Would tendon boots help?

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popsicle

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Poppy has a re-occuring tendon sheath problem on her back leg, which looks like big windgalls. She was lame with it about a year ago and had 4 weeks off, she was lame again last week with it and although seemingly sound within days, we are resting her for a few weeks. Would tendon boots help this and if so, should we only put them on for riding, or also in the field. Or would you use something else?
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Tendon boots offer no real support so wouldn't do anything (particularly on a back leg). Have you had it scanned as it may not have healed properly?

My TB had an inflamed tendon sheath in January and had over 3 months on box rest with controlled exercise - it took almost 6 months before we started jumping again. He was severely lame for a few days and then sound but in my experience it takes seemingly forever to heal inside and lots of strengthening work. I had him re-scanned before we started doing anything other then walk and trot for peace of mind.

My vet advised exercise bandages which I used religiously whilst riding until we had the all clear. I know some people believe that they do very little but they gave me a little peace of mind.
 
I agree with cazzah, I would use exercise bandages, as I find them quite supportive of the leg. If she is only out in the field for a couple of hours, then you can leave the bandages on, but you'll need to wash them every few days when they get dirty, or they can irritate the horses legs. If you do do this, you have to bandage both back legs, I would personally bandage all four, and if you don't know how to bandage, I would ask someone to show me first, as if done wrong, they can slip down and do more damage then good, especially if they become tightened round the ankle, and can make them lame.

I also agree with cazzah; if she keeps coming up lame, then although bandages will help, they won't prevent the lameness. I would get advice off my vet and take bringing her back into work really slowly so that the muscle gets built up and heals properly.
 
tendon boots only protect the horse from striking into itself from behind.

bandages are also useless for supporting the legs and could actually do more damage as they will be heating the legs.

i would try magnetic boots in the stable/field to reduce the swelling.
 
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