Tendon injury :(

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Mollyy

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My pony came in very lame about 2 months ago, his left foreleg was hugely swollen and hot. We took him for a scan and the vet said his deep flexor tendon was simply thickened and not damaged, they advised 2 months box rest.
After 2 months we were able to turn him out in a small paddock, and did so for the first time last this saturday (14th). As you can imagine he went slightly ballistic! But obvoiusly he was going to and there was no way of avoiding this, but his leg is up again and I think he is lame, altough I haven't trotted him up, I've just seen him in the field. I meant to et on him and walk him around the school this weekebd but I'm reluctant to do so if he's lame.
What do you think I should do?
I'm terrified he's made it worse! :S
 
Deep breath. Have a little look at him later and see what you think. So often it's one step forward, two back with tendons.

Don't ride him if you think he's lame. And if you think he's sound only ride him on a hard surface at walk - definately not the school.

And as ever, if in doubt, ring the vet.
 
if it's hot again, or puffy, ice it for 10-20 mins at a time, or cold hose it, and call the vet.
there are ways of avoiding the "going mad" thing, including giving them sedalin before turning out... doesn't always work, but worth a try next time.
tendons need tons of time and slow, controlled exercise. this is really really important.
if the leg isn't at all hot or puffy, walking (on roads is ideal, on a deep/moving surface is not ideal) would be the next thing to do... but check with your vet, obviously. and if you think he might go a bit loopy the first time you sit on him, talk to the vet about giving him some sedative!
 
I echo everything AmyMay and kerilli have said - good, sound adivce. Cold hosing or icing will be beneficial if he has indeed damaged the tendon again, and don't ride if he's not sound in case there is a proper tear in the tendon now (which takes a year or more to heal).

Ring your vet - that's what they're there for. Mine is probably fed up of hearing from me, but it makes it a LOT easier to catch a problem early on if vet thinks there is going to be one, and to ensure I am doing the right thing!
 
Hi I would contact your vet for some advice, once you have a diagnosis you can treat/ cure. I am a great beliver in cold hoseing, and try some leg ice. This worked wonders for an old mare of mine who had had tendon injuries in the past. With most of these leg ices you dont have to bandage but i found it worked better if i did. Is there anywhere you can turn out in a very small paddock ideally with good solid fencing.

I had a horse who broke his splint bone and was box rested for 7 1/2 months. He was turned out in a small paddock under sedation for the first few days. I left a headcollar on him with a bit of rope attached to it, so i could grab him if needs be. I will admit it was a scary situation for the first 4 days or so until he became accustomed to being out again. Maybe turning out with tendon boots on would offer some protection for the initial zipping about.

Once the horse is able to i would totally reccommend road work. Lots of slow steady walking and building up to some slow trotting has strengthened many of our pointers and eventers legs, but remember slow and steady dont hammer the horse down the tarmac. I am not sure but does salt water i.e. the sea help tendons to tighten. A paddle in the shallows might help once his on the mend.

Hope he gets better soon
 
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Maybe turning out with tendon boots on would offer some protection for the initial zipping about.

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Sorry I disagree, there is no evidence to show that any type of boot yet designed actually supports the tendons.

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Once the horse is able to i would totally reccommend road work. Lots of slow steady walking and building up to some slow trotting has strengthened many of our pointers and eventers legs, but remember slow and steady dont hammer the horse down the tarmac.

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But ONLY EVER on your vet's advice. My horse's injury is quite bad, so I have to spend two months in-hand in walk, then up to four more months walking with me riding. This programme has been devised in conjunction with my vet and I would STRONGLY recommend OP talks to her vet before doing anything (as it seems she has, from what she has said - but really vet needs to be updated on the situation first.

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I am not sure but does salt water i.e. the sea help tendons to tighten. A paddle in the shallows might help once his on the mend.

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This would be classed as cold therapy, which is only really beneficial within the first two weeks of injury. However there's probably no harm in carrying it on after that (it's just boring!)

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After intitial rest period I turn mine out in about 5 interlocking restricted paddocks so he can move and graze but not canter or go loopy.This has helped keep my tb sane and and he is much happier out grazing this is with vets permission.He has recovered from two injuries one of which was tendon and is now back in the same paddocks for another ligament injury arghhhhhhhh good luck
 
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