5 ways to prevent TENDON INJURIES

Follow a few simple guidelines to keep these critical leg structures safe.

Tendon injuries take a long time to heal and often leave a horse at risk for re-injury. It’s far better to prevent them in the first place. Fortunately, commonsense management goes a long way toward reducing your horse’s risk of tendon injuries ---and preserving the health of his entire musculoskeletal system. Here are five steps you can take to protect your horse’s tendons.

1. Examine your horse’s legs daily.

The more familiar you are with the contours and characteristics of your horse’s lower limbs, the more likely you will be able to recognize slight changes in them that may indicate trouble. Even minor heat, swelling or tenderness is cause for further investigation. Tendon strains do not always initially lead to lameness, so don’t assume that because your horse isn’t limping the changes you see are inconsequential.

2. Pay attention to footing.

Slick, deep or inconsistent footing can overstress a tendon with a single step. Of course, you can’t always ride on ideal surfaces, but when you’re not sure about the terrain, switch to a slower gait and pay attention to your horse’s reaction---he’s likely to know what speed he can handle. Also remember that inconsistent footing---which changes from shallow to deep and back, for instance--can be especially treacherous.

3. Maintain hoof health.

Regular hoof care, including thoughtful trimming and shoeing, will protect the health of your horse’s tendons.

Hoof imbalances can lead to tendon injuries by increasing strain on leg structures beyond their intended load. For instance, a horse with long toes and low heels will put increased pressure on his superficial digital flexor tendon. Horses with conformation faults are even more vulnerable to such imbalances. Work with your farrier to develop a schedule that suits your horse’s needs and stick to it.

4. Keep him fit.

Many injuries occur when a horse’s body is pushed beyond its limits. Tendons aren’t directly strengthened by work, but muscles and bones are, improving the resilience of the entire musculoskeletal system. Develop a conditioning program based on your horse’s current fitness level and the level of work you’d like him to do regularly. Make the program progressive ---increasing the speed or the length of the work incrementally, but never at the same time---and consistent. Consult with your veterinarian if you need guidance.

5. Don’t overwork him.

Even fit horses can become tired, and exhaustion increases the risk of tendon injury. If your horse ever seems to be struggling to maintain his pace or balance during a ride, slow down and let him recover. You need to push a horse a bit to improve his fitness and skills, but pushing him too hard invites a disastrous misstep.