Regular ultrasound assessment of healing tendons provides objective evidence for return-to-work decisions and prevents re-injury by ensuring rehabilitation progresses at a pace appropriate to actual tissue healing.
Tendon ultrasound monitoring represents an important welfare tool that prevents both the welfare cost of premature return to work and re-injury, and the welfare cost of unnecessarily prolonged box rest. Without objective monitoring, owners and trainers face pressure from financial and competitive considerations to return horses to work before healing is complete. Serial ultrasound provides evidence to support appropriate rehabilitation timelines and protect horses from well-intentioned but premature loading. The investment in regular ultrasound monitoring pays welfare and financial dividends through reduced re-injury rates.