Vet care
Avoiding tendon damage • Treating tendon injuries • How to spot the tell-tale signs of problems
QWhat’s the best way to prevent tendon injuries? With summer here and harder ground I’m worried that I might jar my horse’s legs when out hacking. Daisy Hill, Leeds
Gil says... As with all injuries, prevention is better (and cheaper) than cure, and this starts with the help of a good farrier, as a well-balanced foot will make a horse less vulnerable to tendon problems.
Next pay close attention to your horse’s warm up and cool down routines. Tendons are not standalone structures, but rather the means by which muscles attach to bone, so the state of the muscles has a major impact on the demands made on the tendons. If your horse’s muscles aren’t properly warmed up before exercise, this will put excessive strain on the tendons, while if his muscles aren’t allowed to cool down after exercise, you risk him feeling stiff and sore the next day, predisposing the tendons to injury. Finally, it’s vital that you build up your horse’s fitness gradually. A sensible fitness regime will minimise tired muscles and, in turn, reduce the risk of tendon problems.