Posted 2005-12-03 10:24 AM (#33706) Subject: Bowed Tendon
Member
Posts: 28
Location: Omaha, NE
I have 16.1 hand 6 year old Paint mare I use for fox hunting. She is very strong, very stout, in great shape and never been lame. Recently, we discovered a bowed tendon (still not lame). My Vet would like to do surgery, cutting the check ligament, followed with shock wave therapy. I am looking for advice with bowed tendons and recovery. I have heard that once a horse bows a tendon they are prone to rebow (bad genetics). I would ike to keep fox hunting her as she does a great job, looking for personal experiences with bowed tendons and treatments. Thank you.
Posted 2005-12-03 1:52 PM (#33709 - in reply to #33706) Subject: RE: Bowed Tendon
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378
Location: Nebraska
Recovery is actually very good with time off to recoup. In the old days vets used to "ping" horses for adequate recovery time. Shock wave treatments will aid in faster recovery by increasing blood flow to the area. Usually the cause is from fatigue, so she may not be athlete she once was.
Posted 2005-12-04 9:19 AM (#33729 - in reply to #33706) Subject: RE: Bowed Tendon
Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA
My horse had a slight bow in his tendon when he was 4. I gave him time off (about a month but it is much longer with a real bow) and use polo wraps instead of splint boots when working now. Shock therapy is very helpful! I don't think I would cut the ligament without getting another opinion from a large vet clinic.
Posted 2005-12-04 11:32 AM (#33733 - in reply to #33706) Subject: RE: Bowed Tendon
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR
Originally written by hayburner1 on 2005-12-03 10:24 AM
I have 16.1 hand 6 year old Paint mare I use for fox hunting. She is very strong, very stout, in great shape and never been lame. Recently, we discovered a bowed tendon (still not lame). My Vet would like to do surgery, cutting the check ligament, followed with shock wave therapy. I am looking for advice with bowed tendons and recovery. I have heard that once a horse bows a tendon they are prone to rebow (bad genetics). I would ike to keep fox hunting her as she does a great job, looking for personal experiences with bowed tendons and treatments. Thank you.
If she'd not lame I would avoid the surgery. Go for the rest, perhaps the shock treatment. I've rented Lazer machines for torn tendon's and cut the rehab in half.