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A tendon may become injured or damaged when the horse puts more force onto its leg than the tendon can bear, or from a sharp turn or blunt trauma (known as a "bowed tendon"). [1] X Trustworthy Source American Association of Equine Practitioners National organization with a mission of improving the health and welfare of horses and providing resources to people who work with them. Go to source This may be due to accidentally positioning its leg with respect to the fluidity of the horse's movement in connection with it's weight. If your horse injures one of the multiple tendons in the lower limb, lameness will most likely be evident, with the degree of lameness often reflecting the degree of the injury. How do you know if this is indeed tendon damage or some other type of injury?
Steps
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Look at the leg. Some hints of tendon damage should be visible. [2] X Research source
- Is there any swelling in the lower portion of the leg (usually on the rear of the leg, but the front is a possibility too).
- Is the affected area warm, swollen and tender to the touch?
- Viewed from the side, the cannon bone area may actually resemble an archer’s bow instead of being straight.
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Call the vet. Initially, if you are sure that there is damage, cold water from the garden hose on the affected area for at least 15 minutes will help with the inflammation. [3] X Research source This is something that you can do AFTER you call your Vet and waiting for her/him to arrive. It's very important that you have your Vet examine the injury!Advertisement
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Know that veterinarians are able to diagnose torn or damaged tendons with the help of an ultrasound machine. These can be a great aid in determining the degree of the damage, location, and if any other structures have been affected. [4] X Research source
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Know that treatments can vary. Depending on the tendon involved and the severity, treatments can be different. A severely torn tendon or ligament can take up to six months to heal, along with stall rest and supportive leg wraps. [5] X Research source
- The majority of injuries result in a minor tear or strain, which are often resolved with stall rest, leg wraps and liniments.
- If the tear is major (completely separated), surgery may be required to attach the torn ends back together. This again, will require a lengthy time of wraps and stall rest.
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Realize that there may be a "splint." At times, an injury may cause a "splint", which is a separation or fracture of one of the splint bones (metacarpal/metatarsal one or three) in the canon bone region, on the side, more towards the rear. Again, these will heal with time and stall rest. [6] X Research source
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Be patient. Overall, tendon/ligament injuries take time and patience to heal.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat kind of wraps should I use? My mare was a 1.5/5 in the left rear, and she has an injury to the suspensory at the base.Madeline CoxCommunity AnswerI would use a standard gauze wrap with medium pressure, and applying muscle relaxing ointment under it is a good choice.
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QuestionHow do I assess pattern joint infection?Community AnswerCall your nearest vet (if applicable with horses) to come and figure out the problem. In the meantime, try wrapping the joint in a warm, wet rag. Make sure it is a clean rag.
Tips
- Follow your Vet's instructions, and don't try to hurry the healing. It's best to wait until the healing is complete, rather than push it and cause further damage.Thanks
Warnings
- When applying the bandages (per Vet's instructions), apply them standing to the side of the horse. Less chance of getting kicked if the horse is uncomfortable with the process! The horse will eventually become used to the bandaging and should stand well for you. [7] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://aaep.org/horsehealth/healing-bowed-tendon
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tendon-injuries-in-horses
- ↑ https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/torn-horse-tendon-the-long-road-back-from-this-equine-injury
- ↑ https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/torn-horse-tendon-the-long-road-back-from-this-equine-injury
- ↑ https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/tendon-injury-faqs
- ↑ https://www.equisearch.com/HorseJournal/splints-happen-16470
- ↑ https://www.equisearch.com/articles/how-bandage-your-horses-legs
About This Article
To assess tendon damage in a horse, carefully examine its leg for swelling, tenderness, or warmth, which could indicate that its tendon is damaged. Additionally, look at your horse's cannon bone area, which may look bowed instead of straight if there's tendon damage. If you think your horse has tendon damage, call your vet right away. They'll be able to examine the tendon using an ultrasound machine to see if anything is wrong with it. To learn how to treat a damaged horse tendon, scroll down.
