Tendon strain.

L

lucy007

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My tb mare has recently strained a front tendon in the field. Most likely superficial flexor. Vet is scanning it on tuesday.

What I am after really is other peoples experiences of this type of injury. Good and bad welcome.
 
My mare did the same back in january (to a moderate-severe degree) and it has been a long road, with setbacks due to the fact that I am on a livery yard and therefore have little control over the environment which can make a big difference.

My mare had 12 weeks box rest followed by 12 weeks part pen rest-part box rest with walking in-hand for the last 6 weeks of this phase.

However, each case is different, therefore your vet needs to find out the extent of the damage and this will be revealed by the scan. Until then I would recommend cold-hosing the leg for 10mins at least twice a day.

Rest and controlled exercise are crucial factors. My mare was great on the initial 3 months box rest but I had problems when she went out on pen rest as she was frequently wound up by the comings and goings of the horses in the adjoining paddocks (I had no control over the location of her pen) and I had to turn her out at night and keep her in during the day to keep her calm and stop her trying to run around.

However, without the pen rest, walking in-hand would have been a nightmare! By trial and error I found that the best routine for her was: turn out in pen at night, walk in-hand or ride early morning, then stable for the day.

If you have your horse at home then you have a big advantage, but it is not easy and tendons take a long time to heal. Much depends on the extent of the injury and how it is managed in the early stages. Don't be tempted to rush it at any stage. I would recommend getting hold of a copy of The Bowed Tendon Book by Tom Ivers.

Keep us posted on the scan results. Good luck. You might be lucky - it might be a mild case, but - it will still need lots of care and patience to make the best of it.
 
Try Photonic Red Light Therapy as part of the treatment plan your vet recommends.
It helps stimulate blood flow and aids in cellular healing.

I use it to manage my TB's suspensories. He damaged his front right, quite low down twice when he was racing. Unfortunately I didn't have him when he was injured so I don't know how he was rehabilitated but he hasn't had any problems with it since I have had him.

I use cold hosing, magnetic boots and my red light torch in conjunction with Bowen Therapy, my saddle fitter and my farrier to ensure my horse isn't loading any joints and ligaments/tendons/muscles when he is being worked.
 
Also known as cold laser, you can buy the red light units on eBay. It has been extremely effective in reducing swelling in two injuries for me horse. The days I didn't use it, the swelling g increased.
 
Hi all, thankyou for replies.

Definately some things worth more looking into there.

I have been iceing rather than hosing 2/3 times per day as my vet said that hosing wasnt really cold enough. With a stroll up the drive and back 2/3times per day aswell, and bandaged the rest of the time atm.

Horses not at home a such, although I rent a field/yard and have only my own horses/ponies on it so am in a position to manage box/paddock rest how I wish.

Vet is scanning tomorrow afternoon, so will have more of an idea of what sort of rehab plan we will need to follow after that.

Will keep you posted with results of scan, and will most probably have more questions too.

Thanks again. L
 
Hi all.

Well scan results are in, and couldn't really have been more positive.

The surperfical flexor which we feared was damaged appears normal on the scan, and the swelling in this area seems to be only in the layers of the skin and not involving the tendon.

She has 'minor disruption' to the check ligament, but the site for this is above the current swelling.

I think both the vet and I were surprised by this as the presentation of lameness and swelling suggested something much more serious.

The way forward is 5 more weeks box rest with a walk up the drive and back twice a day. Then onto paddock/field rest for 3mths.

After 3mths, trot up and if sound begin walk exercise.

I couldn't really have hoped for a better result as had feared a severe injury, and prognosis for return to 'almost' 100% is good.
 
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