Tendon Issues - In or Out..?

[Meandtheboys]

I would like peoples opinions on whether I should have my boy on box rest or turn away.

He is 17:3hh and pretty sensible outside and I have access to a small barn as a stable on straw.

I would prefer the turnout option but the only issue I have is that the field is hilly, just wondered if this will prevent tendon injury from healing.

I am after advice as vets opinions differ and I would like to know what other people do, its his off fore leg and he has no heat or swelling - just a small pulse below the knee to the inside of the leg.

We believe he fell in the field, slipping forwards and has a strain ( will be x-raying if no improvement over the next month - vets feel he just needs time to repair.

He is on no medication and although lame it is minimal 2/10th's max

Thoughts please................

 

[dizzyf]

WE kept our boy in when he had a tendon injury, complete box rest at first (he then went to hydro spa). When he was first turned out he was kept bandaged, sedated & put in a small pen.

Especially as your turn out is on a hill I would think twice about turning him out, even though he is usually calm

 

[NicoleS_007]

My friends horse done this last year but there was also some heat in the leg. He was put on box rest and was sound after 3-4 weeks

 

[Meandtheboys]

Thank-you both for your responses, I will bring him in tomorrow for a few weeks.

Vets have such differing opinions and I don't think either of them are wrong but the hill issue has always been my biggest concern.

 

[riding_high]

my horse did his tendon before i bought him and he was kept on box rest for 5 months then allowed to be walked in hand for a few weeks before being turned out in a small paddock.
he has had a tear to his DDFT and couldn't live in because of he stands a big risk of getting lymphangitis, the vet even said it's better he lives out as it's less risk to him. so he has spent all year out and is now back to being ridden a few times a week.
he was kept in a small paddock though.

 

[huntley]

I would turn him out if that is what he is used to. It may take a little longer to heal, but Dr. Green is a wonderful thing. I think you can get more problems by keeping them in, not least when you do turn them out again. I have known heavily doped horses go mad when either being lead out or turned out after box rest.

 

[Tnavas]

Definately box rest as a hilly paddock would not be good for the healing of the tendon.

 

[paulineh]

is there any way in which you can make a small area in front of the stable so he can move around a bit without damaging himself.

 

[millitiger]

definitely in for a tendon injury.

have you had a scan done to determine the damage?

 

[soloequestrian]

Out - Wolffs Law 'Structures develop (read 'heal') according to how they are used.' Box resting a tendon will encourage it to heal well enough to cope with standing still - is that what you want the horse to be doing?