

I had a mare who had this injury back in 1999 . Absolute strict box rest, I think it was 4months, then very very limited turn out in a small pen before gradually turning out in field. We did put her in foal (AI) and when she was rescanned by Vet School they were amazed at the recovery. She had a total of 18 months off ridden work, but came back totally sound - even passing a 5 stage vetting and going on to a hunting home.

 

[Chippers1]

My pony had this injury too, 4 weeks after I bought him
He was on box rest for 3 months then small paddock turn out for 4 months. Controlled walking starting from 5 mins up to an hour every day which started towards the end of month 3.
He made a full recovery and was back in full work by around 6 months later. You'd never know now that he'd done it, it healed really well. The vet told me at the time it was one of the 'better' injuries to have as they generally healed pretty well, despite his leg looking like it was hanging off!

 

[Brownie in Bahrain]

My horse jumped out of his field and stretched this tendon last week. Vet said 4-6 months box rest. Gutted as he’s just been shipped from Bahrain where he spent 22hrs a day in a stable.. we’ve got a laser light therapy pad which we'll use every day, we'll ice very day and I’ve bought some Equine America Kentucky liquid too. Not sure if any of this will help but it’ll definitely help my mental health!