Tendon injuries are common in sport horses and require prolonged rehabilitation. Managing welfare during months of restricted exercise requires creativity and careful planning.
Tendon injury management creates a welfare dilemma: the horse needs rest to heal but prolonged box rest causes significant behavioral and physical welfare problems. Box-rested horses develop frustration-related behaviors including weaving, box-walking, and wood-chewing. Muscle degeneration during enforced rest and the sudden exercise return during reintroduction phases creates injury risk. The prolonged nature of rehabilitation, often 12-18 months, creates sustained welfare challenges for both horse and owner. Managing tendon rehabilitation welfare requires providing mental stimulation during rest, appropriate social contact, adequate forage for behavioral occupation, and carefully graduated exercise progression.