Lph88311 - 2016-06-03 10:48 AM We had a horse that would get sore in his hamstrings. You could always tell when he was sore because he didn't want to back up or really set on his hind end and work (cutting horse). The vet would shockwave him a couple times a year, we kept him in good shape and it seemed to work. I would definitely check with your vet, but that may be a treatment option you can ask about. Good Luck!

Carbon Copy - 2016-06-03 11:03 AM I would not run him until it's healed.  If it hurts him as much as it hurts a human, definetly no. 

FLITASTIC - 2016-06-03 11:22 AM Not much help here but something to consider. Few months ago my Big Bay horse hurt his left shoulder. Was sore on it for months and vet said shoulders can just take a long time ( Up to a year) to heal. I was supposed to continue exercise so the muscles didn't tighten as they healed. He always seemed to walk out of his soreness as soon as his muscles warmed up. I started my colt on Magnesium for muscle soreness and it helped SO MUCH within a couple days that I started this bay horse on 5,000mg daily of magnesium and sure enough, he is going almost 100% sound now! He used to be pretty sore taking him out of his pen or if he had been sitting. The Magnesium sure helped a LOT. Wondering if a little extra for your horse might help that Hamstring??? Its dirt cheap to feed and any they don't use they excrete out anyway.

powerstroke power - 2016-06-03 12:36 PM we just had a small horse pull a hamstring...took about 3 months to heal. If you run a horse sore, they may compensate and make something else hurt. Could also develope some arena issues. I'd let it heal...i know it's a bad time of year to give up some showing. Luckily our injury was in December. Seem better by end of January. Started riding and she was sore again. Healed by end of March. Shockwave was recommed to us..but time had the same effect for us. You may try shockwave to speed up your process. good luck with your decision.

KatieMac88 - 2016-06-03 9:24 AM


That's a great idea Flitastic! Where do you buy the magnesium at?

grinandbareit - 2016-06-04 1:20 AM In my opinion, hamstring injuries are often misdiagnosed as hock or stifle injuries and usually overlooked by a majority of vets. A hamstring injury can go from mild to severe very quickly... if it were my horse I'd ice it for a week if possible... not an easy task, but doable none the less. Then a short walk/trot, followed by LOTS of stretching. If you have ever pulled a hamstring you can guess what your horse may be feeling. If you haven't, then take it from me, it hurts like heck! If it is a mild pull and you continue to use him you WILL make it worse. The problem with bad pulls or tears is that they may always give him issues, so you definitely want to make sure it is 100% before running him or doing too much while exercising him. I'd ice it, stretch it at least a couple of times daily and turn him out for 30 days. It may not be the suggestion you wanted to hear, but great advice none the less. Good luck!

KatieMac88 - 2016-06-04 12:02 PM


Thank you for the excellent advise! I iced it this morning. Should I be hand walking/trotting him or riding him at a walk/trot? I stretch him before I run, but just curious, how long do you hold the stretches?

grinandbareit - 2016-06-04 12:43 PM What applies to our muscles generally applies to our horse's muscles as well. Since this is a mild injury I would treat it much as you would your own hamstring. Since it is not a super fresh injury you can probably start with some stretching, which is really important in order to keep that muscle flexible and working correctly. I would probably walk him for about 5 minutes then, standing next to him and facing his rear leg, hold his leg with one hand just above the hock and the other hand at the pastern, gently pull the foot forward toward his front foot. Don't over stretch it, but stretch it enough to feel a little resistance. I usually hold that for about 8 seconds, then release and repeat 3 or 4 times. I would do this a few times a day until you can stretch that leg, without much resistance, at least 1/2 way to his front cannon bone. Be sure to do both sides so you keep him nice and balanced. I have a big magnetic roller that I use on my horse's hamstrings and across their rump to help keep things loose and elastic. You can use a tennis ball in the palm of your hand and just roll it up and down those hamstrings and over the top of the rump and all over the hip. My hubby says it isn't fair at all that he doesn't get that treatment. :) I actually do this all the time on my horses. Stretching helps to prevent injury to them just like it helps prevent injury to us during sports and exercise. I would definitely keep him in a place he can move around, pasture, paddock, run. Stalling can make those muscle injuries get stiff and sore, which is no fun at all. Good luck!