Possible tendon damage to hind leg

[hairymolly]

I pretty sure that my horse has done her tendon on her nearside hind leg, vets up this afternoon to look at. Now if it is her tendon what have I got n front of me? Months of box rest? Or could she be turned away? Any advice or shared experiences would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[pip6]

You will know if it's tendon, will be red hot to the touch. I opted for turning out daily in a tiny paddock next to my girls friends to keep her sane. Would have gone nuts on box rest, especially when they all went out in the morning. She was in there for 6 months (was very bad injury). Did injury in Oct, so was out there all over winter. Also gave her a treat ball, which she (still) adores filled with fibre nuts. Friend refilled it at lunch so she had plenty to occupy her whilst confined. You know your horse & whether they will tolerate box rest. If they wont, don't be afraid to say no to vet (they never recommend restricted turnout, always box rest), but make sure your paddock very small & they can see company so stay relaxed.

I then turned away for another 6 months, then slowly brought back into walking work (during which time she was covered). Stopped riding following december when she was 6 months pregnant, gave birth june, 6 months with foal, weaned, then started right from the beginning again with walking work following march. Basically she had about 2 1/2 years off. When you are bringing them up from soft you have to take your time, do it exactly right & don't be tempted to cut corners or push on because they are feeling good. Give them as much time as they need to come back sound again, then at least the same amount of time off to recuperate before you think about doing anything. The hardest thing is to resist the tempatation of starting them back too early because they are looking fine.

 

[hairymolly]

She been in a week and is already running round her stable shaking her head about, im not sure thats helpful!!! Trouble is at yard options are out in big field with the rest of them during the day and in at night, in all the time or in teh winter out field. The winter out field is pretty calm and they tend to take it pretty easy most of the time. Ill look into finding a yard that might be more suitable if need be.

Has anyone turned away a horse with tendon damage or would this be a bad move. I want to do the best for her but im not convinced 6 months in a stable is the answer.

 

[L&M]

Speak to your vet as every tendon injury and recovery programme is unique to each injury.

My lad had a traumatic tendon injury, and had 6 mnths box rest with a controlled excercise programme, starting with in hand walking and progressing to ridden. He also had Adequan injections and I applied cold therapy for a good 3 mnths until the heat/swelling had gone down.

It was a very tough time but was very lucky that he settled into box rest and didn't stress. The good news is that the horse came completely sound, and has been for the last 3 yrs, and is back to SJ, hunting and leads a totally normal life now.

Good luck

 

[eggs]

My retired old boy ruptured his superficial flexor tendon last January. He came in from the field slightly lame but with no obvious heat or swelling. It looked like it could be a foot abscess developing.

The vet was up next morning who confirmed that it was a serious tear. He was cold hosed and then had a RC bandage applied and was given anti inflammatory jabs and then put onto bute. Bandage was reapplied every three days for the first three weeks.

In all he had six months box rest but took it very well. As we keep the horses at home I was able to ensure that he always had a companion in next door to him so he wasn't left on his own. We tried to keep him amused by feeding him little and often and he had great fun with a treat ball.

After six months we started controlled in hand walking and then sedated him and put him in a stable sized electric fenced bit of paddock. After two weeks he started to fret so I took the plunge and turned him out.

He is now fine but I do think that getting immediate treatment greatly helped his recovery.