Riding exercises to strengthen damaged tendon??

[MagicMelon]

As some of you know, my wonderful horse seriously damaged his tendon early last year. Its been a hell of a year with surgery, box rest, walking out in hand etc. until he re-injured it (due to being so mental on box rest) and we basically just chucked him back out in the field, got loss of use and our vet said just basically retire him but see how he goes - if I wanted to get back on to walk about I could but that'd be hopeful. Anyway, he seems to have improved a bit further - he's obviously still not 100% "right" however he loves being ridden and has actually been rather depressed at doing no work (he adored competing) so I've started riding him for short periods (have built up to about 15 mins up and down slight inclines in the field) only in walk. He loves it and is already perking up in general. I never intend to compete again obviously as even if he ever did come right (unlikely) then its too big a risk. But I would like to know if anyone knows of good stengthening exercises I can do under saddle to give him the best chance of NOT reinjuring it as I know the percentage risk is very high after an injury? I try not to do small circles as I know that puts perhaps too much pressure on the tendon (a hind), and I do turn on the forehands and leg yielding just to give us something to do (walk is pretty dull!) and have just started walking over a few poles. Anything else I can do (or should avoid)??

 

[Izzwizz]

My mare tore her DDFT in her hoof 4yrs ago now. She was in a similar situation to your yours with the box rest etc. She is just used now for hacking out which she loves. The Vet who treated her recommended road work and lots of it for strengthening and he wasn't wrong. We dont do schooling anymore or jumping as like you, I just know she isnt "right", its probably due to any adhesions that may have formed, tendons are never the same again once damaged. So far so good with my mare, she's 18 so there is no need for her to prove anything anymore, I just want her to stay sound and happy.

 

[MagicMelon]

Yeah, mine was his DDFT too - he had a core lesion, very rare apparently hence the vets admitted they didn't / don't know the full outcome. Sounds like your mare is pretty happy now then. I'd love to hack mine, but he's not a hacking horse sadly... I gave up hacking years ago on him after he bolted with me twice spooking at cows I dont think he's grown up any and even being lame, he can still gallop round the field and therefore still able to bolt (plus that destroyed my confidence hacking, only just trying to restore it on my other more-sane horse)!!

 

[bonny]

I don't think there are any excerises that can strengthen a damaged tendon, the only thing that helps is time. I have a tb who has broken down twice and come back to ridden work. He had a long time in the field and was only walking till recently but he is very forward going and so is now in normal work and his leg seems fine. I wouldn't do alot of schooling with him but apart from that I just treat him as normal.