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Discover the expert in you.
A horse that appears to have a "sprained ankle" typically has suffered some type of tendon or ligament injury on the lower part of the leg. These injuries can range from mild to severe. A horse that has been hurt may exhibit a variety of symptoms.
Tendon injuries are a leading cause of lameness in horses. The long term repercussions of a tendon injury can affect a horse's soundness for years after the original injury. Tendon injuries can be treated in a variety of ways, and anyone looking to treat their horse's tendon injury with herbal remedies or supplements has countless options to choose from. Though herbal supplements are not always scientifically or medically proven to work, some people claim to have had great success treating equine tendon injuries with herbal treatments and products
On the back of a horse's lower leg is the superficial flexor tendon. When that tendon's fibers tear, that is called bowed tendon. Depending on the size and extent of the injury, the horse has a good chance of a complete recovery with little more than a change in the tendon's shape.
When a horse strains a tendon, it is a very serious injury that can cripple it for life if not treated properly. You cannot know too much when it comes to informing yourself about the injury of a strained tendon. In order to treat the horse for the best possible outcome, knowledge is key.
A bursa is a closed sac lined by a membrane that secretes a lubricating fluid. These sacs are located at strategic points between moving parts and act as cushions to prevent friction and chafing. Bursitis can range from a mild condition to one which becomes septic--the presence of infection. Trauma to a bursa--either a direct blow or the mechanical stress of racing--produces a painful swelling called acute bursitis. Acute bursitis causes lameness. There are several common locations, which are affected by acute bursitis.
Tendon strains are dreaded by performance horse owners the world over. A strained tendon can put a horse out of work for months. If the injury heals improperly or incompletely, the horse may never return to his previous level of soundness. Especially if the strain is severe, the tendon affected will be permanently weakened and prone to further injuries. Proper treatment immediately following an injury and during the subsequent months is critical if the horse is to recover from a strained tendon.
Bowed tendons are a serious problem for the horse owner. Any horse that works in a performance division--be it racing, jumping, dressage or working cattle--has the potential to bow a tendon. A bowed tendon is where a horse has injured a tendon, tearing it, so the tendon fibers "shred." When the legs heals, the tendon often has a "bowed" appearance. In treating a bowed tendon, it is helpful to know about water therapy, which is one of the key ingredients for a successful recovery.
Even the toughest equine athlete can be sidelined by a strained tendon. Most suspensory injuries are caused by overexertion, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, and often lameness. If the injury is serious, consult a vet. For minor pain and stiffness, a program of support therapy aided by the application of the counterirritant Reducine can help most horses regain soundness in weeks. The combination of anti-bacterial iodine and pine tar for reducing inflammation has made Reducine Absorbent a popular therapeutic tool for many trainers. Application takes only a few steps.
It is not uncommon for horses to get injured. A working horse is vulnerable to muscle and ligament strains and pulls like any human athlete. Unfortunately, they are unable to communicate in English exactly what their problem is. This lack of reasonable intelligent communication makes helping them extremely difficult. The owner has to guess based on the animal's behavior. The Sumerel Light Therapy System for Horses helps eliminate the problems inherent in the animal's inability to communicate.
The extensor tendon of a horse runs down the front of each cannon bone in the lower leg and allows the horse to extend the foot and lift the toe. Because the leg of a horse is so vascular (full of circulatory tissue), any injury to the tendon is prone to extensive bleeding and inflammation. Horses with extensor tendon injuries usually recover to a full riding life with proper home treatment and good veterinary care.
A horse's body and skeleton function much like a human's; each piece works in concert to generate movement. The combination of muscle, cardiovascular system, flesh, nervous system, cells, ligaments, tendons and skeleton works together to create the beast of beauty modern humans call the horse.
Bowed tendons are a fairly common affliction to horses. More often seen in horses that are used for athletic endeavors, bowed tendons are often diagnosed when the horse has pain in a limb and the muscle behind the leg is unusually hot to the touch (meaning it's hotter than the muscles in the other legs). Bowed tendons are treated in different stages.
Foals are delicate creatures. For animals that grow into such large, strong beasts, the foal can be a host for numerous problems and illnesses. One common issue foals encounter are problems with their leg alignment. Most of these problems are minor and will fix themselves with minimal intervention from people, but if your foal has contracted tendons, you may need to intervene.
Anyone who has ever owned young horses knows how prone they are to a condition that is commonly called shin splints. A horse with shin splints will have large bumps on the inside of the cannon bone. Although shin splints don't hurt after the first day or two (some horses don't go lame at all when they are popping a splint), the bumps are permanent and they detract from the horse's otherwise smooth leg.
Years ago, a horse with a bowed tendon was either euthanized or put out to pasture for the remainder of his life. Now you can treat a bowed tendon on a horse, and he may be able to continue his life as normal. Learn how to treat a bowed tendon on a horse by following these steps.
