Tendon injuries are among the most common and welfare-significant conditions in sport horses, requiring extended rehabilitation that balances healing with the behavioral needs of confined horses.
Tendon injury welfare presents a particular challenge because the healing process requires management that conflicts with the behavioral needs of horses as active, social animals. Prolonged box rest creates significant psychological stress including stereotypic behaviors and frustration. Gradual reintroduction to controlled exercise as healing progresses balances tissue repair requirements with behavioral welfare needs. Modern rehabilitation approaches using hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and gradual loading programs minimize confinement welfare costs while optimizing healing. The long duration of tendon rehabilitation means that welfare management of the healing horse is as important as the medical management of the injury itself.