Tendon injury in an older horse

[superpony]

Over the weekend, I found my elderly TB with a swollen leg. I am 99% sure it is an injury to his tendon. Since then, I have been cold hosing it three times a day and he has also spent the last three days in during the day due to the weather.
I know the general advice is to scan, box rest and bute.

He hasn't left the yard/been on the lorry for a number of years, is a stress head, super attached to my other retired horse and easily colics (especially if in for long periods) therefore I don't want to take him to scan it and I know if I box rest him/put him in a small paddock he will stress and colic. He is also prone to ulcers so not keen to bute him either!

He isn't overly uncomfortable on it. He is old and not 100% sound but it doesn't seem to be bothering him too much at the moment.

Has anyone got any advice? Fortunately, never had to deal with a tendon injury before. A friend has very kindly said I can borrow her Arc Equine and I am going to continue to ice/cold hose.

 

[TheMule]

Most vets have portable ultrasound scanners. You'll then know what you're dealing with and can make decisions from there

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Where is the swelling? Is it localised to the tendon or is it more leg round?

If it is localised pick your horses leg up and give the tendon a good squeeze every inch or so starting at the top and working your way down. If he flinches at any point and you can repeat the flinch in the same place 3 or 4 times I would say there's an injury there worth asking a vet to come out and check, many have portable ultrasound scanners these days.

If the swelling is leg round then it's probably an infection, does the horse have any cuts or scrapes? Even tiny ones that you might be hard pushed to find can get infected. So again, vet out, assess and probably antibiotics.

 

[Lady Jane]

I would get the vet oit, most have a mobile scanner. With an elderly horse such as yours, I would do as you are, but I would want to know what I'm dealing with

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My lad did a front tendon. I rehabbed him knowing his other tendon would probably go, and it did. Horse was heading for retirement anyway. He wasn't lame so I just made the decision to retire him and look after him as I always had, just not ride him. He is sound still now, 8 years on but he wouldstand up to any sort of work. He is happy in his job as companion to my ridden horse.

 

[Equi]

First port of call is the vet obviously. Listen to their advice and then decide what’s best for your horse.

 

[Hollylee1989]

I have my veterans legs scanned every year for an mot. The ultrasound scanners are fully portable as are xray machines