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 Veteran
Posts: 133
 
Location: SC Kansas | I need to pick a persons brain that knows a bit about tendon injuries and the recovery and running a horse with a previous tendon injury. There's a gelding that was offered to me that had pulled a tendon in his left front leg in 2012, the vet gave him a 50/50 chance of returning sound, the sellers did everything the vets said- rested, lightly worked,etc. , and had him re-checked and got the OK to begin working him and then took him to OSU and got the all clear to run. Is it possible for a horse to go back to full running strength after pulling a tendon? Are there more precautions when running a horse that had a pulled tendon? Is there a chance it would bother him in the future? I will have him vet checked, but I just want to see if there are any people out there that had a horse that pulled a tendon and it successfully recovered and was still able to run. I have videos of this horse running recently and if anyone would like to look at those I will gladly PM them. I just need some advice and stories from people that have ran or dealt with pulled tendons, as this horse does not seem to me lame in any way, runs great and seems sound and has had three different vets give him an all clear, this lady is a trustworthy, honest and upfront woman I just need my own second opinions. I LOVE the looks and attitude, personality of this gelding and his running style, i'm going to be getting a VERY good deal on him, i'm just very hesitant about his past tendon injury.. is that a good reason to be so hesitant because otherwise I really like this gelding.
Edited by bitgirl95 2014-02-14 2:04 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3514
  
| It wouldn't bother me if he is not lame. Just use something like equi flex sleeves or back on track on his legs. After running use a poultice or ice boots to cool his legs. Just be aware that you will have to do a little extra to keep him running |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 371
| Did he just pull it or did he tear it at all?
My mare had tears in her suspensory and her check. We've tried a lot of different shoes to help (1 or 2degree wedge was recommended to me), finally found ones that keep her 90% sound. My vet said it will always be maintenance. If I work her really hard one day, she might be a little sore the next. Lots of cold hosing after workouts, Thermaflex, IceTight, and magnetic boots!!!! It is very possible to keep them sound, just takes a little extra work and knowing how hard their tendons can handle being worked out.
Edited by HammerTurns 2014-02-14 6:25 AM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I agree depends if it tore of pulled. I would leg the horse up for at least 3 months prior to running. I would start on straight lines, on firm ground as deep ground is harder on soft tissue.
At the barrel race I would take my time warming him up too, lots of walking, bending before trotting, etc.
I may stretch the legs after the warm up depending on where the injury was.
I may use thermotex before the run, and game ready after
Haul with back on track wraps |
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: South MS | I have a mare that completely torn joint capsule of left rear fetlock - she was rested almost a year before we started riding her again
I always wrap her legs to ride no matter if I am trail riding or doing barrel work (my vet told my it wasnt worth it not to wrap the leg to try to prevent reinjury)
I keep her on a good joint supplement and keep hocks/stifles/chiro/teeth up to date so she never compensates for any other pain issues
I have an ice boot that I put on when I ride her hard - if I get any swelling I rub her down with mix of furozone/dex/dmso
I use lifewave patches and I have an Equinix torch I use on her regularly
I try not to do things that put extra pressure on her - IE she is a finished barrel horse and doesnt need to practice barrels alot - I mainly do straight line exercise to keep her in shape and try to avoid making her sit down hard or pivoting hard unless I have to |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| We have 2 horses that have come back from injured tendons. We all know injury is always a risk. I know these two have a greater chance of reinjuring themselves but so do the others. I take as many precautions as possible and try not to worry about it. Good luck with your decision. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Given everything you've said, I'd give him a chance. He sounds like a great fit for you, and given his low price, it would probably be worth it to do a little extra maintenance. I agree with those that said use Back On Track wraps. I use the quick wraps on my gelding and truly believe they have made a world of difference in his healing.
In April of last year, he severed two tendons in his hind leg. After he got his cast off, I starting using the BOT wraps every day and the vet has always been extremely pleased with his progress. I just got clearance to start riding him again about a month ago, so we're taking it VERY slow. So far he's done great, and I'm very optimistic that I'll get to run barrels on him again.
If he just pulled the tendon with no tear, and he's been cleared by several vets and has even been running barrels sound, then I don't think you'll have issues. Just keep an eye on it, and like someone else said, exercise on firm ground if you can to keep it strong.
Good luck! |
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Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: SC Kansas | Thanks for all your advice! Makes me feel a little more stable in my decision, I think if he clears our vet check I'm going to get him. I definitely think he'll be worth it! I'm going to look into getting some BOT wraps on him as well all the other suggestions that was suggested. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 168
Location: Wyoming | I have a friend that bought a horse with a tendon injury (that was the only way she could afford him) and he was young. She had to give him 6 months care then came back slow. She pro rodeoed on him for years (Houston, Calgary, etc) He is 24 years old and still running for a young girl and has been sound.
My good barrel horse tore part of his tendon last winter him here on the ranch. After 3 months stall rest and strict rehab I got to start running him again last summer. I use Nutrawound as a supplement and Runners Relief as a Politice. I have an extremely good performance horse specialist vet that helped us get back to running. |
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 It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | It would help to know exactly what you mean by "pulled" tendon. Did the horse have a full tear, partial tear, strain? I am assuming strain based off of the description. Also, which tendon was it? The flexors have a little different of a prognosis than suspensories.
The bottom line with tendons is that they will never heal back to their full strength (right now there has been a lot of work put into finding treatments that change this, but so far nothing has been found that works wonders in this department). This basically means it is easier for the horse to re-injure it in the future.
All in all purchasing a horse with a previous tendon injury is always going to be a risk-- it is very likely for them to re-injure in the future just based off of the fact that the healed tendon fibers are going to be weaker. However, there are many many horses out there with previous injuries that do well.
For me if it was a good enough deal I would probably go for it (however, I would also wonder--if it indeed is a "deal"--why are they letting the horse go for cheap and it would make me think it had something to do with the injury). I would probably maintain this horse a little different--be a little more adament about icing and wrapping after every ride and also keep the horse on a very good and consistent exercise schedule.
I do have quite a few research articles that talk about tendon injuries, prognosis and all of this stuff in detail if you are interested. They were readings for an equine performance horse medicine class I am in. They are somewhat hard reads but there is a lot of good info there. If you'd like it I could get them to you just let me know!
Hope this helped! Good luck!
Edited by barrelracingchick16 2014-02-14 6:02 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| barrelracingchick16 - 2014-02-14 5:59 PM
   It would help to know exactly what you mean by "pulled" tendon. Did the horse have a full tear, partial tear, strain? I am assuming strain based off of the description. Also, which tendon was it?  The flexors have a little different of a prognosis than suspensories.
     The bottom line with tendons is that they will never heal back to their full strength (right now there has been a lot of work put into finding treatments that change this, but so far nothing has been found that works wonders in this department). This basically means it is easier for the horse to re-injure it in the future.
    All in all purchasing a horse with a previous tendon injury is always going to be a risk-- it is very likely for them to re-injure in the future just based off of the fact that the healed tendon fibers are going to be weaker. However, there are many many horses out there with previous injuries that do well.Â
    For me if it was a good enough deal I would probably go for it (however, I would also wonder--if it indeed is a "deal"--why are they letting the horse go for cheap and it would make me think it had something to do with the injury). I would probably maintain this horse a little different--be a little more adament about icing and wrapping after every ride and also keep the horse on a very good and consistent exercise schedule.
       I do have quite a few research articles that talk about tendon injuries, prognosis and all of this stuff in detail if you are interested. They were readings for an equine performance horse medicine class I am in. They are somewhat hard reads but there is a lot of good info there. If you'd like it I could get them to you just let me know!
     Hope this helped! Good luck! Â
I thought stem cell therapy has been proven to reduce scar tissue and is the gold star treatment for torn tendons, and ligaments. |
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It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | cheryl makofka - 2014-02-14 6:04 PM barrelracingchick16 - 2014-02-14 5:59 PM It would help to know exactly what you mean by "pulled" tendon. Did the horse have a full tear, partial tear, strain? I am assuming strain based off of the description. Also, which tendon was it? The flexors have a little different of a prognosis than suspensories.
The bottom line with tendons is that they will never heal back to their full strength (right now there has been a lot of work put into finding treatments that change this, but so far nothing has been found that works wonders in this department). This basically means it is easier for the horse to re-injure it in the future.
All in all purchasing a horse with a previous tendon injury is always going to be a risk-- it is very likely for them to re-injure in the future just based off of the fact that the healed tendon fibers are going to be weaker. However, there are many many horses out there with previous injuries that do well.
For me if it was a good enough deal I would probably go for it (however, I would also wonder--if it indeed is a "deal"--why are they letting the horse go for cheap and it would make me think it had something to do with the injury). I would probably maintain this horse a little different--be a little more adament about icing and wrapping after every ride and also keep the horse on a very good and consistent exercise schedule.
I do have quite a few research articles that talk about tendon injuries, prognosis and all of this stuff in detail if you are interested. They were readings for an equine performance horse medicine class I am in. They are somewhat hard reads but there is a lot of good info there. If you'd like it I could get them to you just let me know!
Hope this helped! Good luck! I thought stem cell therapy has been proven to reduce scar tissue and is the gold star treatment for torn tendons, and ligaments.
Stem cell treatments have shown to be beneficial for sure but there is nothing out there at this time that will heal a tendon back to its original strength. |
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 Regular
Posts: 98
| My guy bowed a tendon 7 yes ago,he was off about 6 months and there is a hard knot on the back of his tendon but he has not had any issues since. I used to be paranoid about it but after so many years I never give it a thought anymore....... |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | If you are willing to do all the extra maintenance and take all the extra precautions, then it may be a good enough deal for you. For me personally, after dealing with it before, I would not be willing to take the risk. You never have peace of mind when you are riding a horse coming back from an injury like this. Every little bobble, trip, and hiccup in your run your mind goes straight to their injury. Like already mentioned, that leg is now weaker, it will never return to full strength, therefore easier to reinjure.
I know there are plenty of horses that are running fine after this type of injury, but there are plenty that are not. My mare was also cleared to run again, after following all vets instructions to a T. She never returned to the caliber she was, and she eventually reinjured it. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 139
Location: where my horse takes me | I owned a mare that tore her deep digital in her right front. I spent several thousand on hopeful treatments and maintenance. I had her back sound 3 different times over 3 years...sound enough to run...and she would re-injure on her own (in pasture, etc). I did get to run her once and 2 weeks later she had re-tore in a different spot on the tendon. I was lucky enough (well I guess you could say that) to sell her back to her previous owner as a broodmare for more than she was worth as a broodmare. Her plan is to still run her and I wish her luck.
My advice would be to go for it if and only if your willing to put time, money, and maintenance into the horse AND don't get your feelings hurt if the horse get re-injured after all this. Have the horse vetted and take the vets advice. The original vet that I saw for my mare told me she would be pasture sound and trail riding sound and of course, breeding and 3 years later she was right.
Good luck!
Edited by 6WorldChamp 2014-02-15 2:37 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | We have a heading horse that pulled a front tendon and he spent a long time at osu in rehab. He is sound and makes rodeo runs today. Get advice from those who treated the injury. Our gelding was prescribed 3 degree wedge shoes for life. They help him even while at rest or play. We always use properly applied wraps even when practicing. Apply cold water before removing his leg protection after riding. Mostly use common sense when riding don't ride on trashy ground or over work. Go to the team who diagnosed his injury and get advice on how to best manage his specific injury.
To answer to your question - yes with proper care an injured horse can be managed and cared for to go on have a productive life. |
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Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: SC Kansas | Thanks for all your replies! I think i'm going to get him vet checked out and bring him home if he passes. I also am going to call all the vets he has gone too and talk more in depth with them as well. I know it will be more maintenance and I'm okay with that so hopefully if everything goes well I can bring this guy home! |
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