turn out boots to support tendons

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Janetterose

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My Tb tends to run about a lot in the field and hurt his tendons a couple of weeks ago. After a few days box rest and cold treatments his leg got better but it happened again today. Anyone got any suggestions for best thing to put on for turn out to support his leg
 
Sedation? Nothing really truly supports the tendons anyway (apart from maybe those odd-looking Dalmar boots, although they're not commercially available yet) - if your horse is going to run around the only way of stopping him hurting himself is to stop him running around.
Believe me I know, my horse wrote herself off completely on Sunday night.
 
Ones like the Sportabac boots or the Equilibrium ones are for keeping legs clean and for stopping them cutting themselves. You can't expect a flimsy bit of material wrapped round the outside of the leg to support 500kg (average) of horseflesh bearing down on a flimsy bit of tendon inside the horse's leg. Add all the forces of movement... not a chance. If it makes you feel better then stick some sport wraps or bandages on, but please be aware that these heat up the legs (and tendons) and make them more susceptible to damage. If you have to put anything on, ensure they are at least vaguely breathable.
IF, on the other hand, I read your initial post incorrectly and what your horse is actually doing is striking into the backs of his front tendons with his hind toes, then you need boots with a STRONG tendon guard down the back. These don't offer any support but do offer protection from strike injuries.
 
Strongly agree with Silmarillion.

To support the tendon you'd need to take force off it and this requires lifting a significant amount of weight off them. Not possible!!
 
Unf there is no boot to 'support' tendons...they will only protect from a strike at best...not provide support.
I used to use Dalmar boots...I did before they became available over here..after my vet at the time found out about them.
Are u sure the tendon isn't still sore from the first time round of running about..rather then it being a new soreness?
Does your horse run round all day or is it when initially put out? maybe think of a calmer in breakfast feed???
 
no boot or bandage will support the tendons, unfortunately... well, the new dalmar one will, but that's not going to be available till next year.
rest is the only thing, honestly. then gentle controlled exercise to rebuild the strength.
or, ideally, turn out in a small concrete area or crew yard, he won't charge about or have fun cos he'll be worried about slipping, he can wander around, eat and sleep, which is perfect.
 
I went to a vet lecture where this was mentioned & the lecturing vets said that there are no boots that support tendons. If you need tendon support then your horse in in a serious condition indeed.

You can put turnout boots on to stop your horse kicking or brushing himself but I'm afraid there is little that can be done to stop a horse injuring himself in the field from charging around.

I know one horse that injured himself as a 4 year old from charging around & abruptly stopping & throughout his life he keeps re injuring his legs time & time again doing the same thing. There is little you can do really to stop this....sorry
frown.gif
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Just a question, but what about the professional choice SMB boots?

I was advised to use some form of boot when my pony developed windgalls the size of eggs on all four legs. Turned out to be the result of clover rich grazing....left that yard rather quickly. I was also warned about over use of boots, either boot at night or during the day but not both as over use will weaken tendons thus making injury more prevalent.

Any thoughts?
 
SMBs do not support the tendons.
there is a long and detailed report of the results of an in vitro trial (i.e. using horse cadaver legs) with bandages, SMBs, no protection, and the new Dalmar Tendon Support Boots online somewhere. the Dalmar ones (which are quite amazing but not on the open market till next summer) were the only ones that actually supported... but when you see them, you'll see why... they act like an external brace for the fetlock joint, basically, preventing hyperextension. this is them:
http://www.simviation.com/dalmar/treatment.htm
bandages and boots do not support the tendons, it's a physical impossibility for a bit of fabric, whether it's elasticated or wound around the leg or whatever, to actually help support half a tonne of horse, especially at speed...
there is quite a lot of research suggesting that boots have a detrimental effect on the tendons and ligaments. firstly, they heat them up, in some cases to 'cooking' temperatures that might lead to tendon break-down. i went to a lecture where it was said that foals' tendons have a far higher temperature tolerance (because of the temperature in the womb) than mature horses'.
they also stop the shockwaves from the foot hitting the floor from dissipating as they would with a 'naked' leg. a 'naked' leg would of course be air-cooled as well...
 
Dalmar boots were available at Badminton and are available by calling Dalmar direct, I have over 30 horses and turnout in the Dalmar racing boot as well as use these on a daily basis instead of neoprene brushing boots which make the legs ( and thererfore tendons ) very hot.

They also have anti strike protection at the back . No boot will offer support to the tendons.
 
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