Worried Badger may have some sort of Tendon/ligament damage.. thoughts?

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Starbucks

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Went hunting yesterday and although we jumped a fair bit and had some scrambles through some horrible ditches, the ground was reasonable and he didn't have massively hard day. Checked him over and put him to bed last night - all good.

This morning he had a fairly large puffy lump about 1/3 of the way down his cannon bone on the outside (on the tendony bit not the boney bit) There was some heat but not loads. Anyway he wasn't lame at all so I put him out as usual. This evening it had gone down a lot but still some swelling and a little warm but not hot. I've put some cooling gel and bandaged it tonight.

Do you think this sounds like tendon damage or just a knock?? I'm planning to see how he gets on over the next couple of days and see how he gets on... if it doesn't go down I'll get the vet out.. Am I doing the right thing or not??
 
I always think better safe than sorry, if I'm not sure - A vet call out to say 'Nah, its OK, don't worry' isn't that expensive in the scheme of things (just not having a night or two out on the town)

Having had one who HAS had tendon sheath damage, I am so glad I caught it early as she is fit, well & sound again after a strict rehab programme.
 
I don't have that much experience with tendon injuries (thankfully!) but I think what you're doing sounds fine - if it had gone down after a day in the field then that mnust be a good thing surely?

I woudl ditto the above about the thorn though :)
 
Thanks people. I was convinced it was something serious earlier but I'm encouraged by the fact it's gone down loads. I'm know ideal thing is to get vet out but I'm not doing anything that will cause further damage so think I'll wait a day or so and see if it goes down..

Thorns - I've had a good check and can't find anything so don't think it's that..
 
heya bronte had a swelling in her tendon sheath a week ago no damage to tendons or ligaments (had her scanned just to make sure) and the vet medicated her leg with some steroid injection next day all swelling gone just got to hold out till thursday and bring her back to full work and hopefully some hunting.

just might be worth a shot going down the same route if the swelling doesnt go down very quickly vet said this is like a fast forward recovery and it certainly seems it
 
If there's any chance it may be tendon damage (and it sounds like it could possibly be) you must treat it as such until you're sure it isnt (eg get it scanned next week)

The only way to treat effectively is cold treatment to take the inflammation down and box rest. Cooling gel doesnt do anything (or virtually nothing anyway) so cold hosing/ icing is much more appropriate.

Fingers crossed it's nothing
 
Starbucks said:
Thanks - glad your horse is ok! Will see what it looks like tomorrow..
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thanks to you too lol as above would defo recommend cold hosing at least twice a day really helps bring inflamation down and i have been bandaging over night aswell dont know if that helped but might be worth a shot finders toes and eyes crossed no damage done xx
 
Whatever it is, I think to do the "cold" treatment first, i.e. cold hosing, or coolpack.
If it is tendon damage then you have done the right thing and getting the inflamation down.
If it is a bruise, it will help. If it is an infection the cold won't do any harm. I think for this sort of thing, get the vet. If he is fine, then that is resassurance, if not then you can start the correct treatment straight away.

Mine had a puffy, hot leg, which I thought was an infection, but I got the vet out to take a look just in case.
 
Feeling like I definitely think it’s a tendon today.. keeping him in now and hosing/bandaging.. gonna take him in for a scan although vet gonna call and let me know when is best to take him…
 
Keep it as cold as possible. The first few days after doing a tendon it is imperative to keep it as cold as possible, as the degeneration can carry on for the first couple of days. By keeping it cold, you slow down the enzyme damage being done. Ice boots and cold hosing as regularly as possible. Fingers crossed for you :)
 
Thanks guys. I’m finding it a bit frustrating because I’m stuck at work so can’t really do that much…

His leg is not actually that hot at all – are they normally really hot?
 
It’s really stressing me out!! Not used to a) having things wrong with my horse and b) having to deal with it!! I’m so useless!! Feel a bit better now I have a plan of action though. Think I’m just wanting someone to say it doesn’t sound like a tendon but I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. Poor boy. I don’t think it’s hurting him much though so that’s good..

Feel really guilty cos mum has looked after him for years and he’s been fine, then I look after him and he goes and does a tendon on the 3rd day out!!! I just don’t understand it because if anything he’s fitter this year than he has been before.. We need jump some quite big stuff though and Badger jumped massive over a couple of drop hedges and landed really steep – maybe that’s what’s done it?

Sorry I’m rambling… just feeling a little blue!
 
Just spoke to the vet – she doesn’t think it sounds like Tendon damage because she says she doesn’t think it would have gone down in the field.. says more likely he’s knocked himself or got beginnings of an infection.. Anyway she’s coming at 4.30.. fingers crossed!!
 
dont worry from the sound of it you have done everything right which meens a speedy recovery. like you said if anything gg is fitter than before hasnt hurt himself before so why not tackle those big fences (certainly wish i had the guts). would be interesting to see if it just some swelling within the tendon sheath like bronte had which is caused by a knock/ funny step in the field. you could try the steroid injection and see if it works as well as it did for me i seriously could see results from the next morning

sending good vibes to you and your horse
 
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