Tendon injuries, particularly of the superficial digital flexor tendon, are among the most common and career-ending conditions in performance horses, requiring months of careful rehabilitation.
Tendon injuries cause significant acute pain and prolonged welfare consequences through lengthy rehabilitation. Horses on box rest experience frustration and psychological distress from confinement — they are highly motivated to move and socialise. Inadequate pain management during the acute phase compounds suffering. The rehabilitation process itself requires careful monitoring to avoid under-exercise (which weakens the healing tendon) or over-exercise (which risks re-rupture). Horses that re-injure a tendon face worse prognosis and often suffer through multiple failed attempts at recovery. Early diagnosis, appropriate analgesia, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols, and honest assessment of return-to-work prognosis are all essential welfare considerations.