ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Bowed Tendons

Re: Bowed Tendons

Kathy Myers (kathy@nvolve.com)
Thu, 17 Jul 1997 09:21:57 -0700

The good news is that with proper management you can probably
expect a complete recovery with no lasting effects. :)
However, this is what UC Davis has said about healing tendons:

Take her out of the pasture NOW! Be patient...

1) 8 - 12 weeks complete stall and SMALL paddock rest.

2) After 8 weeks, the tendon is ready to "go back to light work" when
the horse is sound AND there is no pain on pinching.

3) Start back slow walking 10 minutes a day completely flat... no hills...
4 days per week. Every week or two increase this by 5 minutes a day, as
long as there is no pain on pinching. When you are up to walking for 1
hour per day 4 days per week, start in with 5 minutes of trotting. But
only if there is no pain on pinching and the horse is completely sound.

If there is pain / unsoundness go back to complete rest, square 1
and start over.

If there is only tendon injury and the horse is doing fine, my understanding
is you can ride the horse as well as hand walking, but check with your vet
first. May be different for different tendons.

The completely flat ground is very important.

When the horse is up to unlimited trotting without lameness or pain on
pinching the tendon, then you can slowly add cantering and hills back
in and pasture turnout. At this point the tendon should be healed and
you are back to carefull Long Slow conditioning.

You might want to check with a good farrier about shoeing... make sure
she's being shod right. Landing flat now and proper foot care is more
important than ever right now.

You have what sounds like a wonderful young horse that will give you
lots of miles if this is delt with carefully now. Otherwise, the
injury will plague lameness for many years to come. Chances are you
just started a bit too much a bit too fast. Happens to us all. The
worst is when you end up convincing a friend to ride with you and
*her* horse goes lame...

Tendon injuries are a pain, but take the time now and it will be a much

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